Vikings Experience Day Workshop

Classroom Adventures

In our Vikings Experience Day Ottar, a trader from Norway, has travelled to the land of the Angles and Saxons in search of trade. He will take your pupils on a journey through 9th century northern Europe where they will discover what life was for the people from Scandinavia, the people we now often refer to as Vikings.

Of course, it is not so clear cut. The world of the Vikings is full of different people; warriors and kings, farmers and traders, noblemen and slaves, husbands and wives all had different parts to play in Viking society.

Were they simply a bunch of bullish ragged barbarians from uncivilised wastelands? Or was there a lot more to this culture than meets the eye? Their ability to co-ordinate expeditions and conquer foreign lands mean that perhaps their story is an interesting one to tell!

Children will step into this world through myth and legend and understand the stories which shaped these people's world. Then, stepping into the real world, they will meet a Norse family and learn about the life that each person lives. Over the course of the day the stories will gradually weave in and out of each other and we will find ourselves travelling to distant lands. Some might be friendly, some not. Children which learn the choices that Scandinavian peoples faced in the Middle-Ages as Christianity took hold of Europe.

In this day your pupils will be the story as they role-play the lives of people just trying to survive in a harsh world. They will learn about life for those who travelled, and the lives of those who stayed behind, keeping the homestead running. We will explore the roles of men and women, religion and the law to bring the topic of the Vikings to life.

Can your pupils survive in the 9th century? Can they hold the shield wall? We look forward to meeting them to find out...

Where we travel to

We can visit your school in: East Midlands, West Midlands, London & South East, East of England, South West

What activities are available during this school workshop?

In this exciting and immersive Vikings Experience Day children will get to be the story as they act out and play the different stories of people who we now often refer to as Vikings.

In the day pupils will:
- Experience some of myths and legends that formed the backbone of Norse religious beliefs.
- Role-play the lives of everyday people in 9th century Nordic society.
- Play a real 9th century Viking game.
- Decide the fate of lawbreakers.
- Hold the shield wall in battle.

Plus, much more...

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.

Languages Workshop

In our Vikings Experience Day children will get to experience snippets of the Old English and Old Norse languages in a variety of contexts. In no time at all they will be following simple instructions in Old Norse to complete actions and manoeuvres.

Pupils will learn etymology throughout the day as they discover words that are the same or similar to ones they use today.

Vikings Workshop Click to expand

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

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 aimed at mainstream schools from 1 - 4 form entry (30 - 120 children).

We can cater to pretty much any size group. We just need a clear hall with enough space for all of the children, us and our equipment, and enough room to move around with the activities.

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?

In order to deliver our exciting Vikings Experience Day, we simply require the following:

- secure onsite parking (either in a car park or on a playground)
- a clear hall with two trestle tables
- sufficient staffing to be with the children for the duration of the day

Who are Classroom Adventures?

Classroom Adventures has been providing educational experiences and events since 2016. Its members have varied backgrounds and interests including: organ building, biomedical science, furniture making, vaccine development, historical re-enactment, Morris dancing and more...