History articles
Best biographies and autobiographies for children
Biographies and autobiographies bring the lives of influential people to life for young children, highlighting the role exceptional individuals have played in our shared history. Introduce your child to the world's greatest artists, activists, scientists, inventors and humanitarians with books aimed at every age group. Each biography and autobiography is bursting with anecdotes, imagery and information, sure to inspire young people to follow their own dreams and aspirations.
Best children's books about the Holocaust
There have been many books written about the Holocaust, both by people who experienced it and other writers. Scott Evans, The Reader Teacher, has selected ten titles suitable for primary school children to give an insight into this period of history.
Best YouTube channels for home education
Whether you want your child to learn about maths, geography, science or history, they'll be happy to watch a video about it – and these YouTube channels introduce topics through songs, animations, experiments, skits and riddles. From phonics for new readers to physics for keen scientists, these are the educational channels to subscribe to.
Best history home education resources
Don't be overwhelmed by the number of wonderful home education materials available to you as a parent – we've picked our favourite history-at-home resources to inspire young historians (and teach us parents a few new facts about the past, too!).
12 of the best home learning websites for kids
We've rounded up some of our favourite online resources to support your child's learning at home.
50 of the best virtual trips and educational experiences for families
In this day and age, we may be spending more time indoors but thanks to our laptops and devices we can let the world come to us instead – take a trip round Frida Kahlo’s kitchen, share some chocolate cake with Michael Rosen and journey to the International Space Station with our pick of 50 of the best virtual trips and educational experiences. By Hetty Walton
20 of the best live streams for kids
Help your primary-age child stay educated and entertained with our round-up of the best live streams for kids.
Best history apps for kids
Help your child become an expert on all things ancient and old-fashioned with these brilliant learning apps, perfect for primary school topics.
Best activity books for children
Whether you're on the move or at home, a great activity book offers hours of screen-free learning and fun. Crosswords, maths challenges, mystery solving and code writing are all covered in our best activity books for kids picks. We can't guarantee you won't want to help out with the puzzling, though!
Best children's books about the Celts
The Celts, best known for living in tribes, being rebellious and their warrior queen Boudicca, were one of the most powerful and advanced groups in Iron Age society. Have your sword, spear and shield ready because you're in for a bruising battle with this collection of texts chosen by Scott Evans, primary school teacher and children's book reviewer.
Best children's books about the Normans
The Normans ruled England after the Anglo Saxons and are famous for battles and conquests, kings and knights and for building some of our most well-known castles, such as Windsor Castle and the Tower of London! Chosen by primary teacher Scott Evans, these tales, some based on true events and some mythological, travel back to a time of towers and tapestries...
Best children's books about Ancient Rome
What did the Romans do for us? From picture books to chapter books, this selection, chosen by primary school teacher Scott Evans, will help your children to discover for themselves if the Ancient Romans were as ruthless or as rotten as some say as we travel back to the time of gladiators, emperors and amphitheatres...
Best children's books about Vikings
Take a step back in time when Britain was being regularly invaded to find out more about the fearless raiders who travelled by sea in their long ships to settle here and who have left their mark on today's society. Primary school teacher and children's literature lover Scott Evans shares his pick of the best Viking historical fiction that will capture children's interest in this most interesting and exciting (and sometimes bloodthirsty!) of times.
Best children's books about Tudors
Divorced, beheaded, died! Divorced, beheaded, survived! During the Tudor period, arguably one of the most exciting times in history, one family dominated the country with two of the strongest monarchs ever to sit on the throne, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Find out about these rulers and more with teacher and children's book reviewer Scott Evans' pick of the best Tudor stories and novels.
Museums reviewed by parents: The Postal Museum, London
How did people communicate in the days before Facebook and WhatsApp? London’s new Postal Museum takes an in-depth look at the history of the postal service, with plenty to engage young hands and minds.
Why children love historical fiction
How does historical fiction transport children to the past? Tom Palmer, author of football and history best-sellers, shares his love of kids' historical fiction and its ability to introduce us to the lives of the people who came before us. Settle down with a book and step back in time...
Best children's books about the Suffragettes
On 6 February 1918 the Representation of the People Act gave the vote to (some) women in Britain for the first time. Help your child understand the history of the women's suffrage movement with teacher Ashley Booth's pick of the best kids' books about the Suffragettes.
Museums reviewed by parents: Museum of Science and Industry Manchester
Be awed by past and future science and technology in Manchester with a trip to one of the UK's most atmospheric museums, on the site of the oldest surviving passenger railway station and in the heart of the world’s first industrial city. We highlight what the Museum of Science and Industry has to offer parents, children and families.
Best children's books about the Anglo Saxons
Travel back in time to the dawn of England and find out more about the Anglo Saxons, their stories and their lives. Teacher and literacy expert Ashley Booth shares his pick of the best historical fiction set in the time of King Alfred, including different retellings of the epic Anglo Saxon poem Beowulf.
Best children's books about the Great Fire of London and the Plague
Make the events of 1665 and 1666 come to life for children (and for you!) with teacher Ashley Booth's pick of the best children's fiction about the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London. From KS1 early readers to chapter books, there's a historical fiction option for all ages.
Best children's books about the Stone Age
Life in prehistoric times is incredibly hard to picture, but teacher Ashley Booth's pick of the best Stone Age stories and novels for kids will help transport your child (far) back in time .
Best children's books about WWII
World War II was a pivotal time in British history. These page-turning reads will give your children a real insight into what life was like for both children and adults, on the battle field and on the Home Front. By Ashley Booth
Best children's books about Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt is one of the primary history topics that children most want to learn about and it’s easy to see why. Y6 teacher Ashley Booth picks his favourite Nile-based fiction books to fascinate your child and introduce them to a world of pyramids, mummies and pharaohs.
Best children's books about Ancient Greece
Enter a world of gods, legends and mythical creatures... Y6 teacher and kids' literature lover Ashley Booth shares his top picks for inspiring children's interest in Ancient Greece and its culture.
Best children's books about Victorians
Street urchins, housemaids, pickpockets and foundlings they may be, but the characters in our pick of the best kids' books set in Victorian times are brave, resourceful and inspiring. Their stories bring the nineteenth century to life, from city streets to country houses. By Ashley Booth
Museums reviewed by parents: Avebury Manor and stone circles
Find out how people lived through the ages by visiting Avebury Manor and its stone circles on a family-friendly and fascinating learning day out.
Best history books for children
Travel back in time to visit a Roman bath-house, explore the Persian empire, find your way through an Elizabethan maze and witness the fall of the Berlin Wall – the whole of human history is brought to life for children in our pick of the best kids' books about world and British history.
Best girl-empowering books for kids
Introduce the whole family to the achievements of female scientists, explorers, artists, physicians, writers and more in our round-up of the best girl-empowering books for kids. From KS1 picture books and tales to inspiring grown-up "bedtime stories", we love these girl-power celebrations of outstanding people.
Kids' historical costumes to buy
Planning ahead for Victorian day at school? Looking for an easy evacuee costume or a Roman centurion outfit? Need to find a dressing-up solution for your eager Viking warrior, Anglo-Saxon scholar or Georgian lady? From Stone Age to suffragettes and Sixties fashion, we've picked a selection of the best historical costumes to buy for kids.
How to help your child develop research skills
Knowing how to use books and the internet for research is a vital skill for KS2 pupils. We explain how to help your primary-school child.
Talking to your child about politics
Every child is a future voter, so it's important that they learn about politics. Lucy Dimbylow takes a look at where to begin.
Best learning songs
Could songs and music help your child learn and remember English, maths and science facts? We pick our favourite learning songs, covering everything from adverbs and angles to onomatopoeia and photosynthesis.
Best reference books for children
Reference books and dictionaries offer us information that's accurate, well researched and beautifully presented and are invaluable when you're working on a homework project. From atlases to dictionaries and encyclopedias, we recommend some of the best English, maths, science, history and geography reference books for primary-school children.
Museums reviewed by parents: Dickens Museum
A brilliant way to make KS2 learning about life in Victorian times come to life for your primary-school child, the London home where Charles Dickens lived for two years is no Bleak House, rather an Old Curiosity Shop of memorabilia that all the family will love.
Museums reviewed by parents: Down House
Down House, the family home of Victorian scientist Charles Darwin, offers a unique insight into one of the world's greatest thinkers. Visit to stand in the study where Darwin wrote 'On the Origin of Species', stroll through beautiful gardens and find out more about the theory of evolution. Our family testers share their tips for a great day out in rural Kent.
Museums reviewed by parents: Churchill War Rooms
Travel back in time to WWII and the days of the Blitz in the Cabinet War Rooms, where Churchill and his aides made the decisions that helped to win the war. From interactive maps to expert staff, our tester picks the highlights for children and families.
Museums reviewed by parents: Globe Theatre
Experience the magic of the Shakespearean stage as a family at the Globe Theatre Exhibition and Tour in London. From stage fighting to period costumes, you'll be able to immerse yourself in Shakespeare's life, times and plays, and learn a few famous quotes too!
Museums reviewed by parents: Old Operating Theatre, London
Found – the perfect London museum for older kids looking for something beyond the much-loved but well-worn round of Science and Natural History Museums. A dip into the history of all things surgical, the Old Operating Theatre Museum is a hidden scientific gem in a historic corner of the capital which will keep inquisitive minds entertained for hours.
Museums reviewed by parents: Dover Castle
Travel back in time to meet medieval monarchs, wander through winding, eerie 13th century underground defences and explore the Secret Wartime Tunnels deep within Dover’s White Cliffs. A trip to Dover Castle offers an action-packed day out for the whole family and our parents-and-children testers loved every minute.
Museums reviewed by parents: Arundel Castle
Pretend to be a knight for the day at one of Britain’s most historic castles. Arundel Castle boasts fairytale towers and rooms full of suits of armour, all set in acres of beautiful grounds and gardens with sweeping views over the stunning South Downs. Perfect for keeping curious kids busy exploring all day!