Handling boxes are available in a variety of subject areas,
including Ancient Egypt, Vikings, Romans and Animals.
See inside our handling boxes
Want to see what's in the boxes? You can explore selected items
from our handling collections below.
Our Amazing Animals handling collection contains 15 real animal specimens from our zoology collections. By examining them you will be able to use observation, investigation, discussion, identification and comparison skills.
Almost everything we know about Scotland’s Early People has been found out by researching the objects they left behind. Our Scotland’s Early People handling collection contains 11 real artefacts.
There are thought to be about 10,000 living species of birds and 5,500 species of mammals. Our birds and mammals handling collection contains 14 specimens.
For hundreds of years, Scots have left this country to live and work abroad. Our emigration handling collection contains nine original artefacts and nine written sources from our collection to explore.
Ceramics have been made for thousands of years. Our handling collection contains 17 pieces, which demonstrate the three kinds of ceramics: porcelain, stoneware and earthenware.
A meteorite is a portion of a meteoroid or asteroid that survives its passage through Earth’s atmosphere and falls to the ground without being destroyed. Our meteorite handling collection contains 11 real specimens.
Our mystery items handling collection contains 12 real artefacts from our collection. These objects come from all over the world - but what are they used for?
Teachers' notes
Click on the links to download the teachers' notes, which
provide facts and ideas for questions and discussion with your
class.
Booking a handling box
Handling boxes are available every day, but must be booked in
advance. To book, please call 0131 247 4041 or email
schools@nms.ac.uk