Second World War: Life on the Home Front

What was life really like on the Home Front in Britain? How did ordinary people contribute to the war effort? What did people eat in wartime? Discover it all with the ‘Second World War: Life on the Home Front’ Immersive Loan Box!

Try on an ARP Warden’s uniform or get ready to hit the countryside in your Land Girl clothes! Work out your rations for the week and practice wearing your gas mask! Read the paper and keep up with the top news of the day, or to listen to a speech from Prime Minister, Winston Churchill!

Second World War: Battle of Britain

What was life like during the Battle of Britain? How did ordinary people contribute to the war effort? Who were ‘The Few’ and what did they do? Discover it all with the ‘Second World War: Battle of Britain’ Immersive Loan Box!

Dress like a Battle of Britain pilot or get ready to work in the operations room in your WAAF uniform! Break the code and help Fighter Command decipher vital intelligence from the Luftwaffe! Read the paper and keep up with the top news of the day, or to listen to a speech from Prime Minister, Winston Churchill!

Aircraft Fact Files

Need some interesting facts about our exhibits to fill the self-guided portion of your day?

Download our fact files to learn more!

Aircraft Fact Files

Cold War Exhibition Trail

Use this worksheet to explore the aircraft and history in the National Cold War Exhibition.

NCWE Trail

NCWE Trail Answers

Second World War Worksheets

Try downloading our free Second World War worksheets, designed to be used around the Test Flight and War in the Air hangars at RAF Museum Midlands!

Don your detective hats and crack the code with our Code Breaker Challenge:

Code Breaker Challenge

Code Breaker Challenge Answers

Restore Sgt. Betty Jones’ pilot logbook by filling in the redacted words with our Pilot Logbook Activity:

Pilot Logbook Activity Rebranded

Pilot Logbook Activity Answers Rebranded

The Spitfire Fund Story

The RAF Museum’s Children’s Author in Residence, Tom Palmer, has written a time-travelling short story commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Join Yusra, Lily and Danny as their amazing adventures are revealed one chapter at a time.

Reading comprehension activities and writing challenges accompany each chapter. Written for children aged 7+.

1. Chapter One and Chapter One Activity
2. Chapter Two and Chapter Two Activity
3. Chapter Three and Chapter Three Activity
4. Chapter Four and Chapter Four Activity
5. Chapter Five and Chapter Five Activity

Looking for some more literacy resources? Head over to the London page and explore literacy themes such as bravery, teamwork, innovation and much more!

KS2 – Battle Coordinates

The Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and the Royal Observer Corps are just two of the groups of people involved in the historic success of the Battle of Britain. Part of their success came from using maths and calculating coordinates. Learn more about their work with our new numeracy resource – Battle Coordinates!

When you’ve completed the worksheets, why not listen to the stories of Katherine Du Plat-Taylor who served with the WAAF in the Ops Rooms during the Battle of Britain?

Downloads:

Battle Coordinates Activity

Battle Coordinates Answers

KS1 – Maths Through Time

From the beginning of the First World War, the RAF have evolved over time and as such, so has their equipment. The aircraft and uniform they use has been adapted to respond to the change in use. The numeracy questions below look at some of the differences between older and newer aircraft and equipment. Shape is really important when it comes to thinking about aircraft – can you answer our questions and compare the pictures?

Once you have completed the questions, why not listen to some RAF stories to explore further? You can learn all about the different types of uniform used – from boots to helmets and everything in between! Shape, size, design and style are all important for uniform to make sure it is suitable for its job and to keep the wearer happy!

Download:

Maths Through Time Activity

KS2 – Rationing Maths

The rationing of essential items became a part of every day life during the Second World War. In order to ensure everyone got their fair share, there was often a little bit of maths involved! Learn all about rationing and answer our numeracy questions – don’t forget to show your working out! When you’ve finished, why not listen to Eileen O’Sullivan talk about her experience of rationing during the Second World War? (Psst…the secret password is the answer to the first question!).

Downloads:

KS2 Rationing Activity and Answers

KS2 – Spitfire Maths

A maths activity using Spitfires to explore distance.

Download:

Spitfire Maths Activity

Make your own parachute

Children will gain an understanding of the forces that impact on a parachute whilst investigating the suitability of a variety of materials.

Download:

Parachute Activity

Explore forced perspective in photography

Learners will grasp a better understanding of forced perspective by utilising scientific knowledge, maths skills and spatial awareness to create a range of fun images.

Download:

Forced Perspective Activity

Experiment with paper helicopters

Develop scientific knowledge using paper helicopters to demonstrate the science of forces and motion.

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Paper Helicopters Activity

Experiment with paper planes

Investigate how wing design can affect the flight of a paper aeroplane. Focussing on the science of forces and motion.

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Paper Planes Activity

Design a museum poster

In this creative activity, you will design a poster for the Royal Air Force Museum by highlighting the collections that we have on display, and some of the fun activities that people can take part in on a visit.

Download:

Museum Poster Activity

Curate your own mini museum

Museums are home to fantastic collections of different items from all over the world. The Royal Air Force Museum shares the story of the Royal Air Force using our collections. You can make your own mini museum and tell your own exciting stories using the guide.

Download:

Mini Museum Activity

Junk model aircraft

You can imagine, design and create a model of an aircraft using recyclable materials.

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Junk Modelling Rebranded

RAF colouring

Bring the Royal Air Force to life by colouring in these drawings of pilots and aircraft of the Second World War.

Download:

RAF Colouring Activity

Cook traditional Second World War recipes

This is a practical hands-on session in which students will learn about preparing and cooking a variety of dishes. They will learn about measurements, and a brief history of rationing in the Second World War.

Download:

WW2 Recipes Activity

30 Days of Mindfulness

Why not take 10 minutes out of your day for mindfulness and do something positive that will make you happy?

Take part in our 30 days of mindfulness challenge, you can respond to the prompt in any way you want; sketch, paint, write – let your creativity fly!

Download:

Mindfulness Activity

Pride Month Activity

Flags are used to show identity – the United Kingdom uses the Union Jack flag for example!

One of the most famous examples of identity flags is the LGBTQ+ rainbow coloured flag – it is recognised internationally as being a special symbol of the community.

Why not create your own identity flag – in celebration of Pride Month?

Download:

Pride Flag Activity