KS2 Stone Bronze & Iron Ages Activities

Journey Through Prehistoric Britain with Eight Hands-On History Activities

Transport your KS2 students back in time with this comprehensive Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages resource featuring eight engaging activities that bring prehistoric Britain to life through archaeology, art, and hands-on exploration.

Eight Complete Activities Included:

1. Archaeology: Become history detectives! Learn how archaeologists uncover the past by investigating artefacts, understanding excavation techniques, and discovering how we know about people who lived thousands of years ago
2. Timeline: Create a visual timeline spanning from the Stone Age through the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, understanding the chronology of prehistoric Britain and how life changed over thousands of years
3. Stone Tools: Explore how Stone Age people created and used tools from flint and stone! Investigate different tool types, their purposes, and what they reveal about early human ingenuity and survival
4. Cave Paintings: Discover the incredible art of our prehistoric ancestors! Learn about famous cave paintings like those at Lascaux and create your own prehistoric-inspired artwork using natural pigments and techniques
5. Cave Paintings Activity Sheet: Reinforce learning with engaging worksheets that explore the meaning, methods, and materials used in prehistoric cave art
6. Stone Circles Video: Investigate mysterious stone circles like Stonehenge! Watch educational videos and explore theories about why these incredible monuments were built and how prehistoric people constructed them
7. Pottery: Experience Bronze Age technology by creating coil pottery using techniques that haven't changed for thousands of years, understanding how pottery revolutionized food storage and cooking
8. Weaving: Learn Iron Age textile skills by creating woven pieces, discovering how people made cloth and understanding the importance of weaving in prehistoric communities

Why Teachers Choose This Resource:

• Curriculum-Aligned: Fully supports KS2 History objectives for changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age
• Hands-On History: Practical activities that make prehistoric life tangible and memorable through making and doing
• Ready to Use: Complete lesson plans with historical context, learning objectives, and step-by-step instructions
• Cross-Curricular Excellence: Connects to KS2 Art & Design (cave art), Design & Technology (pottery, weaving), and Science (materials)
• Develops Historical Skills: Builds chronological understanding, source analysis, and archaeological thinking
• Engaging Content: Includes video resources and varied activities that maintain student interest
• Accessible Materials: Uses simple, readily available materials for practical activities

Perfect For:

• KS2 History lessons on Stone Age to Iron Age Britain
• Year 3 and Year 4 prehistoric Britain topic work
• Homeschool history curriculum
• Developing chronological understanding and historical enquiry skills
• Cross-curricular prehistoric Britain projects
• Building understanding of how historians and archaeologists work

Learning Outcomes:

Through these activities, children will understand changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, explore how archaeologists discover the past, investigate prehistoric tools, art, and technology, develop chronological understanding spanning thousands of years, and appreciate how early humans adapted, innovated, and created communities.

What Makes This Resource Special:

Prehistoric Britain can seem impossibly distant to modern children, but these hands-on activities make it real and relatable. By creating cave art, making pottery, weaving cloth, and investigating tools, students don't just learn about the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages—they experience them, developing genuine understanding and appreciation for our prehistoric ancestors' ingenuity and creativity.

Building Historical Understanding:

This topic develops essential historical skills including chronological thinking, source analysis, and understanding change over time. By exploring how life evolved from the Stone Age through to the Iron Age, children grasp the concept of historical periods and recognize that progress happens gradually through human innovation and adaptation.

Bring prehistoric Britain to life! These engaging activities help KS2 students discover the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages through hands-on archaeology, art, and craft that makes ancient history tangible, memorable, and genuinely exciting—building historical knowledge and enquiry skills that will serve them throughout their education.