Films For Fives and Under

Warning! If you step into the Merry Music Shop then this singalong cartoon is an animated earworm in waiting!

A boy being supervised by his grandmother sees a chance for mischief

Advances in x-ray tubes offer the (skeleton) key to scientific breakthroughs – as well as being great fun to watch

In this captivating film shot in Skidby, a little girl reads her favourite dolls a bedtime story that miraculously comes to life.

The fabulous Deonzo Brothers in a spectacular barrel-jumping stage act

Soapy fun for the Passmore children in this fascinating, very early home movie

A not-so-little variety star shows off his appetite

It’s all done with mirrors! Glynn Williams explores the properties of reflection in this amusing animation featuring a toy train set.

Six legged competitors take to the starting blocks as a Midlands pub brings the sport of beetle racing to the world.

The birdlife of Northumberland's Farne Islands comes under the spotlight in this pioneering documentary from the Secrets of Life nature series.

A ballerina enjoys a fantastical dance

Poetic justice for a disobedient Crab in Sheila Graber’s delightful animation of Kipling’s fanciful origin story for children.

Children from inner city Brixton in London having fun at Wembury Beach.

An astonishing display of synchronised gymnastics

This charming holiday film set on Ramsgate's Viking Bay shows a pair of children cantering on a pair of donkeys along the sandy beach

Helpful and humongous Great Dane Juno helps out with housework, does some shopping and chomps cream cake in this cheerful kids' film

Budding film director Anthony Armstrong, aged 10, presents a delightful film about things on a smaller scale like locomotives, trams and the tiny town of Bekonscot.

An engaging, hand painted animation of Rudyard Kipling’s origin tale about a work shy camel who gets the hump.

Mischievous sisters Tilly and Sally borrow a fire engine and take it for a joy ride in this spirited film comedy.

Enjoy a delightful year on a Kentish farm complete with Tractor Girls, Hereford cattle, ferrets, rabbit shooting and the Eastbourne Show

Kids don't always listen to their parents. But in the 70s they certainly listened to a giant ginger tabby cat...

Kathakali performance featuring the great Indian dancer Guru Gopinath, filmed in remarkable colour by ‘envoy of the Raj’ Clarmont Skrine

Budding dancers take to the beach at Harlech, north Wales, to show off their aquatic-themed moves

This early Cadbury advert plays like a surreal outtake from 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'.

Travel into the belly of whale lore with Rudyard Kipling’s whimsical tale for little children.

A terrifying first-person brush with death at the hands of a dangerous driver

Four-year-old girl and boy dance a mean cakewalk

A memorable early film 'trick'

Worst. Parents. Ever. But a lovely animated tale using cut-out animation designed by Sunniva Kellquist

Road safety guidance for kids from Tufty the squirrel and friends

Look out, germs at work! These loveable molar mischief making puppets really dig tooth decay.

Seen but not heard? Three children get up to mischief after mother puts them to bed in this Victorian entertainment.

A battle of soot versus flour

Musical comedian Percy Honri is a ukulele-playing man-in-the-moon in this early skit

This innovative 'trick' film is a fantastical children's pantomime in miniature

As the general election is held in the UK, it's polling day for the Clangers on a small blue planet far away.

Are you sitting comfortably? Then let this classic bedtime story begin, with added animation to bring the illustrations to life

Early film technology has had a strange effect on the recording of this traditional May Day ritual

A classic early film gag - and a big leap forward for a fast-evolving new art

Ghanaian led Afro-Caribbean band spread infectious rhythms of world music at Plymouth’s Frankfort Gate.

A country yokel gets a shock in an early example of a 'film within a film'.

Treat your kiddies to the latest mechanical wonders, promoted in this festive newsreel item

This delightful home movie from Sam Bell might inspire you to visit the zoo or set up your own garden obstacle course.

A classic of early sci-fi providing an awe-inspiring and delightful account of man’s first mission to the Moon.

The man in the moon learns about hygiene in this 1929 public information short promoting the benefits of all-electric mod cons.

The lure of a toy shop proves almost too much for Tufty the squirrel

Lancashire children perform physical education exercises in (almost) perfect unison.

A leisurely drive turns into an out-of-this-world adventure for a newlywed couple and their robot chauffeur.

You'll never guess quite what this chap can hide under his cone...

Killjoy, or conscience of a generation? Charley cat scuppers a playdate, but earns a fishy picnic through doing the right thing

Death-defying antics on behalf of the sweet-toothed, in a home movie shot by hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett

Ten boys discover that a good wash is step one on the road to health in this silent cartoon

Explore London Zoo in the 60s and see the now closed Mappin Terraces, once home to Polar bears, and a Chimpanzees' tea party.

Delight in the mischievous imagination of Archie Reid with this trilogy of battles performed by and for his pupils in Larne.

A charming tale of two schoolchildren who collect frog spawn, and returning to school, watch the spawn develop into a frog. Educational film.

Entertaining example of early 'special effects'

An eccentric parade of mechanical toys to tantalise 1920s kids - and to remind us that Christmas consumerism is nothing new.