Spend a day in the past
Dress in a simple historical costume, make period crafts and snacks, play traditional games, and write a diary to spend a day in the past.
Step-by-step guide to spend a day in the past
History for Kids
Step 1
Pick a historical period you want to "visit" today such as Medieval Times Ancient Egypt or Pioneer days.
Step 2
Gather all the materials from the list and bring them to a clear table or floor space.
Step 3
Make your simple costume by draping the sheet over your shoulders and securing the sides with safety pins or fabric tape.
Step 4
Roll two to three sheets of paper into a scroll shape and tie the middle with string to make your diary scroll.
Step 5
Decorate the outside of your scroll using colouring materials to make it look old and special.
Step 6
Thread buttons or beads onto a length of string to make a simple period-style necklace and tie the ends securely.
Step 7
Make a quick period snack by spreading honey or jam on bread or crackers on a plate.
Step 8
Create a toy ball by stuffing the clean sock into itself and tying it tightly with string.
Step 9
Play a traditional game by tossing your sock ball into a basket or box ten times to practice aim and count your score.
Step 10
Make music like children in the past by tapping a rhythm on the pot with the wooden spoon for two minutes.
Step 11
Pretend to do a simple daily chore from your chosen period by sweeping a small area for five minutes while in costume.
Step 12
Sit quietly and write a diary entry in your scroll about your day in the past describing what you wore ate played and felt.
Step 13
Add a small drawing inside the scroll that shows your favorite moment from the day using the colouring materials.
Step 14
Take a photo of your costume crafts snack and diary and share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use instead of a sheet, safety pins, or fabric tape to make the costume?
If you don't have a clean sheet use an oversized t-shirt, blanket, or pillowcase, and instead of safety pins or fabric tape secure the sides by knotting the fabric, tying strips, or using clothespins during the costume step.
My paper scroll keeps unrolling and the sock ball falls apart — how can I fix these problems?
Reinforce your diary scroll by adding a small strip of tape or a staple across the center before tying the string, and make the toy ball stay together by stuffing the sock tightly, double-knotting the string, and tucking the knot into the sock.
How can I adapt this 'day in the past' activity for a toddler, an older child, or a teenager?
For toddlers simplify by using a pillowcase costume, pre-roll and pre-decorate the diary scroll and pre-thread the beads while supervising the honey-on-bread snack, for older children let them follow the full steps independently and count scores in the sock-ball game, and for teenagers challenge them to research period recipes, sew costume details, and write a longer diary entry.
How can we extend or personalize the activity to make it more educational or memorable?
Extend the activity by researching your chosen period together, decorating the scroll and necklace with historically inspired designs, creating extra props like a paper map or crown, turning the chores and games into a short play, and photographing the costume, crafts, snack and diary to share on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to spend a day in the past
Why You Should Study History | Explained in Under 3 Minutes
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Why You Should Study History | Explained in Under 3 Minutes
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Thinking like a historian | The historian's toolkit | US History | Khan Academy
How do historians know about the past? (1/3)
Facts about living history for kids
✍️ Diaries such as Samuel Pepys’ 17th-century journal give historians vivid everyday details — writing one helps you step into the past.
🍯 Before cheap refined sugar, honey and fruit syrups were the main sweeteners for snacks and treats.
👗 Bright dyes were once costly, so brightly colored clothing was often a sign of wealth in many historical periods.
🕰️ Historical reenactors often follow “living history” rules, using period tools, recipes, and routines to recreate everyday life.
🎲 Simple games like tag, hide-and-seek, and hoop rolling have been played in many cultures for hundreds or even thousands of years.
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