Toys and Puppets Around the World
Children will explore the mechanisms, materials, and uses of toys: from a Zimbabwean push-along drummer, to a Russian pendulum toy, to Guatemalan worry dolls, and use a transforming doll to tell the story of Little Red Riding Hood together.
The Horniman is the perfect place to explore your topic further. Explore our incredible World Gallery, with toys and puppets- both traditional and modern- from across the world. Explore how toys are used to create music in our Music Gallery too!
Please note that our Natural History Gallery is now closed as part of a major two-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). Our schools workshops are unaffected.
We will be opening a new, free temporary exhibition about the natural world, animals and their habitats, in September 2024.
Learning Outcomes
- Pupils will be able to recall some of the countries that the different toys come from.
- Pupils will be able to demonstrate how different toys work.
- Pupils will be able to identify different materials that toys are made from, including recycled materials.
- Pupils will be able to describe some of the ways in which toys can be used.
Resources
Workshop information
How to book
Booking a taught session includes a welcome briefing on arrival, timed access to a lunch space, cloakroom facilities and access to toilets for the exclusive use of school groups.
Contact us to make a booking:
schools@horniman.ac.uk
020 8291 8686
When you contact us please have ready:
– the name of the taught session you would like to book or topic you are studying,
– 1st/2nd/3rd choice of date and preferred session time,
– the number of pupils and adults attending.
Costs
Entrance to the Horniman Museum and Gardens is free of charge. Taught sessions and access to some exhibitions are charged for. We invoice after your visit.
The following charges apply:
Mainstream State schools: £90 including VAT, £75 excluding VAT
Private/independent schools: £129.60 including VAT, £108 excluding VAT
SEND schools and groups: £45 including VAT, £37.25 excluding VAT
We offer a bursary scheme for schools that meet a set criteria.
Planning your visit
See the School Trips page for other essential information including our risk assessment.
We are open from 10am-5.30pm. Entrance to the Museum and Gardens is free of charge but must be booked in advance by emailing schools@horniman.ac.uk.
We offer reduced educational rates for our Aquarium, Butterfly House, and Temporary exhibition. See the School Trips page for further information.
Charges apply to all children aged 3 years and over, and all accompanying teachers and adults, unless they are specific 1:1 carers.