Past and Present
Reception · History
Talk about the past, the present and the people who help us.
Choose a game
Take your time, try a game and collect stars.
Long ago and now
A steam train or an electric car? Sort things from long ago and now in this free Reception history game.
Play Long ago and nowPeople who help us
Match firefighters, vets and teachers to the jobs they do in this free Reception game.
Play People who help us
Learning about past and present
These Reception History games practise Long ago and now, People who help us. Choose a game above for a short activity, or explore the examples below before you play. The full guide for each game explains its controls, gives more examples and includes a free printable for practice away from the screen.
Talk it through
Look at old family photos or toys together. Read the cards aloud and talk about what has changed and what is still the same.
Ask: “Was it like this when Grandma was little?” Give your child time to explain. Return to an example after playing and ask whether they would approach it differently.
Long ago and now
Long ago, people used different things from the ones we use now, like candles instead of electric lights.
Try an example: 🚂 A steam train
Steam trains were used long ago; most trains are electric or diesel now.
Show the answer
Long ago
What to look out for
Thinking old means broken Old things worked well; they were just made differently.
People who help us
People in our community have jobs that help us, from firefighters to teachers and vets.
Try an example: 👩🚒 Firefighter
Firefighters come in a fire engine.
Show the answer
puts out fires
What to look out for
Mixing up doctors and dentists Dentists look after teeth.
Practise away from the screen
- Ask a grandparent what toys they had.
- Spot people who help on a walk, such as postal workers or bin collectors.
Curriculum connections
These games support selected practice connected to the Past and Present early learning goal in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework for England. The goals describe what children are expected to know and do by the end of Reception. A game offers a few playful examples; it does not assess a goal.
Questions families ask
Where should we start with past and present?
Start with Long ago and now. Look at the worked example together, then try a round. If the task feels unfamiliar, use the full game guide or its free printable before trying again.
Does this cover everything taught at this level?
No. These games give short, playful practice. Reception learning is mostly hands-on play, talk and stories, so use the games alongside those, not instead of them.