battle models/reinactments?

[Kate in Arabia]

Have any of you tried someone along these lines? I have two boys whom I think would love to have some kind of craft/activity when studying some of the battles we're covering in history, but I'm searching for ideas.. maybe a map glued on cardboard and use pushpins or toy soldiers to set up a model?

Just wondering if anyone has tried something along these lines and has some ideas/suggestions..

tia!

Kate

[Unicorn]

My dc made a diorama with their toy Roman soldiers. Each child had a part of the scenery to make (road, trees, walls of Rome etc) while I read to them. After they were finished making the scenery and glueing it into the shoebox, they got to place the soldiers and weapons and created a battle scene. They loved it! The battle raged on around here for months, and everyday the "battle" would change. Somebody was always rearranging the men. We used clay to hold the stuff in place, and the soldiers positions were easily changed.

HTH

[Tarheel Heather]

You can find kits at the teacher supply store, or purchase the stuff needed at an arts n craft store. Ds wants to make some after seeing the kits last week.

[Dot]

castles and forts out of shoeboxes, oatmeal boxes, etc. They got quite elaborate. As he got older, he wanted to paint the individual soldiers, too. We found a model shop and he ended up with loads of teeny tiny guys to paint. He and his dad spent many wonderful hours painting and talking. I had to be a bystander, there was no way I could see well enough to paint those little faces and limbs.