Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Grandparent Toy Museum: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Grandparent Toy Museum is a free printable history worksheet for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Children ask a grandparent or older relative about the toys they loved when they were small. Then they draw one of those toys and one of their own in two museum frames, and compare them. It needs only a pencil. Page 2 gives the grown up notes, help, a stretch idea and answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children start by asking a grandparent or older relative about a toy from their own childhood. The questions cover a favourite toy, what it was made of, where it was played with and who gave it. There are lines for writing and boxes for drawing or notes. Then children draw that toy in the frame called Their toy long ago, draw one of their own in the frame called My toy today, and compare the two.
- What was your favourite toy when you were little?
- What was it made of?
- Where did you play with it?
- Who gave it to you?
- Their toy long ago
- My toy today
Why start history with toys?
History for young children starts with people they know. A grandparent's childhood is a good first step into the past, because the stories come from someone sitting right beside them. Key Stage 1 history includes finding out about changes within living memory, and asking and answering questions about the past. Toys make this easy, because every child has opinions about them.
Toys also show how everyday life changes. They can be made from many materials, such as wood, metal, cloth and plastic, and the materials people use change over time. Comparing a toy from long ago with a toy today gives children something real to look at, describe and talk about. It also reminds them that older people were children once, and they played too.
Fun facts about toys and museums
- People have played with toys for a very long time. Children in the distant past had toys too.
- A museum looks after old objects so that people can see them and learn about the past.
- Many museum objects have a label. The label says what the object is and gives a few facts about it.
- Toys can be made from many different materials, such as wood, metal, cloth and plastic.
- A grandparent's childhood is within living memory. That means someone alive today can tell you what it was like.
Skills and curriculum link
- Asking questions
- Listening to answers
- Drawing from description
- Comparing old and new
- Talking about the past
Helping your child ask good questions
- Start with the sheetRead the questions aloud first. Let your child ask them in their own words, even if the wording changes.
- Ask for moreIf the answer is short, try "What did it look like?" or "What did it feel like to hold?" Details give children more to draw.
- Use time wordsWords like long ago, now, before and after help children place a toy in the past. Use them as you talk.
- Look closelyWhen the toy is drawn, look at it together. Talk about its shape, size, colours and any parts that move.
Key words
- MuseumA place that looks after old and interesting objects so people can learn from them.
- GalleryA room or space where things are put on show for visitors to look at.
- PastThe time before now. It can be last week or a very long time ago.
- PresentThe time that is happening now.
- CompareLook at two things and say what is the same and what is different.
- LabelA small card that tells you what an object is.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Find a grandparent or older relative to talk to. Read the questions aloud and let your child ask them.
- Write or draw the answers in the spaces. A grown up can scribe if writing slows the conversation down.
- Draw the old toy in the first frame and a toy of your own in the second. Then say what is the same and what is different.
- Check the notes on page 2. Come back another day and ask a different relative. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Let the grown up scribe the answers while your child listens and asks. The child can then focus on drawing the toys and saying the comparison aloud. Ask the grandparent to describe the toy slowly, and draw one part at a time.
To stretch confident children
Add a museum label beside each frame. Write the toy's name, what it is made of and roughly how old it is. A grown up can help to work out the age. Then read your labels aloud like a museum guide.
Make it a game
Display the finished frames on a wall and hold a pretend gallery opening. Visitors walk round and guess which toy is old and which is new. They must give one reason for each guess.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child draws the old toy but it looks just like their own toy, because they have never seen one like it.
Try thisAsk the grandparent to describe it. Cover the shape, size, colour and any parts that move. Draw one detail at a time and check it with them.
Watch forThe grandparent cannot remember a toy, or who gave it to them.
Try thisAsk about a different toy or an outdoor game instead. Any toy they remember well will work for the museum.
Watch forThe comparison only says that one toy is old and one is new.
Try thisAsk, "What is the same? What is different?" Look at the shape, size, colour and what each toy does.
Talk about it
- What would you like to ask a grandparent about when they were little?
- Why do you think a museum keeps old things?
- Which of your toys would you put in a museum, and why?
- How is the old toy different from your toy today?
- Is there anything that is the same about them?
- What would a visitor to your museum want to know?
Take it off the page
Toy interview
Interview a different relative or family friend about a toy they remember. Make a short list of what they say and draw the toy.
Class museum
Gather a few toys from home and set them out on a table. Make a label for each one and give a tour to the family.
Old and new sort
Sort toys at home into two piles, ones that look old and ones that look new. Ask your child to explain how they chose.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go and let them lead the questions. If you are the grown up being asked, take your time and describe your toy slowly. This is a lovely way to share your own childhood.
Teachers
Use it as a starter for a topic on toys or changes within living memory, or as a homework task that involves families. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Pair it with books about toys and a visit to a local museum if you can. Children can interview more than one relative and make a gallery of the results. Print again for brothers and sisters.
Where this fits in history learning
Before this sheet, children need to talk about their own lives and families. Words like old, new, before and now help them to describe time. Simple chats about family photos and favourite objects are good preparation.
After this sheet, children can compare other everyday things over time, such as homes, clothes and schools. Later in Key Stage 1, they learn about events beyond living memory and the lives of significant people. Asking questions about the past is a skill they will use throughout.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Grandparent Toy Museum for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Slightly younger children can join in if a grown up scribes, and Year 2 children can use the stretch idea to make it harder.
- What will children practise?
Children practise asking questions, drawing from description and comparing past and present. The topic is history, seen through toys. Listening to a relative's answers is part of the skill too.
- Who should the child ask?
A grandparent or older relative is ideal. A family friend, neighbour or teacher can also answer, if no grandparent is nearby. Any adult who remembers a toy from their childhood can take part.
- What if the grandparent lives far away?
Children can still take part. A phone or video call lets the grandparent answer the questions, or a letter can be sent. Another older relative or friend nearby can answer instead.
- Is it free to print?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or another group of children whenever you like.
- Is it suitable for teachers to use in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has support and stretch ideas.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can add colour to their drawings with pencils or crayons if they would like to.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.