Inspire your students with hands on activities and authentic historical artefacts!

A full list of boxes and a summary of their contents can be found below, alternatively you can download the Museum in a Box catalogue (PDF). A gallery of some of the loans boxes can be found at the bottom of this page. 

All boxes cost £50 per box, unless stated otherwise.

Loan boxes are listed by subject, click on the title to jump to that section on the page: 

• History
• 19th and 20th Century Life
• Religion
• World Cultures
• Art
• Story Boxes
• Natural History

 

History

Journey through the ages with a history artefact box. The artefacts and replicas are perfect for class discussion, material exploration or even creating your own mini museum exhibition in the classroom. Bring the past to life with a hands-on, interactive experience! Unless stated otherwise, all artefacts are genuine.

* The loan boxes highlighted with an asterisk have been updated to include additional notes, photocopiable activity sheets, teacher’s guidance and digital resources.

Anglo-Saxon*

Replica artefacts: runes, stamps, pots. (2 boxes available).
Travel back to ancient Mercia and explore Anglo Saxon pottery, the Staffordshire Hoard, and the magic of runes. Pack includes curatorial and drawing activities, interactive roleplay adventures and craft ideas.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Anglo-Saxon Costume

Replica costume: male/female Anglo-Saxon outfits. (2 boxes available).
Key Stage: 2, 3, 4.

Aztec

Replica artefacts: calendar, ocarina, pestle and mortar, death mask, decoration. (1 box available).
Key Stage: 2, 3, 4.

Egyptian Costume

Replica costume: wealthy and poor costume, (suitable to try on). (1 box available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3.

Egyptian Everyday Life Artefacts*

Beads, pots, amulets, make-up jars, etc. (4 boxes available).
Experience Ancient Egyptian daily life through genuine, thousands of years old artefacts! Pack includes curatorial, material analysis and drawing activities, alongside imaginative craft ideas.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Egyptian Funerary Artefacts*

Amulets, scarab beetles, Osiris figures etc. (2 boxes available).
The ancient Egyptian views concerning the afterlife are fascinating, and this box allows pupils a close-up encounter with death masks, amulets and shabti dolls. Interactive pack includes craft ideas and ancient games.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4.

First World War

Queen Mary tin, trench periscope, identity card, death plaque, gas rattle, medals. (2 boxes available). 
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Greek Costume

Replica costume: wealthy and poor costume, (suitable to try on). (6 boxes available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3.

Greek Everyday Life*

Oil lamps, sling shots, arrow heads, coins, rings etc. (3 boxes available).
The daily life of Ancient Greek is at your fingertips: explore Ancient Greek worship and war through genuine artefacts. The pack contains Ancient Olympic activities, recipes, worksheets and craft ideas to bring history to life.
Key Stage:  1, 2, 3, 4.

Greek Replica Artefacts and Sculpture*

Replica artefacts: Achilles plaque, theatrical masks, discus, coin, lamps, CD of music, posters and slides, Maenad sculpture.
Explore Ancient Greek culture through replica artefacts, including sport, theatre, sculpture and music. Activity pack includes everything you need to create an immersive history experience in the classroom.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Native American Indians

Replica artefacts: wooden carvings, books and cassette tape. (1 box available).
Key Stage: 2, 3, 4.

Native American Indian Costume

Replica artefacts: male and female costume. (2 boxes available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Native American Indian Warbonnet

Replica artefact: Warbonnet (not suitable for wearing). (1 box available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Prehistoric*

Hammer, archer’s wristband, spokeshave, axes, core, chisel, and arrowheads. (1 box available).
Travel back to Prehistoric Britain and explore life in the Stone Age, using genuine artefacts which are tens of thousands of years old! Pack includes drawing activities, digital resources, and ideas for outdoor adventures.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Roman Costume

Replica costume: wealthy and poor costume, (suitable to try on). (5 boxes available).
Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2, 3.

Roman Everyday Life*

Replica artefacts: oil lamp, coins, knucklebones game, wax tablets and styli and torc bracelets. (5 boxes available).
Journey back to Roman Britain and explore how Romans spent their daily lives, using replica writing tools, ancient board games and lamps. Pack includes digital resources, interactive activities and worksheets.
Key Stage: Foundation 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Roman Kitchen*

Replica artefacts: mortaria, samian ware bowl, hunt cup and face pot. (3 boxes available).
The Romans enjoyed some unusual cuisine: rotten fish sauce anybody? Explore Ancient Roman culture using replica pots and the activities in the pack, including recipes, worksheets and digital resources.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Roman Mancetter 

Various pottery shards, flagon fragment etc. (1 box available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Roman Settlers*

Oil lamps, coins, mosaic fragments, pottery shards etc. (6 boxes available).
The Romans invaded Britain about 2000 years ago and left 400 years later! Archaeological evidence of their stay remains, and this box allows students to explore genuine artefacts made and used by Romans in Britain.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Roman Soldier Costume

Replica costume: (suitable to try on). (3 boxes available).
Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2, 3.

Roman Wall*

Various pottery shards, flagon fragment etc. (1 box available).
‘Wall’ is a heritage site in Staffordshire, where visitors can explore the remains of a Roman town. The objects in this box were excavated at Wall, and offer a fascinating glimpse into everyday Roman life.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Second World War Air Raid Warden 

Stirrup pump, warden’s hat, flashlight, gas rattle etc. (1 box available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3.

Second World War Baby’s Gas Mask

Baby’s gas mask with demonstration doll. (3 boxes available).
Key Stage 1, 2, 3, 4.

Second World War Home Front

Blackout lamp, badges, shrapnel, whistle and documents relating to the home front and a set of posters. (1 box available).
Key Stage: 2, 3, 4.

Second World War Soldier's Kit

Goggles, uniform, cape and groundsheet. (1 box available).
Key Stage: 2, 3, 4.

Second World War Tin Hat 

Choose two from Air Raid Warden, Fire Marshall or Soldier. (4 boxes available). 
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Tudors 1

Replica artefacts: goblet, coins, pattens, tyg, rushlight holder, trencher, lady's hat.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Tudors 2

Replica artefacts: horn mug, spoon, book, comb and pane, inkwell, quill pen, shaker.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3.

Tudor Costume 

Replica costumes: wealthy and poor costumes – male OR female (please specify your preference on booking form), (suitable to try on). (4 boxes available).
Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2, 3.

Tudor Costume Boy and Girl 

Replica costume: Tudor costume for a boy and a girl (suitable to try on). Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2, 3.

Tudor Costume Henry VIII and Lady

Replica costume: Tudor costume in the style of Henry VIII and a Tudor Lady (suitable to try on).
Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2, 3.

Tudor Everyday Life*

Replica artefacts: horn mug, spoon, book, comb and pane, inkwell, quill pen, shaker. (5 boxes available).
Explore the differences between rich and poor Tudors using replica objects of everyday tools. Pack includes digital resources, dance instructions, information about Blakesley Hall and fun craft ideas.
Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2, 3, 4.

Tudor Plague Doctor’s Costume

Replica costume: Plague doctor’s mask, hat and cape (suitable to try on).
Key Stage: 2, 3, 4.

Victorian Everyday Life*

Stoneware hot water bottles, chambersticks, coins, candle snuffers, etc. (6 boxes available).
Travel back to Victorian Britain and explore the way people lived 200 years ago, using genuine artefacts! Pack includes recipes for the wealthy and the workhouse, craft activities and digital access to museum resources.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Victorian Replica Costume

Replica costumes: wealthy and poor costumes – male OR female (please specify your preference on booking form), (suitable to try on). (4 boxes available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3.

Victorian Women’s and Children’s Clothes 

Authentic ladies underwear – combinations, nightdresses, camisoles, drawers (not to be tried on). (6 boxes available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3

Vikings

Replica artefacts: pair of shoes, oil lamp, coins, purse, wool, beads, wooden spoon, Thor’s Hammer, tooling leather, bracelets etc. (2 boxes available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Combine a Loans Box and Online Session

Add even more excitement to your Museum in a Box experience with an online session! Book an interactive live stream with our history experts and experience a museum visit from the comfort of your classroom. These inspiring shows explore the loan box through fascinating facts and storytelling, whisk you away on a virtual gallery tour or transport you to the past with mummification, Roman soldier training and mythological monsters. Check out our Ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian online sessions .

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19th and 20th Century

A lot has changed in the past two centuries, but we have more in common with our 19th and 20th century ancestors than we might think! Explore the not-so-distant past with an interactive loan box, containing everyday objects that range from familiar to bizarre. Create a display about the lives of your great, great grandparents!

1920s Home Life

Assorted artefacts including: male and female clothing, dress-making patterns, ladies hair clippers, ornaments, buttons, purse, shoes, ointment. (1 box available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

1930s Home Life

Assorted artefacts including: clothing for men, women and children, night light, cigar box, “Brownie” camera. (1box available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

1940s Home Life

Assorted artefacts including: clothing for men, women and children, literature from the era (magazines and books), metal shoe tree, etc. (2 boxes available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

1950s Home Life

Assorted artefacts including: literature from the era (magazines and books), shoes, clothing, curlers. (1 box available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Bed Warmers

A variety of bed warmers: stoneware, copper, Bakelite and rubber. (1 box available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Canals Artefacts

Picture, water carrier, frying pan, dipper, stool, mug, candlestick, red can with filter. (3 boxes available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3.

Corner Shop - Victorian to 1950s 

Cigarette tin, toffee hammer, milk chocolate tin, counter bell, stoneware beer bottle, shopkeeper’s apron, paper bag, tea container, coffee bottle. (1 box available)
Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Footwear, Handbags, Hats and Haberdashery

Victorian to 1950s footwear and a selection of handbags, hats and sewing patterns from the past. (2 boxes available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Heating / Lighting

Examples of heating and lighting from 1920s-1940s. (1 box available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Kitchen Life

A variety of kitchen artefacts dating from 1920s-1950s. (2 boxes available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 

Lady’s Boudoir

19th and early 20th century bedroom artefacts. (1 box available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Medicine Through Time

Bile beans tin, enema tin, glass eyebath, medicine bottle, carbolic acid atomiser, feeding cup and various other medical related artefacts. (1 box available). Key Stage: 3, 4, 5.

Nursery Days in the Past

Late 19th and early 20th century nursery artefacts. (2 boxes available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

School Days in the Past

Late 19th and early 20th century schoolroom artefacts. (2 boxes available).
Key Stage: 2, 3, 4, 5.

Seaside Holidays

Brownie box cameras, swimwear, sunglasses, penny lick, sand flags, postcards. (2 boxes available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3.

Seaside Puppets

Punch, Judy, Policeman, Baby and Crocodile. (1 box available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3.

Sugar (Soho House)

A loans box developed in liaison with Soho House: contains items relating to the history of sugar. (1 box available).
Key Stage: 2, 3, 4, 5.

Matthew Boulton (Soho House)

A loans box developed in liaison with Soho house: contains items relating to the history  of Matthew Boulton. (1 box a vailable) Key Stage: 2, 3, 4, 5.

Toys from the Past 

Replica artefacts: sets of wooden toys including Jacob’s ladders, cup and balls, Archie acrobats, wooden tops and a zoetrope per box. (5 boxes available).
Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2, 3.

Upstairs / Downstairs 

Late 19th and early 20th century artefacts from kitchen and drawing room. (1 box available). 
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Washday in the Past

Washboard, dolly peg, flat iron, carbolic soap. (2 boxes available).
Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2.

What’s This? 

Late 19th, early 20th century artefacts to stimulate discussion and develop historical skills. (2 boxes available).
Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Women’s Clothes and Children’s Clothes 

Two boxes: A selection of women’s clothes from 1950s and selection of children’s clothing from 1930s-1950s. (1 box available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Zoetropes 

6 plastic zoetropes, animation strips, information pack and worksheets. (2 boxes available).
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

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Religion

Explore the traditions of the Buddhist or Jewish faiths with a loan box of religious objects. Each item has been donated by a member of the community and would perfectly supplement class discussions concerning belief and culture.

Buddhism

Prayer beads, Guanyin statue, Buddha Rupa, embroidery, bell, fragment of frieze.
Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Judaism

Seder plate, Kiddush cup, Kippah, Tallit, Mezuzah, Hanukkiah and DVD Foundation.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

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World Cultures

Travel across the world and explore vibrant cultures with an object handling box: each loan box offers exciting opportunities for art activities, class discussions, further research and even a music making session!

African Textiles and Sculpture

Original West African textiles and adinkra stamps, replica Benin Plaque.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Masks

Replica artefacts: African dot-painted mask, Ganesh mask and Raksassa mask.
Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

World Music: Asia

Box containing a variety of musical instruments from Asia.
Key stage: Foundation, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

World Music: South America

Box containing a variety of musical instruments from South America.
Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

World Music: West Africa

Box containing a variety of musical instruments from west Africa.
Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

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Art

Reflect on the beautiful patterns of the world around us: whether this means the swirling geometry of kaleidoscopes or the natural beauty of shells and fossils. Perfect for inspiring art activities, discussing design concepts or investigating the splendour of the great outdoors.

Designoscopes, Kaleidoscopes, Miragescopes and Periscope

A set of various refracting and reflecting scopes.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Sources of Design

A selection of corals, driftwood, fossils, an abalone shell and sheep skull.
Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Van Gogh Prints

A selection of the Dutch artist’s finest works, displayed in an A1 folder.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Fractals/Abstracts

Abstract and postmodern art prints, displayed in an A1 folder.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Art at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery - Portraits

Selected prints, showing Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery’s impressive collection. Displayed in an A1 folder.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Art at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery - Landscapes

Selected prints, showing Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery’s impressive collection. Displayed in an A1 folder.
Key Stage: 1, 2, 3, 4.

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Story Boxes

Bring your favourite tales to life using props and costumes! Whether you are counting fruit with Handa, dancing with elves or cuddling baby owls, these loan boxes are sure to get everyone up on their feet and enjoying these storybooks. Story boxes come with a large full colour story book and a selection of props to bring stories to life in the classroom.

The Elves and the Shoemaker 

Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Foundation, 1, 2.

Handa’s Surprise

Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2.

Little Red Riding Hood 

Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2.

Owl Babies 

Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2.

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Natural History

Our expansive selection of taxidermy and mounted skeletons supplement Biology, Art, History and Geography lessons: whether used to discuss environmental adaptation or as a subject in still life art classes, these loan boxes are fascinating and intriguing.

Birds

All birds are in individual Perspex covers within wooden carrying boxes. 3 for £50. Key Stage: Foundation, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Animals

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