Young V&A

A museum built around childhood

Young V&A is the Bethnal Green branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum. It was previously called the Museum of Childhood, and its collection has been growing since 1872. The museum brings together objects connected with children and growing up, including toys, games, clothing and costumes.

The collection spans centuries, pairing historic pieces with more recent playthings. Among the objects noted in the displays are Victorian praxinoscopes, 1970s puppets, Barbie dolls and figures from The Incredibles. Dolls’ houses and construction toys sit within a wider collection that traces changing ideas about play and childhood. For adults, familiar toys can bring back memories; children may be more drawn to the chance to touch, make and explore.

Play, Imagine and Design

The museum is arranged around three galleries: Play, Imagine and Design. Each gives children a different way to engage with the collection and with creative ideas. Interactive displays and activities invite them to explore by doing, rather than only reading labels or looking at objects in cases.

Imagine includes opportunities for storytelling, performance and dressing up. Design gives children room to build, craft and work on creative projects. Play centres on activities that encourage exploration and movement. The galleries are zoned for different age groups, and the museum is designed for children from early years through to older children and teenagers. Some displays involve more reading, so families with younger children may want to focus on the interactive areas.

The museum also has a space for babies and toddlers called the Mini Museum. It is designed around sensory experiences, with things for little ones to see, hear and touch. Its low-level presentation helps very young children engage with the displays.

Exhibitions and family activities

Alongside its permanent displays, Young V&A hosts exhibitions and activities. Making Egypt is one example of an exhibition centred on creativity in ancient Egypt. It brought together objects from the V&A collection with contemporary comics, games and films, as well as a Lego response to the Great Pyramid of Giza. Puzzles and role-play activities gave children another way into the subject. Check the current programme before travelling, as exhibitions and events change.

Workshops, storytelling, screenings and performances are among the kinds of activities held at the museum. Some sessions are aimed at particular groups, including children under five and children with special educational needs. Check the event details for dates and any booking requirements. A café inside the museum gives families a place to pause during a visit.

The museum reopened in 2023 after an extensive refurbishment. Its updated layout and facilities were developed with children in mind, bringing interactive spaces together with the historic collection. Admission to the museum is free; special exhibitions may require tickets, and booking ahead is recommended when an exhibition requires it. The museum is on Cambridge Heath Road in Bethnal Green.