Where be dragons! It has been well remarked by today’s educationalists that early active role-play develops imagination and social skills better than any other activity! This section is all about active, imaginative, enacting play - be that with historic roles or characters from favourite stories, like Peter Pan, Harry Potter, Gandalf and the like - its about shared personal make-believe worlds of adventure! To enable such play children need safe, robust toys like these; many will be treasured keepsakes long after the adventures of childhood are over.
Archer, Bowman Role-Play
Bow and arrows, for archers and more sets besides
This is where you’ll find sets from many of the sections we offer, all have been put together because the items relate to each other. We offer all of the things in these sets at 10% less than their individual prices. Our sets are the ideal way to buy for key stage educational projects, and of course as thoughtfully themed great fun gifts!
Classic Toys and Traditional Games
Inspired by real childhood favourites from the past. All are tactile, durable and great fun. Most of them are ideal as key stage one, two, and three educational aids. The games here are all traditional favourites or based on historic games. With the toys and games in this section, children of today can learn the childhood games that previous generations loved!
Heroic Knight and Warrior Role-Play
Heroic Night and Warrior Role-Play
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Historic Swords (Ancient British and Roman)
This period covers approximately from 1500BC-c.400AD. Britain changed greatly over this almost 2,000 year period. People became farmers and developed village society that then developed into a market town and trading port society. Then in 42AD the Romans came and much of Britain became an active part of Roman Europe for over 350 years.
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Historic Swords (Dark Ages and Early Medieval)
This period covers c.400AD-1100AD England, c.500AD-1200AD Scotland and Wales, c.700AD-1300AD Ireland. A so-called 'Dark Age' slowly came about over much of the British Isles from the C5thAD. This was the age that saw the Romano-British fallback to Cornwall, Wales and Cumbria where they steadfastly remained. Saxons had invaded the South East of Britain and Irish Pirates (the Scots) had invaded the North. Just when these new-comers had settled their lands, down from the cold North Sea came hoards of Scandinavian Pirates (the Vikings) who wanted more than gold, they wanted Britain! This period ends with yet another invasion this time from France, the Normans (who were descended from Vikings!). May be 'Dark Age' is the right name?
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Historic Swords (High and Late Medieval)
This period covers approximately c.1100AD-1500AD England and Wales, c.1200AD-1540AD Scotland, c.1300AD-1600AD Ireland. The High Middle Ages was the golden age of chivalry between the knightly classes, but it also saw the Kings of England contending with rebellious Barons, once in command they started imposing their rule over all of Great Britain. The great English King Edward I ruled Wales, Scotland, parts of Ireland and even areas of France. After Edward's death the future King and great statesman of the North, Robert Bruce, fought and gained freedom for Scotland. In the Late Middle Ages English armies were also full of Welsh soldiers, many of these soldiers became rich from the spoils of war in France, a war that lasted over 120 years. When the French finally won, the English and Welsh nobles warred amongst themselves, with Welsh and English on both sides - this was the bloody War of the Roses. The Middle Ages would end when a Welsh noble Henry Tudor won the last major battle.
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Historic Swords (Renaissance and Georgian)
This period covers c.1475AD-1835AD. The Tudor Kings of England and Wales developed their kingdoms power, but it was a Tudor Princess, Elizabeth I, who founded a sea going empire. This was the age of Shakespeare and New World exploits. With Elizabeth's death her cousin, James VI of Scotland, inherited the crown of England and Wales. This was the age of the Stuart Kings rulers over all of Great Britain. Their age saw religious oppression and political conflict turned three times into Civil War. Many British left for a better life in the New England colonies. After the Stuarts came the Georgians, whose kings (all called George) spoke German and also ruled lands in Germany. The New England settlers hated their German kings taxation and rebelled under the leadership of George Washington. They formed the United States of America. Sea heroes like Nelson turned the Georgian British Navy into the best in the World and within years Wellington did the same with the red-coated British army.
Sword and Shield History Projects
These ‘ready to play’ sword and shield packs are more than creative play or active role-play toys. Each pack becomes a key stage two and three history project with lots to make, do and discover! In each pack you will find the shield and sword, as well as a large and informative colouring poster, a large print rubbing sheet (with the chosen image of the shield) and a helpful information sheet to explain how to finish both shield and poster!
