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History Quiz - Toys through History (Questions)

This quiz addresses the requirements of the National Curriculum KS1 History for children aged 5, 6 and 7 in years 1 and 2. Specifically this quiz is aimed at the section dealing with developing an awareness of difference between the past and present.

Young children in KS1 are encouraged to see the difference between the past and the present. One area which can be used to demonstrate this is that of toys. The toys children play with today are very different to those which their parents and grandparents may have played with. Young children are already more technologically advanced than many adults and may be amazed to discover the 'low tech' toys their ancestors enjoyed!

1. In Ancient Greece, boys played ball games with something unusual. What was it?
[ ] An inflated pig's bladder
[ ] A sheep's brain
[ ] A cow's eyeball
[ ] A rolled up squirrel
2. Where was the first doll's house made?
[ ] America
[ ] China
[ ] Italy
[ ] Germany
3. In 1767, an inventor called John Spilsbury made the first what?
[ ] Doll's pram
[ ] Jigsaw puzzle
[ ] Bat and ball
[ ] Set of marbles
4. Why is a teddy bear called a teddy bear?
[ ] It's the best name for a bear
[ ] Because Freddy bear sounds silly
[ ] So you don't mix it up with a doll
[ ] It was named after an American President
5. In 1950, a construction toy was invented which most of us have played with. What was it?
[ ] Lego
[ ] Meccano
[ ] Stickle Bricks
[ ] K'nex
6. What was the first toy to be advertised on television?
[ ] Furby
[ ] Barbie
[ ] Lego
[ ] Mr Potato Head
7. What was the original use for Play-Doh?
[ ] A pen holder
[ ] A bathing product
[ ] A wallpaper cleaner
[ ] A picture hanger
8. What was the Frisbee first used for?
[ ] Storing marbles
[ ] Feeding pets
[ ] Holding plants
[ ] Baking pies
9. What was the first game to use our bodies as playing pieces?
[ ] Bop-it
[ ] Monopoly
[ ] Cluedo
[ ] Twister
10. A blockbusting film released in the 1970s saw action figure toys sell like hot cakes. What was the film?
[ ] Star Wars
[ ] Toy Story
[ ] Up
[ ] Monsters Inc.

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - How have toys and games changed?

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History Quiz - Toys through History (Answers)
1. In Ancient Greece, boys played ball games with something unusual. What was it?
[x] An inflated pig's bladder
[ ] A sheep's brain
[ ] A cow's eyeball
[ ] A rolled up squirrel
Only boys went to school in Ancient Greece, girls stayed at home to cook and clean
2. Where was the first doll's house made?
[ ] America
[ ] China
[ ] Italy
[x] Germany
The first doll's houses belonged to wealthy ladies who had replicas made of their own homes
3. In 1767, an inventor called John Spilsbury made the first what?
[ ] Doll's pram
[x] Jigsaw puzzle
[ ] Bat and ball
[ ] Set of marbles
He intended to teach geography by cutting maps into pieces but soon people began making jigsaws for entertainment
4. Why is a teddy bear called a teddy bear?
[ ] It's the best name for a bear
[ ] Because Freddy bear sounds silly
[ ] So you don't mix it up with a doll
[x] It was named after an American President
Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear on a hunting trip and teddy bears are named after him
5. In 1950, a construction toy was invented which most of us have played with. What was it?
[x] Lego
[ ] Meccano
[ ] Stickle Bricks
[ ] K'nex
To begin with, Lego was quite unpopular as people preferred wooden toys!
6. What was the first toy to be advertised on television?
[ ] Furby
[ ] Barbie
[ ] Lego
[x] Mr Potato Head
This toy was invented in the 1950s and became even more popular after the movie 'Toy Story'
7. What was the original use for Play-Doh?
[ ] A pen holder
[ ] A bathing product
[x] A wallpaper cleaner
[ ] A picture hanger
Its use as a toy was discovered accidentally!
8. What was the Frisbee first used for?
[ ] Storing marbles
[ ] Feeding pets
[ ] Holding plants
[x] Baking pies
The Frisbee was originally a metal pie tin made by the Frisbee Baking Company in America
9. What was the first game to use our bodies as playing pieces?
[ ] Bop-it
[ ] Monopoly
[ ] Cluedo
[x] Twister
The game was quite controversial - people weren't sure if it was a good idea or not!
10. A blockbusting film released in the 1970s saw action figure toys sell like hot cakes. What was the film?
[x] Star Wars
[ ] Toy Story
[ ] Up
[ ] Monsters Inc.
The toys and figures are still very popular today
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