Fierce, Fearless, and Far-Traveling: Discover the Vikings

You’ve probably seen the Vikings in movies or cartoons — roaring warriors with horned helmets, sailing stormy seas, and fighting dragons. But the real story of the Vikings is just as incredible, and there’s a lot more to it than you might think.

If you’re curious about how people lived long ago, what it meant to explore without a map, or how ancient legends can shape history, you’re about to step into the world of the Vikings — and it’s full of adventure.

Who Were the Vikings?

The Vikings were seafaring people from Scandinavia — the countries we now call Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. They lived over a thousand years ago, during a time called the Viking Age (from around 793 to 1066 AD). It all began with a daring raid on an English monastery and ended with one of their last battles in 1066.

But Vikings didn’t just raid and fight. They also sailed far across the world, traded goods, built homes, and told amazing stories. Some even settled in places as far away as Greenland, Iceland, and North America — long before explorers like Columbus set sail.

Read more about the Viking Age on Wikipedia

What Was Daily Life of the Vikings Like?

If you lived in a Viking village, your day would be full of action. You’d help with farming, cooking, or building. Vikings grew grains like barley and oats, raised animals, and built longhouses — large wooden homes where entire families lived together.

You wouldn’t go to school like today, but you’d learn by doing — watching your parents, listening to stories, and practicing real-life skills. You might learn how to sew or carve wood, or how to sail and hunt.

Were the Viking Women Warriors?

You might have heard of shieldmaidens — brave Viking women who fought in battle. No one knows for sure how many women actually fought, but new discoveries suggest that some Viking women were warriors, or at least leaders. Viking women had more freedom than most women in other parts of the world at the time. They could own land, run farms, and even ask for a divorce.

Did the Vikings Really Wear Horned Helmets?

Not quite! The idea of horned helmets came from old operas and costume designers. Real Viking helmets were made for protection, not style. They were usually made from iron or leather — no horns in sight.

But that doesn’t mean Vikings weren’t tough. In battle, they used axes, swords, and round shields, and often stood side by side in a shield wall — a strong defense that helped them move and fight as a team.

The Great Viking Explorers

One of the most amazing things about the Vikings was how far they traveled. Using the sun, stars, and ocean currents, they navigated across seas without GPS or even a map. Leif Erikson, one of the most famous Vikings, sailed all the way to North America around the year 1000 — nearly 500 years before Columbus.

Vikings weren’t the only ancient explorers with incredible navigation skills. You can also read about the Polynesian Wayfinders, masters of the ocean who used wind, waves, and stars to cross the Pacific long before modern tools were invented.

Read our article on ancient Polynesian wayfinding here

Learn more about Viking exploration from the National Museum of Denmark

Why the Vikings Still Matter

Vikings were more than warriors. They were explorers, builders, and dreamers. They shaped the world through their travels, their stories, and the way they lived close to nature. Their legacy lives on in the languages we speak, the places we live, and even the myths we still tell.

When you read about the Vikings, you’re learning more than just history — you’re learning how people once lived without electricity, cars, or modern tools. You’re discovering how they solved problems, built communities, and made their mark on the world.

Explore More in the June Issue of MiniMag

If you want to learn even more about the Vikings, you can read the full feature in the June 2025 issue of MiniMag. You’ll:

• Explore Viking myths and legends

• Take a tour through a Viking longhouse

• Learn how Viking ships were built and sailed

• Try out Viking-themed puzzles and activities

Read the full issue now and keep the adventure going!