Crazy for Castles! : 5 Picks for Kids Who Are Mad for Medieval

Turn your child’s fascination with knights or princesses into an opportunity to stretch their minds. We’ve found a set of books and games that will spark their imaginations, propelling your living room back to medieval times.

Days of Knights and Damsels, by Laurie Carlson. Fifty hands-on activities that teach what life was like in the days of yore. Kids can fashion a coat of armor out of milk bottles, pen secret proclamations in invisible ink, or construct their own hourglass. From dipping candles to concocting curds and whey, this brings an ancient world to life. $15. Ages 5-12. 

Howl’s Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones. Set in medieval times, this story about a young heroine (and hopeful witch), stuck in the flying castle of a tricky wizard, is sure to become a classic. Skip the movie and get the book. $6.99. Ages 11+.

Folding Castle Playset: The sprawling turrets, spacious courtyard, and winding stairs of this wooden castle are sure to delight your budding royalty. And the fact that the whole thing can be folded up and stored flat, will delight you as well. Complete with four playing figures (more can be bought separately), this medieval treat has most of the major bases covered. Princesses can walk their horse majestically across the drawbridge, while traitors bide their time in the dungeon below. $69.99. Ages 4+.