Learning Resources

Free Creative Arts Learning Resource

Makers of Imaginary Worlds offers a collection of free arts-based learning resources designed to help parents and educators bring creativity into the classroom and home. These resources explore how art and design can engage young learners across various subjects in fun and meaningful ways.

01

Thingamabobas

Ages- 6- 10

This learning resource was developed from our Thingamabobas installation, which debuted at Lakeside Arts in May 2021. Designed for children aged 6 to 11, it incorporates design thinking and tinkering through step-by-step instructions and activity sheets, encouraging kids to sketch, write, and reflect on their creations. We piloted the resource in schools across the UK and Hong Kong with support from the British Council Spark Festival 2022. The children's work, along with the outcomes of this collaboration, has been showcased in several galleries. Supported by Arts Council England & Lakeside Arts.

Download the Pdf now!

02

HOME: Zero

Age: 6-10

This PDF guide is inspired by the HOME: Zero installation and showcases ten remarkable paintings from the National Gallery’s collection. It’s designed to encourage children—and adults—to engage with art in a deeper way, using these masterpieces as a lens to explore sustainability and our relationship with the environment.
Through a series of thought-provoking activities, this guide invites you to observe details, spark discussions, and think creatively about how we can take care of our planet. Whether at home, in the classroom, or during a visit to the installation, these activities will help children connect art with real-world environmental challenges, fostering curiosity and critical thinking.

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03

Undiscovered Island

Age: 6-10

Our Undiscovered Island learning resource is all about sparking children's imagination and helping them connect with nature—especially the wonders of coral reefs! Designed for Key Stage 1 & 2, it weaves together art, design, technology, science, and literacy in a fun and engaging way. Supported by Arts Council England, UKRI EPRC & Lakeside Arts.

Want to learn more?

Download the PDF resource

"Our image of children no longer considers them as isolated and egocentric, does not only see them as engaged in action with objects, does not emphasise only the cognitive aspects, does not belittle feelings or what is not logical and does not consider with ambiguity the role of the reflective domain. Instead our image of the child is rich in potential, strong, powerful, competent and, most of all, connected to adults and children."

Loris Malaguzzi, Reggio Emilia

Early Year Resources

AGE: 0-5

The Gift

Our Early Year Storytelling resource is designed to spark creativity and help you develop your storytelling skills.

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Sensory Ball

Unlock the secret to transforming an old jumper into a unique, upcycled cover for an exercise ball!

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Wonder Boxes

The Wonder Boxes are designed for children aged 1 to 3 years old, you use cardboard boxes as a blank canvas for imagination.

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Music@Home

We’ve searched high and low across the web to bring together fantastic online music - perfect for families looking to explore the joy of making music @home! These activities were originally curated for the first-ever Virtual Oxjam Summer Music Festival in 2020.