KS1 Design and Technology Resources & Lesson Plans
Explore creative KS1 Design and Technology resources, lesson plans and schemes of work for Years 1 and 2. Designed to support the KS1 DT curriculum, our ready-to-teach lessons help children develop skills in designing, making and evaluating through practical projects involving structures, mechanisms, textiles and cooking and nutrition. Find engaging KS1 DT activities, ideas and resources that make planning and teaching Design and Technology simple.
Year 1 DT
Explore creative Year 1 Design and Technology resources, lesson plans and projects for developing early skills in designing, making and evaluating.
Year 2 DT
Discover ready-to-teach Year 2 DT lessons that help children develop practical skills through structures, mechanisms, textiles and cooking projects.
Design & Technology Curriculum Pack
Plan Design and Technology across your school with carefully sequenced schemes of work for Years 1 to 6 covering the primary DT curriculum.
Explore KS1 Design and Technology
Mechanisms
Help children explore how simple mechanisms work through practical KS1 DT projects involving movement and everyday mechanical systems.
- Wheels and axles
- Sliders and levers
- Moving parts
- Simple mechanical systems
- Designing and evaluating
Structures
Develop children's understanding of structures by designing, making and testing purposeful products using a range of materials and joining techniques.
- Freestanding structures
- Strength and stability
- Joining materials
- Building and construction
- Testing and improving designs
Textiles
Introduce children to simple textile techniques as they design and make useful products using fabric, templates and basic joining methods.
- Exploring fabrics
- Templates and patterns
- Joining textiles
- Simple sewing techniques
- Designing purposeful products
Cooking & Nutrition
Build children's confidence with food preparation while exploring healthy eating, ingredients and where food comes from through practical cookery activities.
- Preparing ingredients
- Healthy eating
- Fruit and vegetables
- Where food comes from
- Designing and making food products
Popular KS1 DT Schemes of Work:
Why teachers choose PlanBee KS1 Design and Technology resources
Ready-to-teach KS1 Design and Technology lesson plans and schemes of work designed to support the KS1 DT curriculum, save planning time and help children develop practical skills, creativity and technical understanding through purposeful projects.
Develop practical DT skills
Help children build confidence with designing, making and evaluating as they work with materials, tools and simple construction techniques across a range of KS1 DT projects.
Aligned with the KS1 DT curriculum
Explore KS1 Design and Technology schemes of work that support National Curriculum requirements, including structures, mechanisms, textiles, cooking and nutrition, and purposeful product design.
Complete KS1 DT lesson plans
Save planning time with complete lessons including teaching slides, detailed lesson plans, practical activities, printable resources and guidance for evaluating children's designs and finished products.
Design, make and evaluate
Give children meaningful opportunities to explore existing products, generate ideas, create their own designs and evaluate how well their finished products meet a simple design brief.
Explore our KS1 Design & Technology Resources
Browse our complete collection of KS1 Design and Technology resources, lesson plans and schemes of work for Years 1 and 2. Explore practical DT projects covering mechanisms, structures, textiles, cooking and nutrition, designing, making and evaluating, all created to develop children’s practical skills and technical knowledge while supporting the KS1 DT curriculum.
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Frequently Asked Questions about KS1 Design and Technology
What is taught in Design and Technology at KS1?
In KS1 Design and Technology, children learn to design, make and evaluate purposeful products. They explore existing products, generate and communicate their own ideas, select appropriate tools and materials, and evaluate what they have made. Children also develop technical knowledge through structures and mechanisms, as well as learning about food and nutrition.
What are the main areas of KS1 Design and Technology?
KS1 DT typically includes designing, making and evaluating, alongside technical knowledge and cooking and nutrition. Practical projects can involve structures, mechanisms, textiles and food, giving children opportunities to develop different skills while creating products for a particular purpose or user.
What DT projects are suitable for KS1?
Good KS1 DT projects give children a clear purpose for what they are making while introducing manageable practical skills. Projects might include making moving pictures using sliders and levers, wheeled vehicles, freestanding structures, simple textile products or healthy food. PlanBee's KS1 DT schemes take children through the design, make and evaluate process as part of a complete project.
What mechanisms should children learn about in KS1?
At KS1, children can explore simple mechanisms such as sliders, levers, wheels and axles. Practical activities help them investigate how these mechanisms create movement before applying their understanding when designing and making their own products.
What should children learn about structures in KS1 DT?
Children should explore how structures can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable. They can investigate existing structures, experiment with different materials and joining methods, and use what they discover to design and construct their own freestanding structures.
What is taught in cooking and nutrition at KS1?
KS1 cooking and nutrition introduces children to the principles of a healthy and varied diet. Children can learn where food comes from and develop basic food preparation skills while designing and making simple dishes and food products.
What is the difference between Year 1 and Year 2 DT?
There are no separate statutory National Curriculum programmes of study for Year 1 and Year 2 DT. Schools can organise the KS1 Design and Technology curriculum across the two year groups in different ways. Children should build their skills and knowledge progressively, tackling increasingly challenging design problems and becoming more independent when selecting materials, tools and techniques.
What is included in PlanBee KS1 DT lesson plans?
PlanBee KS1 Design and Technology schemes of work provide the resources needed to teach a complete DT project, including detailed lesson plans, teaching slides, differentiated activities and printable resources. Schemes are designed to help children develop relevant knowledge and practical skills while working through the process of designing, making and evaluating.
How can I plan Design and Technology for KS1?
Start by mapping the different areas of the KS1 DT curriculum across Years 1 and 2 so that children encounter a varied range of materials, mechanisms, structures, textiles and food activities. Plan projects that allow children to investigate existing products, develop ideas, practise relevant skills, make a purposeful product and evaluate the finished result. This helps ensure DT is taught as a coherent design process rather than a series of isolated craft activities.
