Whether you are looking to prepare your class for a visit, want to print off trails and worksheets for pupils to complete on the day, or are after ideas to extend the learning back in the classroom – it’s all here!
If you have something in mind that you would like to see here, please email learning-london@rafmuseum.org. We love developing new resources to make your visit even more special!
Pre and post visit activities
Workshops: Pre and Post visit ideas
- Air Raid! at the Museum and Air Raid! online
- Battle of Britain at the Museum and Battle of Britain online
- Fantastic Flight at the Museum and Fantastic Flight online
- Hands-on History: First World War
- Levers, Pulleys and Simple Machines
- Magnificent Materials for Flying Machines
- Pilot Skills (coding)
- Pilots of the Caribbean (at the Museum and online)
- Science Show
- Sky Writing
- Teddy's Travels at the Museum and Teddy's Travels online
- Wartime Classroom
- Your Local History
Battle of Britain
Downloadable trails and activity Packs
KS2 Dambusters History, Science and Maths Activity Pack for children
This information and activity pack is designed to be used by upper Key Stage 2 pupils (but can be adapted for use with all KS2). It can be used in the classroom as part of your preparations for a visit to the Museum, and in the Museum itself during a visit. Information and activities are centred around our new Bomber Command exhibition in Hangar 5.
KS2 Dambusters History, Science and Maths Teacher Pack
This Teacher Pack accompanies the KS2 Dambusters History, Science and Maths Activity Pack for children.
The pack includes:
• The Dambusters story with answers to comprehension questions
• A short trail around Hangar 5 to find objects related to the Dambusters Raid with answers to questions
• Answers to follow-up activities including a science experiment and maths challenges to be completed back at school.
Hangar Trails
- Hangar 1 (A) KS1
- Hangar 1 (B) Lower KS2
- Hangar 1 (C) Upper KS2
- Hangar 3/4/5 KS1
- Hangar 3/4/5 Lower KS2
- Hangar 3/4/5 Upper KS2
Second World War
The Wild Escape
In 2023, the Museum took part in #TheWildEscape, a project led by ArtFund. The project united hundreds of museums, schools and families in a celebration of UK wildlife and creativity. Discover some fascinating links between animal adaptations and the aircraft in our collection using our Biomimicry resource, which can be downloaded here: Wild Escape Biomimicry Sheet
Explore the wildlife around our Museum site during your visit by taking part in our Nature Hunt. You can also complete this hunt around your school grounds or local area. Available to download here:
Wild Escape Nature Hunt
Maths Trails
Add a bit of mathematical fun to your visit with our printable maths trails to be used in H3,4,5, available for Years 1-6.
Please note that due to new exhibitions opening in December 2023, these trails are in the process of being updated. The answers to a small number of questions may currently be unavailable.
Early Years trail and teacher notes
Year 1 trail and teacher notes
Year 2 trail and teacher notes
Year 3 trail and teacher notes
Year 4 trail and teacher notes
Year 5 trail and teacher notes
Year 6 trail and teacher notes
Early Years
If you're visiting the Museum with Nursery or Reception children, you may want to use our Early Years resource which has some fun ideas for your visit. Enjoy counting, finding and playing games!
Art and Design
The Museum is a great place to discover some amazing art and design, from paintings and sculpture to aircraft art and camouflage. You can also get creative and do some sketching as part of your visit.
KS2 Art and History Activity Pack for children
This activity pack is designed to be used by Key Stage 2 pupils during a physical visit to ‘To The Stars’ temporary art exhibition at the RAF Museum.
It includes:
• A short trail to find objects and stories around the Museum that link to the temporary exhibition
• Guidance for pupils to curate their own exhibition inspired by their visit.
In addition, the teacher pack can be adapted for use in the classroom or for home schooling.
It includes:
• Simple exercises that you can use with your group to help them study any artwork
• Guidance for using an artwork as a historical source (experiences during the Second World War)
• Follow up activities for completion in the RAF Museum and/or the classroom.
Annual Events
Digital trails
Biomimicry
Biomimicry is design that is inspired by nature. The aviation industry has often looked to nature for inspiration and to help solve problems, from simply wanting to fly like birds to using cutting edge technology to help pilots see in the dark. Follow the digital trail and discover what animals, aircraft and the RAF have in common.
Sound trail
Our sound trail can be accessed using a mobile phone or tablet. Listen to the sounds and try to locate the objects around the hangars.