How would you like to be involved in an activity equally interesting for a small child and a mature adult? The Reading Ancient Schoolroom offers such an opportunity in this intergenerational workshop catering simultaneously to both age ranges. Safe, comfortable and child-friendly modern adaptations of ancient school techniques will be offered for the younger member of the pair, along with experts’ discussions of the historical background for the older member. The use of Roman costumes is included (and recommended, as costumes will partially protect your clothes), but not required.

Activities include:

·         writing or drawing with a stylus on a replica Roman waxed tablet,

·         making Roman ink and learning how to use it,

·         making Roman paint and learning how to use it,

·         making (from soy wax) a magical gem that ought to protect against tummyache,

·         learning how to count with Roman numerals and/or a Roman counting board,

·         ancient geometry: drawing designs in wet sand,

·         sewing: making a Roman purse,

·         spinning yarn.

Additional options for primary-school-aged children include:

·         reading excerpts from Greek and Roman literature as ancient schoolchildren would have seen it,

·         Aesop’s fables: reading them, acting them out, and composing your own fable,

·         making (from metallic paper) a Roman curse tablet,

·         Roman arithmetic using dried beans on counting boards,

·         making a reed pen (requires using a sharp knife and therefore supervision by the older member of the pair),

·         beginners’ Latin.

This workshop is designed for small children (aged 3-8) and their grandparents, but children accompanied by other types of adult are also welcome. Everyone should wear clothes that can cope with stains: neither Roman ink nor Roman paint washes out easily. The workshop will be held in the reconstructed Roman villa at Butser Ancient Farm, admission to which is included in the workshop fee. Afterwards you will be able to explore the rest of the farm, where various other activities will be on offer. You may bring your own lunch and picnic on the grounds, or purchase sandwiches, snacks and hot or cold beverages from the farm’s gift shop.

This workshop is offered by the Reading Ancient Schoolroom, an educational charity started at the University of Reading in 2014 with the aim of bringing Roman schools to life and sharing them with today’s children. The Ancient Schoolroom will be in residence at Butser’s Roman villa from 19-25 August 2026, offering a range of workshops and drop-in activities.

If you have any mobility concerns, special requirements, or other practical questions, please contact admin@butserancientfarm.co.uk. For questions about workshop content, please contact the Reading Ancient Schoolroom at E.Dickey@reading.ac.uk.