I wanted to make a toy set to encourage imaginative play while teaching children about history. I looked at toy sets for ages 1-5 and they focused on everyday life so I saw an opportunity. I picked Vikings in the medieval time period because they are exciting and would be fun for children.
SKETCH
I wanted to make a 3-part toy set: a feasting hall, the long boat, and the church the Vikings would invade. I wanted it to be somewhat historically accurate but still cute and fun for kids.
FEASTING HALL
The Feasting Hall was modeled after an actual feasting hall. It can be 3D printed. It has furniture and figures that are big enough that 1–3-year-olds cannot swallow them. The fire pit and lanterns at the front door light up. I wanted it to be in a way like a doll house but for Vikings
BOAT
The boat is a Viking long boat. It has wheels to roll along the floor and also floats.
MONASTERY
The church was inspired by Lindisfarne Monastery, the site of one of the first recorded Viking attacks, as well as other churches and monasteries. As the Vikings attacked churches and monasteries continued, monks started to make hiding places so the Vikings could find their treasures. My church has one.
FIGURES AND FURNITURE
ALL TOGETHER
