3 Great Ideas to Get the Kids Engaged in History

Our history is a fundamental part of who we are. Learning about the past helps us understand how events that happened before we were born made things the way they are today. Unfortunately, many children tend to think that studying history is boring, and that may well be the case if teaching this subject is approached in an uninspiring way. The trick with kids is to bring it to life!

As a parent or carer, you may have little influence over how history lessons happen at your child’s school. Not a problem – there are plenty of practical things you can do at the weekend or in the holidays to help your child develop a greater understanding of the past and their connection with it. Indeed, once interest has been sparked, many youngsters develop a true fascination with history, often turning it into a serious hobby.

We’ve put together some fun, interactive and entertaining ideas to help your child build a connection with British history that should leave them buzzing with excitement.

1.       Take a trip to visit a historic site or museum

If you really want to breathe life into history, there’s nothing like visiting a site where something important actually happened. Take Battle Abbey, for instance, which was built on the site of the Battle of Hastings, or the Roman Baths in the city of Bath, Stonehenge near Salisbury or Stirling Castle in Scotland. Failing that, a museum dedicated to a certain topic may be the next best thing. With so many historic attractions to choose from in the UK, there’s bound to be something near you that’s worth visiting.

In the London area, you’ll be spoilt for choice. How about a day trip to the Tower of London which has been both a royal residence and a feared prison, and still houses the crown jewels. The British Museum’s Egyptology collection, including the famous mummies, are definitely worth a visit, and Hampton Court Palace gives a fascinating insight into Henry VIII’s Tudor times. And if you’re worried about the cost of taking the kids to London, you’ll be pleased to hear that many attractions are free.

Military museums are dotted all over the country. The Imperial War Museum, for instance, has sites in London, at Duxford near Cambridge and in Manchester, and the RAF Museum can be found in Cosford/Shropshire. Or take a trip to the South Coast to visit the Royal Marines Museum and Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth, or to Scotland to see the National War Museum in Edinburgh. Check out the top 10 here.

The best museums or historic sites have interactive exhibits to keep kids interested. From tactile displays to computer animated videos, treasure hunts, games and quizzes, it all helps to immerse children in experiential learning.

2.       Take part in a historical activity

Visiting a museum or site of historic significance is an excellent start for children of all ages to learn about a topic outside of the classroom, be it the Ancient Greeks or Romans, the Kings and Queens of England, or the two World Wars. However, if you want to take it one step further, try one of these immersive living museums that transport visitors to different periods via tasteful exhibits and fantastic role-playing. There are demonstrations, classes, historical re-enactments and wandering actors to make you feel like you’ve really stepped back in time!

Younger children will love the idea of dressing up and many venues encourage kids to come dressed in historical costume including National Trust properties such as Petworth House in West Sussex, Sutton Hoo in Suffolk and Castle Ward in County Down. Why not use your children’s natural enthusiasm for fancy dress and help them really play the part? It’s a great starting point to feel how people lived during, say, Victorian, Tudor or even Roman times, including the social hierarchies of the period.

The idea of taking part, of putting yourself in the shoes of a person from the past, can take many forms, and the extent of participation and suitability of activities will depend on the age of the child. For teenagers, what could be more thrilling than experiencing a real-life spitfire flight and seeing the world from the perspective of a World War II pilot? Or how about getting busy in the wartime kitchen, preparing a meal under ‘rationing’ conditions? There’s a free wartime recipe booklet you can download here.

3.       Do your own family research

The strongest connection to our history and events is forged via personal stories in our own families, so it’s a great idea to start there. Interviewing the older generation could be as simple as asking Grandma and Grandad about the war – there may be a rich font of knowledge there just waiting to be tapped into.

Encourage your children to ask grandparents and other elders about their experiences of what their life was like when they were little. Perhaps they remember the Blitz, being evacuated, food rationing, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II or other memorable events? Perhaps they remember their immediate family, their home (outside toilets!), their schooling and the town they grew up in. It all adds up to painting a picture of what life was like when they were young, and one that is directly related to them.

For older children and teenagers, it can also be an exciting and intensely personal experience to research their family tree. Tracing back an ancestral line through the generations can be hard work and much information may be lost. However, any insights gleaned will be absolutely fascinating, as anyone who has ever watched the BBC’s ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ will agree. Why not start a family project with your child to find out about their/your past, strengthen their sense of identity and forge a personal connection to history? Here’s a free guide to help get started, and there’s a wide selection of subscription websites that can be immensely helpful too.