Imagine waking up in the Middle Ages. No lights to switch on — just candles and firelight. No faucet — you carry water from the well. No refrigerator — food is salted or dried to keep it from spoiling.
But some things would feel very familiar! Medieval kids loved games, just like you. They played ball, tag, and hide-and-seek. Families ate meals together and told stories at night. People celebrated holidays with music, dancing, and special food.
People long ago were different in HOW they lived, but the same in WHAT they loved: family, friends, food, and fun. Today you will compare your life to theirs!
1. How did medieval people light their homes at night?
2. How did they keep food from spoiling?
3. Name two games medieval kids played that you play too.
4. What did medieval people love that you love too?
Fill in the chart. For each part of life, write how it was THEN in the Middle Ages, and how it is NOW for you.
| Part of life | THEN (Middle Ages) |
|---|---|
| Light at night | |
| Getting water | |
| Keeping food fresh | |
| Learning | |
| Playing |
Write T for true or F for false in each circle.
1. What ONE modern thing would you miss most in the Middle Ages? Why?
2. What is one thing about medieval life that sounds fun to you?
3. What do you think kids 1,000 years FROM NOW will say about your life?
Draw two pictures: your evening at home NOW, and a medieval family's evening THEN.
| I learned... | Circle one |
|---|---|
| How medieval life was different from mine | YES / NOT YET |
| How medieval life was the same as mine | YES / NOT YET |
| Ways people stay the same across time | YES / NOT YET |