Is your child fascinated with knights, castles and quests? Imagination and fantasy are important aspects of a child’s social and cognitive development. Whimsical fairytales and tales of chivalry are the perfect tool for sparking creativity and imagination. The Medieval ages cover 1000 years of history, from the fall of the Roman Empire to the rise of the Ottoman Empire. This summer, use activities to travel back in time to explore this exciting period in history!
The Middle Ages were filled with innovation and resourcefulness to help people adapt to the environment around them. For example, contraptions such as wheelbarrows and plows were invented during this time period and were designed as useful
tools to make life easier. Design your own contraptions with building sets such as Keva Cutouts. Spark your child’s interest in elements of balance, proportion, building and design with this medieval-themed construction toy. Keva Cutouts includes 30 pine planks as well as 30 cutout planks such as columns, battlements, arches and portholes. Quickly add turrets to your castle and porticos to your pavilions by interlocking building blocks with no glue or connectors necessary. Click here to get Keva Cutouts at Curiosity Corner, the Amazeum’s museum store.
Although the first DC electric motor wasn’t invented until 1832, there were many ways that people generated power long before electricity was used. For example, watermills used flowing water to power machines in order to grind grain. Windmills were developed in the Middle Ages and were originally designed to replace animal power to grind grain. Like a watermill, the windmill could grind at least 1,000 bushels of grain per week and 6
bushels an hour based on the performance of the wind. The Creator Wind Walker is a great activity to learn about the power of wind. This Walking Wind Machine walks around leisurely, propelled naturally by the wind flowing through its turbines. This kit is a small version of a Strandbeest, a kinetic sculpture designed to walk using wind power. Click here to get the Creator Wind Walker at Curiosity Corner.
The folklore of medieval times in Europe were mixtures of legends from various sources. Ancient regional stories were often combined with religious tales or myths from the Roman Empire and the Middle East. Although we can’t say if people actually believed in these mythical creatures, folklore during the Middle Ages was a popular way to illustrate issues of moral or social importance. Creatures such as mermaids, centaurs and dragons
were included in medieval legends and depicted all over the world in things like architecture, artwork and armor. This summer, unlock your child’s imagination by creating your own mythical tales. The Create With Clay: Mythical Creatures kit includes everything you need to design 3 mythical clay figures. Using the skeletons of a dragon, unicorn and phoenix, mold and shape with non-drying clay your custom mythical creatures. Complete with modeling tools, wiggly eyes and feathers, your child can easily design their own animals and create their own mythical world. Click here to get the Create With Clay: Mythical Creatures kit at Curiosity Corner.
During the 12th century, medieval Europe saw a radical change in the rate of new inventions and innovations in the ways of traditional production and economic growth. Many of these technological advancements were built on long-established techniques. By creating new tools that applied basic principles and worked with greater efficiency, people during the Middle Ages could create buildings and grow food at a much faster rate. An old form of technology called the Archimedes’ Screw, is one of the oldest hydraulic machines, being first mentioned all the way back in 234 BC! The Archimedes’ Screw is used to transfer water
