Step into the adventurous world of Christopher Columbus with our engaging KS2 Columbus LEGO workshop. In this 75 minute hands-on session, students will journey through Columbus’s quest to find a new route to the Indies, ultimately leading to the Caribbean islands. Through exciting building challenges, students will construct a LEGO model of one of Columbus’s famous ships, such as the Santa María, and recreate a settlement on a Caribbean island that explores the first encounters between Columbus’s crew and the indigenous Taino people.

This interactive school workshop immerses students in the Age of Exploration, covering Columbus’s motivations, challenges faced at sea, and the lasting impact of his voyages on both Europe and the New World. As students build, they gain insights into historical navigation, cultural exchanges, and the consequences of Columbus’s discovery. Perfect for KS2 classes, this workshop brings history to life through LEGO, fostering curiosity about world history and encouraging critical thinking on exploration and its effects.

Topic: Christopher Columbus – History KS2

Main Activity: Building a LEGO model of one of Columbus’ boats and a Caribbean Island Settlement

Duration: 75 Minutes

This workshop is part of our KS2 School Workshops series, focusing on the topic of Christopher Columbus. In addition to this workshop, we offer a variety of other engaging history themed workshops, such as Ancient Egypt, Roman Britain, Vikings and Mayans. These workshops are designed to educate and inspire young learners about historical topics and what we can learn from them.

In our KS2 Christopher Columbus school workshop, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of Columbus’s expeditions and their lasting impact on history. They will explore the motivations behind Columbus’s voyages, the challenges of navigation across the Atlantic, and the significance of his encounters with the indigenous Taino people.

Students will delve into the role of European explorers, the impact of cultural exchanges, and the far-reaching consequences of Columbus’s discovery on both Europe and the New World. Additionally, they will investigate the life at sea during Columbus’s time and the skills required to undertake such ambitious voyages. Through interactive and creative LEGO building activities, students will bring Columbus’s world to life by constructing a model of one of his ships and creating a collaborative Caribbean settlement, immersing themselves in the Age of Exploration.

By the end of this KS2 school workshop, students will be able to define and describe key elements of Christopher Columbus’s voyages and understand the historical and cultural significance of his discoveries. They will identify important aspects of Columbus’s journey, including his motivations, the ships he sailed, and the impact of his encounters with indigenous peoples.

Additionally, students will demonstrate their understanding by constructing detailed LEGO models of one of Columbus’s ships and a Caribbean settlement, incorporating navigation and building techniques relevant to the era. Through these models, they will reflect on the legacy of Columbus’s expeditions and the skills required for exploration, gaining insight into how his voyages reshaped the world.

Our KS2 Christopher Columbus LEGO Building Workshop is a 75 minute session packed with immersive, hands-on learning. We start with an engaging visual presentation that introduces Columbus’s voyages, exploring key facts about his motivations, the challenges of navigation, and the impact of his encounters with indigenous people.

This sets the stage for an exciting LEGO building challenge where children first construct one of Columbus’s famous ships and then create a vibrant Caribbean settlement, focusing on the features that would support exploration and early settlement.

We conclude the workshop by summarising the key lessons learned, encouraging teachers to capture photos of the LEGO creations. This workshop not only educates but also inspires creativity and critical thinking through playful construction, bringing the Age of Exploration to life for young learners.