|
|
|
Toys from the Past Workshop
NEW WORKSHOP – Launching September 2025!
Step back in time with our most enchanting and interactive KS1 workshop yet! From the moment your children enter the hall and a puppet show begins (before a single adult appears), they’ll be captivated by a magical day of history, role-play, and hands-on learning.
This brand-new workshop is a joyful celebration of toys from the past, cleverly woven together with live puppet performances throughout the day. Children will handle a huge selection of replica historical toys, explore how they were made and played with, and even run their own old-fashioned toy shop. They’ll investigate, play, sort, imagine—and even design and create their own toy to take home!
With three live puppet shows spaced throughout the day—including a chaotic, hilarious finale with water sprays, silly string and smoke—this isn’t just a workshop. It’s a full-day immersive experience children will never forget.
Perfectly aligned with the KS1 history curriculum, this workshop offers:
Designed for up to 4 classes in a single school day (9am–3pm) – perfect for a whole year group or key stage!
Sessions Include:
Puppet Show: The day begins with nothing but a mysterious puppet theatre in the hall. As the children settle, puppets suddenly burst into life--talking directly to the class with no adult in sight! Let the magic begin…
After the laughter dies down, the workshop leader appears to give a whistle-stop tour of puppet show history in Britain and a quick preview of the exciting day ahead.
Toy Investigation: Hands on from the start! Children explore a treasure trove of replica toys from the past—feeling, testing, and working out how they were played with and when they were made. Think: curiosity, problem-solving, and discovery in every pair of hands.
Toy Shop Role-Play: It’s the children’s turn to be the shopkeeper! Using play money and a selection of vintage toys, they’ll trade, play and switch roles in a brilliant blend of imaginative play and historical learning.
Puppet Show: Before lunch, it's time for another live puppet performance, with brand-new puppets and an all-new story to delight and surprise the children once again!
Then and Now Sorting Game: Working in small groups, children dive into a colourful selection of picture cards. Can they spot the old from the new? Can they guess when each toy first appeared in history? A fun and fast-paced way to build chronological understanding.
Design and Make Your Own Toy!: Back in the day, toys weren’t bought—they were made at home. Children learn about a traditional homemade toy, then design and build their own version to take home and treasure. A perfect mix of creativity and historical insight.
Puppet Show: The day ends with a puppet show like no other--water sprays, silly string, and clouds of smoke as the stage descends into joyful chaos! Expect belly laughs, wide eyes, and unforgettable memories to end the day with a bang.
Here is an example schedule of the day based on 1 class:
Step back in time with our most enchanting and interactive KS1 workshop yet! From the moment your children enter the hall and a puppet show begins (before a single adult appears), they’ll be captivated by a magical day of history, role-play, and hands-on learning.
This brand-new workshop is a joyful celebration of toys from the past, cleverly woven together with live puppet performances throughout the day. Children will handle a huge selection of replica historical toys, explore how they were made and played with, and even run their own old-fashioned toy shop. They’ll investigate, play, sort, imagine—and even design and create their own toy to take home!
With three live puppet shows spaced throughout the day—including a chaotic, hilarious finale with water sprays, silly string and smoke—this isn’t just a workshop. It’s a full-day immersive experience children will never forget.
Perfectly aligned with the KS1 history curriculum, this workshop offers:
- Engaging historical storytelling through live puppet theatre
- High-quality artefacts and replica toys for hands-on exploration
- Creative role-play and crafting opportunities
- A full day of rich learning--no travel needed!
-
Designed for up to 4 classes in a single school day (9am–3pm) – perfect for a whole year group or key stage!
Sessions Include:
Puppet Show: The day begins with nothing but a mysterious puppet theatre in the hall. As the children settle, puppets suddenly burst into life--talking directly to the class with no adult in sight! Let the magic begin…
After the laughter dies down, the workshop leader appears to give a whistle-stop tour of puppet show history in Britain and a quick preview of the exciting day ahead.
Toy Investigation: Hands on from the start! Children explore a treasure trove of replica toys from the past—feeling, testing, and working out how they were played with and when they were made. Think: curiosity, problem-solving, and discovery in every pair of hands.
Toy Shop Role-Play: It’s the children’s turn to be the shopkeeper! Using play money and a selection of vintage toys, they’ll trade, play and switch roles in a brilliant blend of imaginative play and historical learning.
Puppet Show: Before lunch, it's time for another live puppet performance, with brand-new puppets and an all-new story to delight and surprise the children once again!
Then and Now Sorting Game: Working in small groups, children dive into a colourful selection of picture cards. Can they spot the old from the new? Can they guess when each toy first appeared in history? A fun and fast-paced way to build chronological understanding.
Design and Make Your Own Toy!: Back in the day, toys weren’t bought—they were made at home. Children learn about a traditional homemade toy, then design and build their own version to take home and treasure. A perfect mix of creativity and historical insight.
Puppet Show: The day ends with a puppet show like no other--water sprays, silly string, and clouds of smoke as the stage descends into joyful chaos! Expect belly laughs, wide eyes, and unforgettable memories to end the day with a bang.
Here is an example schedule of the day based on 1 class:
| 1 Class Schedule.pdf |
|
|
With over 300 glowing reviews and a 4.9/5 Trustpilot rating, Historic Workshops continues to be the UK’s most trusted history workshop provider.