I have a free 4-week Middle Ages unit study for kids. Look at these other Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more ideas and topics for hands-on learning.
The Medieval or Middle Ages is a period in history that is full of legend and myth.
This Middle Ages unit study is about medieval Europe.
We’ve studied other periods like Medieval Japan which can make for a great comparison with this one. That is an idea for a co-op with maybe a mix of middle and high school kids.
However, for today we’re focusing on the castles, knights, and King Arthur of medieval Europe.
Next, it’s important to understand that a way of life doesn’t just stop and another one begins at an exact date.
So many periods of history, customs, way of life, and events overlap. This period of Medieval we’ll cover is approximately 500 to 1400–1500 ce.
BOOKS ABOUT THE MIDDLE AGES HISTORY FOR KIDS
First, look at some of these books.
Using a living book as your spine or main text is a fun way to bring this time to life.
9 Medieval History Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To
Add a few of these books to your Middle Ages or Medieval unit study.
King Arthur is one of the greatest legends of all time. From the magical moment when Arthur releases the sword in the stone to the quest for the Holy Grail and the final tragedy of the Last Battle, Roger Lancelyn Green brings the enchanting world of King Arthur stunningly to life. One of the greatest legends of all time, with an inspiring introduction by David Almond, award-winning author of Clay, Skellig, Kit's Wilderness and The Fire-Eaters.
This covers people and events and covers a larger period of time.
Kids can re-create a long-ago world of kings, castles, jousts, jesters, damsels, magic fairies, and Robin Hood—all they need are their imaginations, materials they can find at home, and the activities in this book. Dressing up in a coat of armor made from plastic milk jugs, whipping up a batch of curds and whey, writing secret messages in invisible ink, and telling time with a sand glass made from soda bottles are just some of the fun projects. Every activity is illustrated, and sidebars highlight colorful facts about life hundreds of years ago.
This newly updated book will introduce you to world history, from prehistoric times to the start of the 21st century. Find out about dinosaurs, the first humans, Ancient Egypt, the Aztec Empire, Medieval Europe, the First World War and many more fascinating subjects.
Set in the fourteenth century, the classic story of one boy's personal heroism when he loses the use of his legs.
The Knights of the Round Table were in their glory. When an unknown stranger visits the castle and asks Kin Arthur's favor, he is allowed to serve in the kitchen for his meat and bread. Little does anyone suspect that he is of noble blood and will soon be knighted by the famous Sir Lancelot. Lush illustrations bring the reader into the book, as Sir Gareth meets adventures and battles to free a princess from the fearsome Red Knight of the Plain.
In this 1978 Caldecott Honor Book, award-winning author and illustrator David Macaulay explores the history and construction of castles in a richly illustrated resource for curious young readers. The word itself conjures up mystery, romance, intrigue, and grandeur. What could be more perfect for an author/illustrator who has continually stripped away the mystique of architectural structures that have long fascinated modern man? With typical zest and wry sense of humor punctuating his drawings, David Macaulay traces the step-by-step planning and construction of both castle and town.
I like to incorporate a wonderful and informational book to support our topic while making it fun and engaging. The Middle Ages, choose your own adventure style book is fantastic for middle elementary.
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood was written and illustrated by Howard Pyle and published in 1883. It is the best known version of the story of Robin Hood which had been popular throughout the previous century. Pyle popularized Robin Hood, his adventures, and his band of merry men in a way that influenced most later depictions in writing, drawing, and film. The book consists of a series of episodes pitting the outlaw Robin Hood, Little John, Friar Tuck and the rest of his band against corrupt authorities epitomized by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.
Also, understand why the Middle Ages are also called Medieval Times.
Merriam-Websters defines Middle Ages like this: With its roots medi-, meaning “middle”, and ev-, meaning “age”, medieval literally means “of the Middle Ages”. In this case, middle means “between the Roman empire and the Renaissance”—that is, after the fall of the great Roman state and before the “rebirth” of culture that we call the Renaissance.
In summary, I explained to my sons it’s the time between Ancient Rome and The Renaissance.
However, if you have older children, the Middle Ages can be broken down further into the Early Middle Ages (c. 400 to 900), the High Middle Ages (c. 900 to the mid-1200s) and the Late Middle Ages (c. mid1200s to 1500).
Each of these time periods have significant events, people and places which emerged. This helps to narrow your study if you want to dive deeper.
Because this is only 4 weeks, I’m teaching a general overview of the Medieval Times.
HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY MIDDLE AGES UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 1
The Roman Empire had provided stability for centuries in the region. It had spread its culture, the Latin language, and Christianity across the continent.
But the Roman grew weak and worse it had been invaded.
So, it was a time when kings and feudal lords ruled the land and when castles appeared.
Castles were both a residence for the noble and a defensive structure.
However, the majority of people were poor people or peasants.
They learned a trade and survived off the land living in thatched huts and farming on land they did not own.
The lands were normally owned by a feudal lord.
And it’s important to help your child understand what we mean when we say Middle Ages Europe. All the countries did not have the same name as they do today but we’ll use the modern day names so our kids will understand the geography.
During the early Middle Ages, Europe included the islands of Britain and Ireland.
Also, much of the land that we now call Italy, Germany, and France was included. It also included the Vikings and the Scandinavian countries. The countries are we now called Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
- If you have the room, make your European Middle Ages Map a poster size so your kids can see the countries.
- Read about knights and then look at my post How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts
- Duct Tape Weapons Help Bring Medieval History to Life
- Read and learn about what is a coat of arms. Then look at my post Middle Ages History: Make a Coat of Arms Activity
- Make a Medieval Castle
- Look at this Medieval Sensory Bin for the littles
- Hands-on Demonstration of Feudalism in the Middle Ages
MIDDLE AGES HISTORY VOCABULARY WORDS
Too, look at a list of words to define.
- noble – A person of high social rank, often owning large amounts of land and having titles like lord or lady.
- feudal society – a social system in which land is owned by a small ruling class and is worked by peasants in exchange for protection and other services.
- vassal– A person who receives land from a lord in exchange for loyalty and service.
- papacy – the office or the position of the pope
- fief – A piece of land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and service
- manor – a Iarge estate, often including farms and a village, ruled by a lord
- knight – a man who received honor and land in exchange for serving a lord as a soldier
NATURE & SCIENCE MIDDLE AGES UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 2
Next, in the Middle Ages people decorated their heads with flowers and leaves. Make a crown of flowers with any long stem flowers. Daisies are a good choice.
Medieval Chemistry had early beginnings although we don’t always think about the medieval period as that time.
- Discuss the physics of moats and drawbridges.
- A terrible plague called the Black Death swept through Europe, causing the deaths of millions of people. Research what it was and how it was spread.
- Define Science’ of Alchemy. Look at my post Medieval Chemistry and Homeschool History – Fun Hands-On Activity.
- Make a battering ram
- Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study
- Discuss hygiene. Baths were normally in warm springs in winter less to none.
- Dragon STEM Activities
- Look at this fun Magic Color Changing Potion Science. Folks didn’t understand what science versus fantasy was.
- Medieval Food changed during this time but look at these fun recipes and good background information
MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS MIDDLE AGES UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 3
During this period, it was hard for people to separate myth from reality.
But that is why the book King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is fun to read to get a taste of the time.
Also, we don’t have as many primary sources which is why this is called the dark period.
But be sure to pore over what we do have from that time which are the famous stories like “Beowulf” and “The Canterbury Tales”.
- Fun Dragon Unit Study Ideas and Salt Dough Dragon Craft. My dragon unit study is a fun way to introduce make believe versus reality.
- Discuss what is meant by BC and AD or BCE and CE. AD means “Anno Domini,” or “in the year of our Lord,” and is used for dates after the birth of Jesus. These refer to ancient times and modern times.
- Explore the architecture of castles and cathedrals.
- Some children understand better when they can do a timeline of people and events.
- Read King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
- And do a fun self-paced language arts course online for high school on the book Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Too, here are some history makers and events during this period.
Research one or two that interests your child.
FAMOUS PEOPLE AND EVENTS
- knights – men who fought for and protected the lands of their lord, baron, count, or king.
- barbarians – people that the Romans thought were primitive.
- King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table – No one knows if they’re real or not.
- Medieval minstrels – Musicians who traveled from place to place, singing songs and reciting poetry. Look at this beautiful site Luminarium for Lyrics (make sure your sound is on) and look at the English Anthologies too.
- Henry II of England – In 1154, Henry II was crowned King of England. Under his rule, England prospered. He brought common law to England.
- court jester – the court’s official entertainer
- bubonic plague – infectious disease carried by rats and mice that spread to humans.
- Charlemagne – “Charlemagne” is French for Charles the Great. Charlemagne used the great wealth and strong military organization that he had inherited from his father and brother to build his empire.
- Crusades – A series of wars fought between Christians and Muslims during the 11th to the 13th centuries in the hopes of taking possession of Jerusalem and other places considered to be holy by the Christians.
ARTS & CRAFTS MIDDLE AGES UNIT STUDY WEEK 4
- Learn about knights and do this easy Knight Armor Engraving on my post The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft.
- Geronimo Stilton Time Travel How to Make a Medieval-Stained Glass Craft
- Paint a Jester . The court jester had a unique position in the court. His job was to make fun of things and to make jokes. This included the King and Queen. Anyone else would be punished or even put to death.
- How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables
- How To Make A Kids Easy Medieval Stained Glass Window
- Medieval Period: How To Make A Quill Pen
- Fun Kindergarten History Activities: How to Create Royal Peg Dolls
- Host a Medieval Feast. This is fun to do when you finish your study and celebrate with a feast.
- And because the Middle Ages and the Renaissance over look at how to make this fun goblet.
Also, look at this list of craftsmen and trades during the Middle Ages.
- Blacksmith – Worked with metal to make tools, horseshoes, and armor.
- Candlemaker – Made candles from tallow or beeswax for light.
- Glassblower: Crafted glass items like bottles and windows. Look at my fun unit study and free lapbook Glass Blowing.
- Tanner – Made leather from animal hides for clothing and goods
- Fletcher – Made arrows for archery and hunting.
- Weaver – Created cloth and textiles using a loom.
Also, look at a few more Middle Ages resources.
MORE MIDDLE AGES RESOURCES
- Medieval History for Homeschool Middle School
- Medieval Chemistry and Homeschool History – Fun Hands-On Activity
- 12 Gifts For Medieval History Buffs
- Medieval Homeschool History – 4 Surefire Ways to Beat a Boring Study
Of course, as I mentioned this is a huge quick overview and just touches the fringe of this expansive time.
There are more colorful characters and events to explore.
What are you studying about and doing hands-on?
