Resource created by York Museums Trust | Castle Museum
This resource explores old and new toys, how toys move, and the materials from which they are made
Curriculum Links
- KS1 Design & Technology: Explore and use mechanisms
- KS1 History: Changes within living memory - 'How are our toys different from those in the past?'
- KS1 Science: Distinguishing between objects and materials
Learning Objectives
- Knowledge of old and new toys and the materials they are made of
- Understanding of the differences between modern toys and toys from the past
- Skills to investigate how simple mechanisms work
Discussion Ideas
- What sort of materials are old toys made from?
- What are new toys made of?
- What do you think works well about the old toys?
- How would you change them?
- What sort of things can newer toys do that old toys can't?
- What makes a toy fun to play with?
- What can old toys tell us about children's lives in the past?
Activity Ideas
- D&T - Make a modern design for an old toy:
Pupils could take one of the toys pictured in this resource and create a design showing how they would change it to make it appeal to children today. They might consider:
- How could you make it more fun?
- What sort of features could you add?
Pupils could then present their design to the class and explain why they have made design choices.