Stone Age

I have always loved history—not just reading about it, but experiencing it, making it tangible. In Denmark there are all these very hands-on-museums about the Stone Age and I really wanted to visit them with my kids— but for now we have to do our own thing, I once dreamed of becoming an archaeologist, and I would love to bring that joy for history on to my girls!

When we started our Stone Age unit study, I wanted it to be more than a series of lessons. I wanted us to build, craft, and explore in a way that made the past feel real. So, we began with a simple idea: creating a tiny Stone Age home where our Maileg mice would take on the roles of gatherers and hunters. Mathilde carefully constructed a miniature dwelling using sticks and clay, just as people once did thousands of years ago. For the roof, we used a piece of leftover leather from Soft Star Shoes (I knew I’d find a use for it one day—ha!).

Madison and I built a small fireplace using clay and pebbles, then added burned matches as firewood. Mathilde found some yellow wool to use as flames. It was a small detail, but it made the fire feel real. With the fire crackling in our minds, we shaped spears from FIMO clay, their tips sharpened for imaginary fishing in a stream, we made complete with miniature fish. Finally we made berries, and apples. Every addition brought the scene to life—each piece contributing to the story we were creating.

One of the highlights of this unit was a trip to the beach. As we played at the shoreline, we talked about what it must have been like to stand in that same spot hundreds of thousands of years ago. Among the shifting sand and pebbles, we gathered tiny seashells to scatter around our village, imagining them as remnants of past meals.

Creating with Earth and Stone

Back home, we made trees from rosemary sprigs and weathered sticks, their scent filling the air as we worked. We still had a miniature mammoth skeleton from last year’s Ice Age unit, so Mathilde placed it at the edge of our village—a reminder of a past hunt, a story woven into our scene.

We also made tiny pots from air-drying red clay, pressing and shaping them with our fingers. There was something grounding about it—just molding the clay, knowing that people once depended on this skill for survival.

My First Attempt at Mini Pottery

Mathilde was a lot more creative than I and made lids and cups — we just used simple air drying red clay - it would have been amazing finding our own clay but we don’t live in an area with very much clay in the soil so I opted for store bought.

One afternoon, it rained steadily all day and night. Mathilde spent hours outside, digging in the wet earth, feeling the texture, shaping it with her hands. She was completely absorbed in her exploration, so we skipped the workbooks that day. When she finally came inside, mud streaked across her hands and cheeks, we curled up and watched a documentary about early humans.

A Lesson That Stays with Us

This deep dive into the Stone Age wasn’t just about history—it was about making it real. It was about using our hands, our imagination, and the world around us to bring the past into the present. And as Mathilde played with our tiny village, her Maileg mice wrapped in leather cloaks, their spears in hand, I saw it—that spark of connection. The realization that history isn’t just something to memorize. It’s something we can build, touch, and make our own.

This is why we learn this way. Because understanding the past isn’t just about reading—it’s about doing.

Here is a list of the books we used:

Stone Age & History Book List

🦣 Prehistoric & Ice Age Books

1. Mammoths on the Move – Lisa Wheeler & Kurt Cyrus (April 1, 2006)
   A beautifully written poem about mammoths, their migration, and life in the Ice Age. Engaging, rhythmic, and fun for kids of all ages!

2. The Forever Sky – Thomas Peacock & Annette S. Lee
   A heartfelt story inspired by Native American traditions about the connection between family, ancestors, and the night sky. A beautifully illustrated and meaningful book!

3. Goodnight Ice Age – For the Toddler!
   A simple and engaging book perfect for younger children, introducing Ice Age animals and the prehistoric world in a cozy bedtime story format.

4. You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Mammoth Hunter! – John Malam
   A fun and humorous look at the dangers of Ice Age life! This engaging book brings history to life through funny illustrations and facts about prehistoric survival.

5. A Child Through Time: The Book of Children's History – Phil Wilkinson & Steve Noon
   A fascinating book that explores the lives of children throughout history, including the Stone Age and beyond. Beautiful illustrations and engaging storytelling bring history to life through the eyes of young people from different cultures and time periods.

🔨 Stone Age Learning & Storybooks

1. Stone Age Boy – Satoshi Kitamura
   A delightful picture book that follows a modern boy who accidentally time-travels to the Stone Age and learns how early humans lived. A great mix of storytelling and history!

2. DK Find Out! Stone Age – DK Publishing
   A visually engaging, fact-filled book that provides young learners with an in-depth look at the Stone Age, featuring real artifacts, illustrations, and fun interactive elements.

3. Live Like a Hunter-Gatherer: Discovering the Secrets of the Stone Age – Naomi Walmsley & Mia Underwood(August 9, 2022)
   A hands-on, interactive book that explores how Stone Age people lived, built shelters, made tools, and survived in the wild. Packed with fun activities for kids!

4. My Best Book of Early People (The Best Book of) – Margaret Hynes & Mike White (April 25, 2003)
   A great introduction to early humans, covering the daily life, tools, food, and survival of our ancestors. Perfect for curious kids exploring prehistory!

5. Timeline Science: The Ice Age – Emily Rose Oachs (October 1, 2017)
   A well-structured book explaining the Ice Age with fascinating details about the prehistoric world, the formation of glaciers, and how early humans adapted to the changing environment.

📖 General History & Ancient Civilizations

1. Encyclopedia of World History – Jane Bingham (April 1, 2013)
   A comprehensive reference book covering world history, including the Stone Age. Great for curious minds who love digging deep into historical facts!

2. History Quest: Early Times – Lisa Hawkins (2019)
   An engaging narrative that takes readers from the Paleolithic period through the eighth century C.E., exploring ancient civilizations and empires. Designed for elementary-age children, it includes imaginative "History Hop!" sections and hand-drawn illustrations to bring history to life. Ideal as a read-aloud for younger students or an independent read.

3. History Alive! The Ancient World – Wendy Frey (2004)
   This textbook introduces students to the beginnings of human history, covering early civilizations such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, Greece, and Rome. It's part of the "History Alive!" series by the Teachers' Curriculum Institute, known for its interactive and student-centered approach to learning history.