Maritime History Activities and Resources
Explore our collection of fun and informative activities and resources, available to help support teaching of the Isle of Wight’s maritime history.
Artist-led Activities
Origami Boats Video
Artist Ian Whitmore demonstrates how to make your own origami boat.
Download the accompanying instructions and diagram.
Hammerhead Crane Painting Video
Artist Ian Whitmore creates a painting inspired by the hammerhead crane in Cowes, the only surviving one of its type in England.
Download the accompanying instructions and template.
Dazzle Camouflage Video
Find out more about the camouflage Dazzle that was used to disguise ships in World War Two with artist Ian Whitmore.
Download the accompanying instructions and template.
Parachutes of Hope: a mandala activity
Take inspiration from the Airborne Lifeboat designed by Uffa Fox in about 1943 to design a colourful circular mandala using symbols and colours that inspire and represent our hopes and dreams in this activity created by artist Liz Cooke.
Download the accompanying description, template and curriculum links and further ideas.
The Monkton Merman
Dive into the story of the mythical Monkton Merman. Learn about the history of Ryde, the impact of people on local wildlife and natural habitats and the recent establishment of the Island’s biosphere reserve with this resource created by artist Jenna Sabine.
Download the Monkton Merman resource.
Top Treasure Activity Sheets
Discover some of the Island’s top historical treasures which are in the care of our museums with these activities. Each sheet introduces a treasure with questions to think about, a fact file of information and suggestions for further fun activities.
Click on the images below to open the full activity sheet.
Classic Boat Museum
Shipwreck Centre and Maritime Museum
Tell Me a Story… Storytelling Ideas and Activities
Commissioned from local storyteller Sue Bailey, these activity sheets are packed with creative ideas to inspire activities in the classroom, at our museums and beyond. The activities have been designed to support Arts Award Explore but can readily be adapted for other levels or used to inspire fun activities undertaken without formal Arts Award assessment.
Click on the images below to open the full activity sheet.
Arts Award Activities
Developed by the Museums and Schools partnership to support Arts Award Explore, these activity sheets include lots of creative activity ideas anyone can use.
Click on the images below to open the full activity sheet.
Hidden Hero: Joe Carstairs
Known as the ‘fastest woman on the water’ in the 1920s. She was an openly gay, female powerboat racer who spent several years on the Isle of Wight.
This resource was created as part of the Hidden Heroes project.
Oral Histories: Memories of the Sea
Discover the stories and voices of the Island’s maritime past on the Memories of the Sea website.
Learn more about what oral history is and why do we do it in these guides written by local oral history specialist Lisa Kerley.
Interested in booking a visit or workshop?
Visits and workshops to help you discover more of the Island’s maritime history are available at the Classic Boat Museum or Shipwreck Centre and Maritime Museum (with lots of sessions also available for delivery in school, please enquire for more details).