World War II Experience Day Workshop
Classroom Adventures
Step Back in Time to World War IIYou wake to the wail of air raid sirens. It's only a half-sleep because, night after night, the Luftwaffe may pay a visit with their incendiary bombs. Fear is familiar now, but it never quite goes away. Your family is up, and you move quietly through the darkness, following the procedures you've rehearsed for weeks. Lights are forbidden-any glow could give "Jerry" the target he needs.
You hope for the reassuring sound of the "all clear." One thing you'll never get used to is being crammed into tight spaces with dozens of strangers.
The Second World War is full of remarkable stories of courage, resilience, and everyday heroism. Everyone had a role to play, even children, who could help as runners, messengers, or assistants to wardens and emergency services.
In this immersive World War II Experience Day, your pupils step back to 1940s Britain, where life was dominated by the war effort and the fight for survival.
The day begins with a look at the events leading to WWII, including Dunkirk and Operation Sealion, the planned invasion of Britain. Then, children are transported into Blackout Britain, meeting Air Raid Precaution (ARP) Wardens and discovering the real objects issued to them during the war.
Throughout the day, pupils explore the roles of the Home Guard (Dad's Army), the Women's Land Army, espionage, and civilian life, hearing stories of real people who lived through the conflict.
By the end of the day, children will have experienced the highs and lows of wartime Britain. Can they hold their nerve and do their bit for the war effort?
Where we travel to
We can visit your school in:
What activities are available during this school workshop?
Our World War II Experience Day is a full-day, immersive workshop combining role-play, discussion, physical activity, and object-based learning.
Activities typically include:
- Historical role-play
Stepping into the shoes of children, wardens, Home Guard members, and civilians to bring real stories of wartime Britain to life.
- Air raid experience
Practising blackout procedures, following wartime safety rules, and discovering what life was like during an air raid.
- Home Guard training
Learning skills used to defend Britain, including teamwork, signalling, and problem-solving under pressure.
- Artefacts and equipment
Seeing and handling genuine objects from the 1940s, from ARP gear to civilian tools, and understanding how they were used.
- Entertainment and leisure
Exploring wartime games, music, and dances enjoyed by children and adults during the 1940s.
- Decoding and Morse code
Testing observational and communication skills by deciphering secret messages used in wartime.
Activities typically include:
- Historical role-play
Stepping into the shoes of children, wardens, Home Guard members, and civilians to bring real stories of wartime Britain to life.
- Air raid experience
Practising blackout procedures, following wartime safety rules, and discovering what life was like during an air raid.
- Home Guard training
Learning skills used to defend Britain, including teamwork, signalling, and problem-solving under pressure.
- Artefacts and equipment
Seeing and handling genuine objects from the 1940s, from ARP gear to civilian tools, and understanding how they were used.
- Entertainment and leisure
Exploring wartime games, music, and dances enjoyed by children and adults during the 1940s.
- Decoding and Morse code
Testing observational and communication skills by deciphering secret messages used in wartime.
Which curriculum topics do we cater for?
World War Workshop
Rationing The Home Front Air Raids Blitz and Battle of Britain Women in wartime War Propaganda Technological developments War and the British Empire How and why the War started Evacuation Drills and Marches World War II
Click to read full text In our immersive World War II Experience Day children will get to step into the world of those who lived and served throughout the Second World War.
They will experience the highs, the lows, the troubles and the ingenuity that people faced every day during this period.
In this day children will learn:
- some of the contributing factors that led to the Second World War
- about some of the many roles that people played to do their bit
- about Air Raids and what to do
- what to do if an incendiary bomb hits your house
- how to send messages in morse code
- some of the roles that women played
They will also get to:
- perform drill in Home Guard Training
- experience an air raid
- learn a real 1940's dance
- decode and decipher messages
- see (and sometimes handle) real artefacts from the Second World War
Dance Workshop
In our World War II 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.
What size groups do we cater for?
Our World War II 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
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 experience 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.
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 World War II 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.)
- 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.
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