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Vikings: Raiders vs Traders KS2

A Viking warrior woman brandishes an axe menacingly

Bring the Viking age to life with this high-energy, hands-on workshop where pupils become part of the story. 

Join a Viking crew newly landed on Saxon shores with a decision to make: should they seize riches through raiding or build wealth and alliances by trading? Through active challenges, object handling and craft, pupils will explore the reality of the Viking reputation. 

Prepare your class for their voyage, or keep the learning going back in the classroom with our free Vikings Learning Resources, designed to support KS2 learning on the Viking and Anglo-Saxon struggle for England. 

Royal Armouries Museum

Workshop

KS2

90 Minutes

£5 Per Pupil

What to expect

This lively, character-led workshop gives pupils a memorable way to investigate Viking life, conflict and contact with Anglo-Saxon England. 

Viking Raider

Pupils train as a Viking raiding crew and explore why fear, reputation and teamwork mattered when the Vikings attacked England. Pupils learn about battle tactics and the arms and armour used by Viking warriors. 

Viking Trader 

Pupils join a Viking trader to discover that the Vikings were also skilled makers, travellers and traders. They will handle replica Viking weapons, investigate what made them valuable and create their own pattern-welded sword craft inspired by Viking metalworking. 

Curriculum Focus

This workshop supports the KS2 history study of the Viking and Anglo-Saxon struggle for the Kingdom of England. 

  • History: Viking raids, trade, settlement and interaction with Anglo-Saxon England. 
  • History: Chronology and context. Set shortly after the Lindisfarne raid, the workshop paces pupils within a key moment at the beginning of the Viking Age. 
  • English: Builds vocabulary and key language around the Vikings, such as raid, trade and reputation. 
  • Physical Education: Active, team-based challenges support movement, coordination and collaborative problem-solving. 

This workshop is best suited to classes studying the Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, conflict, settlement, migration and early medieval Britain. 

Gallery Links

Horses with armour and men wearing armour in a museum gallery
The War Gallery

War Gallery

(Early War)

Explore how the history of warfare has changed from the early days of hand-to-hand combat to today’s technology-based warfare, including our new display on the Second World War.

Visit the War Gallery

Book Now

When you email us, please provide the following information:

  • Name and address of school, organisation, or home educated group
  • First, second, and third choice of date
  • Number of pupils and number of adults
  • If you would like to visit the museum shop
  • If you require coach parking
  • Any other additional information you’d like us to know (e.g special education needs) 

Find our Education Bookings Terms and Conditions 

Email: educate.leeds@armouries.org.uk

Phone: 07785 692443

Due to the high volume of enquiries we receive, please only call us if you have already booked a visit and your enquiry is urgent. 

Learning packs and resources

Education Visit Pack 2025-2026 (pdf, 576KB)

Contact our communications team if you require documents in an alternative format.

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