Vikings

The Vikings lived long ago in a cold part of Europe called Scandinavia. This area is now Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. They were famous for sailing the seas in long wooden boats. Vikings were farmers, traders, and fierce fighters. Their time in history is called the Viking Age. It lasted from about the year 793 to 1066.

Longships and Sailing

Vikings built amazing boats called longships. The boats were long, thin, and very fast. They could sail on the open sea and also up small rivers. A longship had one big square sail and many oars. Vikings used these ships to travel far from home. They sailed to places like England, France, and even North America. That is a long trip with no maps or engines!

Daily Life and Beliefs

Most Vikings were not fighters. They were farmers who grew crops and raised animals. They lived in long houses made of wood and mud. Families shared one big room with a fire in the middle. Vikings loved stories about gods like Odin and Thor. They thought brave warriors went to a great hall called Valhalla after they died. Kids helped with chores and played with wooden toys.

Fun Facts

• Vikings did not really wear horned helmets. That idea came from a play made long after the Viking Age ended.
• A Viking named Leif Erikson reached North America about 500 years before Christopher Columbus did.
• Our days Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are named after Viking gods Odin, Thor, and Frigg.

Did You Know?

Vikings used the sun and stars to find their way across the ocean. They may have even used special crystals called sunstones to spot the sun on cloudy days!