NNFN2023 Ideas: Matchboxes

‘Matchboxes’ is a lovely activity to share with children and one which is easily adapted to fiction, poetry- anything you wish! These boxes are readily available at craft shops, but any small- or larger- box can be used to accommodate the number and size of the objects. There is usually a lot of excitement around the opening of the box and exploring the contents. The idea is for the children to make a connection between the objects in the box and possible topics and, in my experience, the level of conversation, connections, ideas and memories this generates is amazing.

If the boxes are carefully created with some non-fiction texts in mind, then it becomes very easy to guide children to these so that they can discover more. An Egyptian themed box will quickly help identify what the group knows about each object- and by association, places they have visited, things they have seen, connected books and films and plenty of general knowledge facts. It might also raise questions- What is the significance of the hippo? Is the blue figure a mummy? How was papyrus made? - which can then be explored through some of the texts available. A good teacher knows that a little planning goes a long way and so making sure they can actually find information about the objects on offer is important. The children might wish to turn the box into a mini-museum by adding labels with information to each object.

Other boxes might be more open ended. Fossils and pictures/ small toys of dinosaurs might lead children to discuss the work of palaeontologists like Mary Anning, how fossils are created, the Jurassic Coast or Darwin and evolution.

Children also enjoy creating their own boxes and so another book group session might be devoted to sharing those they have made themselves! Have fun!