Toys and Play

Explore some of the collection of our toys and handling objects at the Horniman, in this learning resource.

Explore some of the toys and handling objects in our collections at the Horniman –  if you would like to make your own trails or worksheets tailored to your visit, many of the images and text below (and in our other resources) can be easily copied and pasted to your own design.

  • Perhaps use images from objects located in different galleries and in the gardens to create a challenge or simple trail through the Museum to find specific objects or places.
  • Use object images to encourage independent research, for instance, find out and write down three facts about an object or a group of objects. Alternatively, give facts or clues and challenge your pupils to identify mystery objects.
  • Set an alphabetical challenge to find or draw 26 objects, one for each letter of the alphabet.
  • Create a sketchbook challenge.

Gallery closure

Please note that our Natural History Gallery  is now closed as part of a major 2 year redevelopment, Nature + Love. The rest of our Galleries, displays and Gardens will be open as usual, with plenty across the site to support your topic (including our Music and World Galleries).

Due to the gallery closure, the ‘chimpanzee’ in this resource is no longer on display.

Images in this pack

Japanese doll’s house

Around the world, children have played with doll’s houses for hundreds of years, but doll’s houses were not always meant to be played with. The first doll’s houses were very expensive and decorated with valuable materials like silver and ivory! This doll’s houses was made thousands of miles away, in Japan.

Storyteller figure

This clay person has their mouth open because they are telling a story to the children sitting on their legs! Do you think all the children like the story? Not all stories are pretend and some can even help people to learn the history of their families. Storyteller dolls like this one are made by the Pueblo people of New Mexico. They are made to show how important the tradition of storytelling is to Pueblo tribes.

What is your favourite story? How does it make you feel?

Shadow puppets

These beautiful puppets are used to tell stories in Thailand, but an audience only sees their shadows! Puppeteers move them in front of bright lamps so that they block out the light and make shadows on a screen. Most of the puppets have been decorated with little holes that allow the light to shine through to make lovely patterns.

Who might these characters be? You can make shadow shapes with your hands, try to make some together!

Yoruba car

These colourful push-along cars were made in Nigeria from re-used cans and tins. Even the wheels are made of old can tops that turn as the car moves!

Have you ever made something out of rubbish? Why is it important to recycle?

Toy

Nature is fun to play with and, with a little imagination, you can make toys from almost anything. These acorns come from a country in the Pacific Ocean called Papua New Guinea. Children living there found these acorns and used them as spinning tops.

What other games could you play with them? Why not explore the Horniman’s Gardens for fallen seeds, leaves and twigs to play with?

Bows and arrows

Toys can help children to learn important new skills like counting, how to use their hands and teamwork. This special bow and arrow set was made for a boy called Sagai by his father, Kakanabia, so he could learn how to hunt. Sagai would’ve used this set to hunt for animals like lizards and birds in Papua New Guinea.

Have you learned anything from a toy?

Nesting doll

This wooden Russian doll is hiding a secret. She is hollow and opens into two pieces to reveal a smaller doll hidden inside. Inside her are 3 more dolls that get smaller and smaller and smaller as you open them. The first Russian doll was made in 1890 and was made of 8 different dolls! You can find dolls from many different countries in the Horniman’s World Gallery.

What are they made of? Who played with them? Why do they look different?

Sasara rattle

This sasara rattle was made in Japan. As someone bends it, small pieces of wood bang into each other, making a sound. Rattles can be made of anything that creates noise as it moves. Babies are often given rattles to play with because they are easy to shake, but adults use them too!

There are more than 40 rattles in the Horniman’s Music Gallery, how many rattles can you find? What are they made of? When are they played?

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are humans’ closest relatives and, just like us, their children love to play. Young chimpanzees have been seen making toys from things they found in the forest, and some even take care of sticks like dolls!

Which other animals play with toys? Do you like to play with animals?

Outdoor instruments

Musical instruments can be played in many different ways. Some can be hit with hands or sticks, some have strings that are plucked, and others are blown.

The instruments in the Horniman’s Music Garden work in different ways; how do you play them? Music is lots of fun to play with and can make people feel very happy. Can you and your friends create some music together?