Kid's stuff in Sweden

Ok, I just emailed this to an old friend. She wanted to learn about her son's swedish heritage to present in his school. It was fun to think about sweden for kids, so I thought I would just post it for you to browse:

First off, foodwise it is all about swedish meatballs (köttbullar). It is like a national pastime. They are served with a little gravy on top, lingonberry jam on the side and always with either boiled or mashed potatoes. You could skip the gravy with the kids and just have them dip the meatballs in the jam and see if they like it. Also, for every occasion there there are gingerbread cookies (pepparkakor). Especially around christmas, but really for any holiday or event they are always offered. Also, they love "bulle" a cardomon breakfast roll. This time of year they have there version of Fat Tuesday before Lent. Everyone in the country eats semla, which is a roll that is cut open, filled with whip cream and then the lid is placed back on top.

Kid's characterwise, Pippi Longstocking, by Astrid Lindgren, is like a god here. I never knew such a devotion to a character before. She is the reigning kid ruler. Also, by the same author is "Karlsson på taket". He lives on a roof in Vasastan, Stockholm and is very messy and self-obsessed. There are lots of stories about his antics. Also, other authors that are popular are "Alfie Atkins", by Gunilla Bergstrom. There are a whole bunch of stories, but the most popular are Good Night Alfie Atkins, and Very Tricky Alfie Atkins. Also, "Pettson and Findus", by Sven Nordqvist is very popular. There are about 5 different stories revolving around these two characters.

What else, for Christmas their Santa is called "Tomten", meaning elf (or "Jul tomten" meaning Christmas elf). He is looks more like an elf than a Santa and is really mischievious and sinister. He is always putting kids up to tricks and getting kids in trouble. Also, Santa comes to the children's houses, knocking on their front door, on Christmas eve in the afternoon and makes the children do these tricks or pranks and then they get a present. It is very different from our chimney version. The kids kind of have to earn the presents.

In the summer, there is Midsommar. This is on the summer solstice and I think is their biggest holiday. They raise a maypole and have traditional songs and dance. It is all about being outside and celebrating summer and the sun that never sets (there is about 2-3 hours of dark at this point and in the north it does not set at all).

Ok, last, just because it is this time of year. Easter (Påsk) is a big holiday for the Swedes. It is like Thanksgiving for us in that no one works for 4-5 days, and lots of stuff is going on around the country. But, for kids, this is when they dress up like witches and they go to neighbors and ask for candies and treats. So, it is like Halloween, but at Easter and everyone is a witch. So funny.

Ok, I almost forgot the most important kid food here. It is pancakes! They are a staple for every swedish kid. They are eaten at least once a week if not more. There is a tradition to eat them on Thursday with split pea soup, but for kids it is anyday, anytime. They are very thin and are served with jam and whip cream. Here is the recipe I have been using lately:

2+ tbsp butter, melted
4 eggs
1 c. water
1 c. milk
2 cups flour

blend and add more milk if it is not pretty thin. Ladle into a hot pan and tilt pan until the batter is thinly spread all over. It will cook quickly, flip and enjoy. They can be rolled with the jam and whip cream inside, or served open with the good stuff on top.

Yum, yum!