Teaching sessions
The Museum runs a wide variety of teaching sessions for Early Years through to Year 7, all of which incorporate elements of the National Curriculum. The sessions, most of which last one hour, are designed for primary schools and include cross-curricular targets. Themes include Moving Toys and Toys from the Past. On arrival, school groups are met by one of our Activity Assistants, allocated storage, shown the Museum's facilities and given confirmation of a lunch slot (if requested). All sessions take place in the Clore Learning Centre on the Lower Ground Floor.
SEN resource bags
SEN resource bags tailored to pupils with special educational needs are available to school groups. Example contents include moving and sensory toys, simple games and a large-print storybook. Resource bags can be reserved when booking a self-guided visit or teaching session.Museum quiet days
One day a term is set aside for groups with special educational needs. For more information, visit SEN.More information on each of the Museum's teaching sessions
Early Years (30 minutes, £40)
A teaching session designed for Early Years (under 5s). Visit five toy stations to sort, match, build, arrange and play.Young Curators (Reception and Year 1, 1 hour, £60)
The Curator has disappeared and we need you to help us! This delightful session allows younger pupils to explore, interact and learn new things about our toys and the Museum.Download more information (.pdf)
Pop Ups and Puppets (Years 1, 2 and 3, 1 hour, £60)
A fun and colourful session exploring how puppets work, including an opportunity to make a puppet to take home.Download more information (.pdf)
Moving Toys (Years 1, 2 and 3, 1 hour, £60)
Explore materials, forces, and mechanisms in a fun, hands-on session.Download more information (.pdf)
A Trip to the Seaside (Years 1, 2 and 3, 1 hour, £60)
A fun-filled hands-on session looking at how a day trip to the seaside in Victorian times differs from that of today.Download more information (.pdf)
Toys on a Timeline (Years 1, 2 and 3, 1 hour, £60)
Find out how the toys pupil's parents and grandparents played with are different to those of today.Download more information (.pdf)
Toys from the Past (Years 1, 2 and 3, 1 hour, £60)
Find out about toys from the past and how they are different to those of today.Download more information (.pdf)
Clothes from the Past (Years 2 and 3, 1 hour, £60)
Find out more about the clothes that children wore in the past with this informative hands-on session.Download more information (.pdf)
Mechanical and Moving Toys (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6, 1 hour / 90 minutes, £60 / £90)
Explore materials, forces, and mechanisms and make your own colourful moving toy with this fun, hands-on session. Please note: the 90 minute session includes an additional 30 minute workshop.Download more information (.pdf)
Children of the 1940s (Years 4, 5 and 6, 1 hour, £60)
What was it really like for children living through World War II? Children of the 1940s investigates five children who had very different experiences of the Second World War.Download more information (.pdf)
Investigating Victorian Children (Years 6 and 7, 1 hour, £60)
A crime has been committed! Search for clues, using historical evidence and records, to put together character profiles of the suspect children, then decide who is guilty.Download more information (.pdf)
Essential reading before booking
For more information and how to book visit Booking and enquiries
Download and read the Risk identification guidelines (95KB .pdf)
Download and read the Code of Behaviour (100KB .pdf) in advance of your visit
Download and read the School bookings guidelines (103KB .pdf) before submitting a request
Download the School bookings request form (144KB .pdf)
