Learn about Ancient Greeks with the Museum of Classical Archaeology
The Museum of Classical Archaeology loves helping children and adults to learn about the Ancient Greeks. We have put together a range of activities aimed at primary school children. They are easily adaptable to other ages too.
The following home learning resources are available on this page:
- Paint with us: Selene, Goddess of the Moon
- Write a Greek Myth
- Bassae Frieze
- Medusa Mask
- Tombstone of Hegeso
- Visit the Museum: KS2 Greeks Pack
- Design your own Greek Vase
- Hero Hybrid
Have you used any of these resources? Please tell us what you thought about them in this very short survey. It should take you no longer than 5 minutes. Thank you for your help!
1. Selene Goddess of the Moon
In Greek mythology, Selene is the sister of Helios, the god of the sun. The Romans called her Luna. She drives her moon chariot across the heavens. In the statue in the Museum of Classical Archaeology, she is riding a horse into battle with the Giants.
Learn more about Selene and follow our how to guide on colouring the goddess's dress to look like the moon!
You will need:
- paper,
- paintbrushes,
- paint,
- something glittery
- Download the drawing of Selene to get started.
- Watch the video with instructions or download the written instructions here.
2. Write a Greek Myth
Follow our handy instructions and write your own greek myth with heroes, villains, gods and monsters. You can choose between four story types: a quest, homecoming, foundation and monster, illustrated with examples from Greek myth and statues from the gallery throughout.
You will need:
- paper and pens.
- the instructions, which you can download below
Download Write you own Greek Myth Activity (pdf).
Why not use some colouring pencils to add illustrations to your myth?
3. Bassae Frieze 
Every Monday throughout December a new children’s activity will be uploaded to the website! The Activities will circle around our Bassae Frieze Conservation project. These are perfect for entertaining kids throughout the winter break. Get ready for colouring sheets, making activities and story-writing resources!
Making Activity
All of our statues are plaster copies of other statues. The process of making them is called plaster casting. In this activity you can make your own moulds and casts using salt dough, plasticine and household objects. This is quite a long activity, best saved for a long winter weekend.
You will need:
- Objects you want to cast
- bowl
- spoon
- baking sheet
- baking paper
- cup of flour
- half a cup of salt
- half a cup of water
- plasticine or play-dough
Colouring Activities
In this colouring sheet we erased the horse between two fighting figures. Let your imagination fly and draw the horse back in!
Why not give colouring this chariot from the Bassae Frieze a go? These would very likely be painted in the ancient times. Let your imagination run wild. The chariot, and the faces of the figures are badly damaged. Why not try to redraw them?
The Colouring sheet is based on this cast of the chariot of the Bassae Frieze:
4. Medusa Mask
Make your own mask with snakes instead of hair. Based on the story and our own sculpture of Medusa, follow this simple step by step tutorial to make your own fun mask. If you need an idea for an arts and crafts afternoon, this is perfect.
Wear it around the house and scare your family!
Download:
- Medusa Mask Activity (pdf)
- Medusa Mask Activity (accessible pdf)
5. Tombstone of Hegeso
You will need the following
- our online resource (click below to download the pdf).
- paper and pencil or pen to complete the activity
Download:
6. Visit the Museum: KS2 Greeks Pack
We know it isn't always possible to visit our Cast Gallery. That's why we made these downloadable home learning packs. You can explore our Museum from afar - with no need to venture out of the house!
Learning about the Ancient Greeks is easy.
You will need the following
- Our online resources: click below to download the pdf version
- Some paper and a pencil to write down your answers
Using our KS2 Ancient Greek resources, you can explore the following Greek Sculpture topics:
Colour, Gods and Goddesses
- Be amazed by our colourful painted Peplos Kore and think about the effects of paint.
- Meet some of the Greek Gods and Goddesses - and learn how to tell them apart.
Download: KS2 Ancient Greeks Online Resource: Colour and Gods (pdf)
Athletes
- Find out more about ancient athletics - and how competitive the Greeks were.
Download: KS2 Ancient Greeks Online Resource: Athletes
Fights and Hercules
- Talking of competition, find out more about war and how much the Greeks liked to fight
- Learn about the famous hero, Hercules (or, as the Greeks called him, Herakles)
Download: KS2 Ancient Greeks Online Resource: Fights and Hercules (pdf)
7. Design Your Own Greek Vase
Learn more about Greek Pottery! Use vase templates and sherds from our collection to design your own vase.
In this activity you will chose one of three pottery shapes. Next, you will draw and decorate your own inspired by Greek pottery styles.
You will need the following
- paper, pencils, coloured pens or pencils.
- our online resources, click below to download them
Step 1: Choose the shape of your pot!
The shapes of greek pottery tell us about their function. In this worksheet you can learn about three pottery shapes and what they were used for. To be ready for the next activity, choose your favourite and either print it off or draw it on a piece of paper.
Download: Greek Vase Shapes Template (pdf)
Step 2: Design and Draw
Download our guide to Greek Pottery and use it as inspiration to decorate the pot you have chosen. Share your designs with us!
Download: Greek Pottery Sherds Guide (pdf)
8. Hero Hybrid
Ancient heroes came in all shapes and sizes. In this activity you will make your own hero inspired by our collection!
You will need the following
- paper, pencils, colouring pencils or pens
- the instructions, which you can download below
In this activity you will learn about mythical heroes and gods, and see what they look like in our museum. Follow the instructions to create your own heroes and heroines! You can also see an example of a hero created by our education team.
- Download the instructions as a pdf.
- Download the instructions as an accessible pdf.
- Download the instructions as a word document.
Need help, answers, or want to share your creations? Why not reach out to us on our social media?
Have you used any of these resources? Please tell us what you thought about them in this very short survey. It should take you no longer than 5 minutes. Thank you for your help! Why not make a suggestion for what our next resource should be?
