You’ll experience low-prep engagement with this Toys Now and Then Vocabulary Sorting Activity, a simple cut-and-paste past and present toys worksheet for Kindergarten and EAL/D learners.

Toys Now and Then Vocabulary Sorting Activity helps students understand the difference between toys from the past (then) and toys children play with today (now).

Students explore how toys have changed over time by looking at pictures, sorting vocabulary, and discussing the differences between past and present toys.

This activity is ideal for Kindergarten and early primary classrooms, particularly for EAL/D and ESL learners, because it uses clear visuals, repetition, and simple sentence structures to build vocabulary and support oral language.

It also supports NSW History outcome HSE-HIS-01, as students identify aspects of daily life in the past and present using images and discussion.

What’s Included

✔ Cut-and-paste vocabulary sorting worksheet

✔ Toy picture cards for sorting

✔ Two student worksheet versions (boy and girl)

✔ Answer key for quick checking

✔ Vocabulary picture cards featuring past and modern toys

✔ Clear teacher instructions and suggested sentence frames

Students sort toys such as:

Now (Today)

• remote control car
• ride-on toy car
• fidget spinner
• modern teddy bear
• plastic doll
• electric train set

Then (Long Ago)

• wooden toy car
• rocking horse
• rag doll
• spinning top
• old teddy bear
• wooden toy train

This activity is EAL/D-friendly, which means students are supported with visual vocabulary, repetition, and simple sentence frames.

Whether you are teaching history vocabulary, introducing the concept of past and present, or supporting beginner English learners, this resource helps students build language while understanding historical change.

Suggested sentence frames include:

• Children play with this toy now.
• Children played with this toy long ago.
• This toy is from the past.

These structures help students practise both vocabulary and simple past/present language patterns.

Ways to Use This Resource

⭐ Whole-class History lesson introduction

⭐ Vocabulary practice for EAL/D students

⭐ Cut-and-paste literacy centre

⭐ Small-group discussion activity

⭐ Early finishers task

⭐ Assessment evidence for past and present understanding

✨ Grab this activity today and make learning about past and present toys simple, visual, and engaging for young learners!

If you found this resource useful, please consider leaving a review and exploring other EAL/D and ESL resources in my store.