Create a World War 2 air raid shelter

In this project learners will learn about the protection given to people in the Second World War. They will then make their own model of an Anderson shelter from card.

This activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach learners about The Second World War. It could also be used as part of a wider scheme of learning focussing on structures or as a focussed practical task focussed on model making.

Activity: Create a cardboard model of a World War 2 air raid shelter

This is one of a series of resources that are designed to allow learners to use the theme of the second world war to develop their knowledge and understanding in Design & Technology and Engineering. This resource was inspired by the themes of the World War 2 and Flight. It supports the teaching of design and technology in context by making a model of an Anderson (air raid) shelter using graphic materials.

Tools/supplies needed:

Resources required:

• Scissors
• Card or cardboard (cereal box)
• Glue sticks
• Masking tape (optional)
• Coloured pens/pencils

Follow our step-by-step guide to make a World War 2 air raid shelter

Construct the shelter building

Step 1 – Cut out the parts

• Carefully cut along all the solid outlines
• Glue onto card or cardboard
• When glue is dry, cut out the cardboard

Step 2 – Scoring

• Score along the dotted line, and fold

Step 3 – Gluing

• Place some glue on the longest tab and hold against the opposite face
• Put glue on the tabs for the side nearest the door and stick against the front panel 

Step 4 – Assembly

• Repeat with the remaining side and press until the glue dries
• You could use masking tape to hold it until dry, then remove the tape

Step 5 – Back and front pieces

• Glue the two back pieces together back-to-back
• Glue the two front pieces together back-to-back so that the entrance lines up

Step 6 – Front assembly

• Place glue on the front end of the shelter
• Carefully glue the front piece to the shelter, making sure the entrances lines up

Step 7 – Back assembly

• Put glue on the back of the shelter
• Fix the back panel to the shelter - make sure the panel is central, with the bottom edge lined up with the bottom edge of the shelter

Step 8 – Decorate

• Leave the shelter part of the model to dry
• Decorate the front and back of your shelter to make it look real

Construct the base

Step 1 – Cutting out

• Cut out the base and hole for the shelter

Step 2 – Scoring

• Score the fold in the card and fold

Step 3 – Glue

• Glue the four corner tabs together to form a box shape

Step 4 – Assemble

• Allow the glue to dry, then apply glue to the remaining tabs and stick them down
• Leave the base section to dry 

Construct the earth cover

Step 1

• Colour in the grass on the top with a felt tip pen
• Cut out the shape including any tabs
• Score along the dotted lines and fold

Step 2 – Assembly

• Place glue on tabs and stick to the opposite faces
• Let the glue dry

Finished model

• Fit your shelter into the slot in the base 
• Place the grass-covered earth section of the model over your model - this provided more protection

Extension

• Design a suitable layout for the interior – what would be needed? How would you arrange everything?
• Remember a whole family would be inside!

The Engineering Context

Understanding about how to keep people safe inspires engineers to develop new materials, objects and structures. This develops the world we live in and improves the quality of living for all.

Suggested learning outcomes

This resource combines Design and Technology and Engineering with History , with the aim that the learners will be able to know what is meant by an Anderson Shelter and be able to follow instructions and model an idea accurately.

Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources

All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.

The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

You can download our step-by-step instructions below as a classroom lesson plan and PowerPoint presentation.

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