This lesson plan is all about the real lives of children in Victorian London — not the fun adventure stories, but the hard truth about poverty, workhouses, child labour, and daily struggles. It’s designed to help you explain what life was like for working-class children during the 1800s, especially in the fog-filled streets of a growing industrial city. The plan uses discussion and creative tasks to help children understand how unfair and dangerous life could be back then, while encouraging empathy and critical thinking.

I’ve kept everything simple and easy to follow, even if you’re not confident with history. You’ll find clear instructions, guiding questions, and ideas for deeper learning. It’s suitable for a wide age range (8–16), so you can pick the activities that work best for your child. There’s no need to memorise facts — just read together, ask questions, and talk about what life was really like. If your child enjoys storytelling or drawing, there are some great projects included too.