Vikings Experience Day Workshop

Classroom Adventures

Today, you're stepping into the world of the Vikings- 9th-century northern Europe.

You'll meet Ottar, a trader from Norway, who has travelled across the seas to the lands of the Angles and Saxons in search of trade. Through his stories, you'll journey across Scandinavia and beyond, discovering what life was really like for the people we now often call Vikings.

You'll quickly discover that the Viking world is far from simple. It's made up of many different people: warriors and kings, farmers and traders, craftspeople and enslaved people, husbands and wives - all with different roles to play in society.

Were the Vikings simply raiders from uncivilised lands? Or was there far more to their world than the stories suggest?

As the day unfolds, you'll step into Viking life through myth and legend, exploring the stories that shaped belief and identity. Then you'll move into the real world, meeting a Norse family and learning how everyday life worked - who travelled, who stayed behind, and how households survived in a harsh environment.

Your journey will take you to distant lands. Some encounters will be peaceful; others less so. Along the way, you'll explore the choices Scandinavian peoples faced as Christianity spread across Europe, challenging older beliefs and traditions.

Throughout the day, you'll become part of the story, role-playing the lives of people trying to survive, trade, defend their homes, and make difficult decisions in an uncertain world. You'll explore the roles of men and women, religion and law, and what it meant to belong to a Viking community.

When the moment comes, will you be ready?

Can you hold the shield wall?

Where we travel to

We can visit your school in:

What activities are available during this school workshop?

Our Vikings Experience Day is a full-day, immersive workshop where pupils don't just learn about the Vikings - they become part of the story.

Activities typically include:

- Myths and legends
Exploring Norse stories and beliefs that shaped Viking religion and worldview.

- Everyday life role-play
Taking on the roles of people living in 9th-century Scandinavian society.

- Viking games
Playing real historical games used for entertainment and skill-building.

- Law and justice
Deciding the fate of lawbreakers and exploring how Viking law worked.

- Warfare and defence
Learning how Viking warriors fought and working together to hold the shield wall.

Which curriculum topics do we cater for?

Drama Workshop

In our Vikings Experience Day, children have the opportunity to "be part of the story" as they role-play and act out stories and historical events throughout the day.

Participation is light-hearted and fast paced as the difference scenes and activities weave throughout the day.

Vikings Workshop

Invaders and Settlers Viking Raids and Invasion Viking Trade Mythology and Culture

Click to read full text In our Vikings Experience Day children will get to experience the world of the Vikings as they role-play the stories of everyday people to bring them to life.

They will discover the myths and legends that underpinned their culture including the creation myth, various gods (such as Thor, Freya and Odin) and the destiny of the gods Ragnarok.

They will experience many different aspects of 9th century Nordic Culture, from family and farming to war, religion and law.

In this immersive experience day children will:
- Get to see and hold real (replica) weapons and armour of the period.
- Learn about trade and get to touch some of the things that 9th century traders would sell
- See if they have what it takes to hold the shield wall in battle practice.
- Play a real Viking game.
- Learn about pagan mythology and that interacted with Medieval Christianity

Plus, much more...

Archaeology Workshop

In our Vikings Experience Day children will discover how we find out about the past as they see replicas of artefacts found in archaeological excavations. Some of these items are fairly obvious, however some are a little more open to interpretation, and the children get to explore some of their own ideas...

What size groups do we cater for?

Our Vikings Experience Day is suitable for mainstream KS2 classes, from single-form entry to four-form entry (approximately 30-120 pupils).

We can accommodate a wide range of group sizes, provided there is:

- a clear hall with sufficient space for movement-based activities
- appropriate staffing to remain with pupils throughout the day

Access for visitors with disabilities

Our days are aimed to be fun and engaging for all.

Our only requirement is that you/your organisation provide the relevant staffing and equipment needed to facilitate any individual's participation.

Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Our days are aimed to be fun and engaging for all. Our only requirement is that you/your organisation provide the relevant staffing and equipment needed to facilitate any individual's participation. You must also be aware that we will be bringing various props and equipment with us that are integral to the content of the day. Many of these can cause injury if used incorrectly. Therefore, safety and safeguarding is of upmost concern and we may not be able to deliver a day if behaviour is dangerous or staffing levels are insufficient.

Anything else?

To deliver a high-quality, immersive Vikings Experience Day, we require:

- secure on-site parking
- exclusive use of a school hall for the duration of the day
- two trestle tables
- sufficient staff to remain with pupils throughout the workshop

(These requirements allow us to deliver a safe, structured, full-day experience.)

Who are Classroom Adventures?

- Designed for learning, not just entertainment
Every experience day is carefully structured to support KS2 history objectives, encouraging enquiry, discussion, and critical thinking alongside enjoyment.

- Immersive, full-day experiences
We don't deliver short workshops or assemblies. Each visit is a complete day of learning, allowing pupils time to explore ideas in depth and fully engage with the period.

- Led by costumed historical interpreters
Pupils learn from knowledgeable facilitators who bring history to life through storytelling, discussion, and hands-on activities - not scripts or performances.

- Hands-on, object-based learning
Pupils see and handle replica artefacts, tools, weapons, and equipment, helping them make tangible connections with the past.

- Inclusive and adaptable
Our days are designed to be accessible, with flexibility built in to support a wide range of pupils and school settings.

- Clear structure and professional delivery
We work alongside school staff, maintaining high standards of behaviour, safety, and safeguarding throughout the day.

- Experience you can trust
Classroom Adventures' staff have been delivering educational experience days since 2016, working with schools across the UK to provide high-quality, memorable learning.