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Watch: Life for children in the 2010s

Find out what life was like for children in the 2010s.

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Life at home

Families cycling.
  • More and more children used tablets and smart phones to play games, watch films and TV and for learning and homework!
  • This was the decade when music streaming services took over traditional methods of listening to music on CDs and the radio.
  • Virtual assistants arrived. Siri, Alexa and Google assistant meant you could ask a machine to play music, search the internet, order shopping or even tell a joke.
  • Outdoor play had not changed though. Scooters, bikes, sports and traditional playground games were still popular!
Families cycling.
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What was school like?

Girl using a mobile for homework
  • School learning changed, too. 鶹Լwork could now be done using the internet and school learning platforms.
  • In the classrooms screens, laptops and tablets were used.
  • British chef Jamie Oliver campaigned for schools to serve healthier meals.
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The London 2012 Olympics

Britain's Jessica Ennis-Hill wins gold in the Heptathlon at London 2012 Olympics.
Image caption,
Britain's Jessica Ennis-Hill wins gold in the Heptathlon at London 2012 Olympics.
  • In 2012 The Olympics took place in London. 204 countries took part. The USA won the most medals.
  • The opening ceremony was called Isles of Wonder. There were lots of fireworks and dancing. The ceremony was watched on television by around one billion people all over the world.
  • The London Olympics and Paralympics had two mascots. They were called Wenlock and Mandeville.
  • Britain's Jessica Ennis-Hill (pictured) won gold in the Heptathlon at London 2012 Olympics.
  • British athlete Mo Farah won double gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m races.
Britain's Jessica Ennis-Hill wins gold in the Heptathlon at London 2012 Olympics.
Image caption,
Britain's Jessica Ennis-Hill wins gold in the Heptathlon at London 2012 Olympics.
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What did Greta Thunberg do?

Greta Thunberg holds a poster reading "School strike for Climate" as she protests in front of the Swedish Parliament
Image caption,
Greta Thunberg holds a poster reading "School strike for Climate" as she protests in front of the Swedish Parliament.
  • In 2018 Greta Thunberg, a Swedish teenager protested outside the Swedish Parliament about the dangers of climate change.
  • In 2019 she sailed across the ocean to an international meeting called the UN Climate Action Summit in North America.
  • What things do you do at home to help slow down climate change?
  • Perhaps you recycle materials or hang out your washing in the sunshine?
  • Have you done anything at school about climate change?
  • Can you make a poster with all the things you do to help save the planet?
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Did you know?

Vuvuzela at 2010 FIFA World Cup
Image caption,
A fan blows a vuvuzela at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
  • In 2012, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her diamond jubilee. This means she had been queen for 60 years!
  • The only other queen to celebrate a diamond jubilee was Queen Victoria in the 19th century.
  • In 2010 the FIFA World Cup was held on the continent of Africa for the first time. The tournament was played in South Africa.
  • The wider world was introduced to the vuvuzela, an instrument that fans in the stadiums would blow during the games.
Vuvuzela at 2010 FIFA World Cup
Image caption,
A fan blows a vuvuzela at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
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Activities

Activity 1: Life in the 2010s quiz

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Activity 2: 2010s colouring sheet

  • Download and print this colouring sheet of Lucy, Nathan and Maya in the 2010s.
  • Can you colour it in and label it with some of the items that were familiar to children in the 2010s?

Download the 2010s colouring sheet here.

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Play Bitesize Primary games. game

Fun and educational primary games in science, maths, English, history, geography, art and design, computing and modern languages.

Play Bitesize Primary games
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