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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 |
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With over 400 glowing reviews and a 4.9/5 Trustpilot rating, Historic Workshops continues to be the UK’s most trusted history workshop provider.
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We had a fantastic experience with Ed who delivered a brilliant toy workshop for the children. He was professional, friendly and incredibly well organised throughout. The children thoroughly enjoyed every moment and one boy even said 'Ed, you're the best!'. It was both fun and engaging. We'd love to have him back again in the future. Highly recommended! Jade, Year 1 Lead, Greenwood Primary School
Jade
Year 1 Lead / Greenwood Primary School
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