The new and improved Young V&A Museum London in Bethnal Green will be re-opening on 1 July 2023. Read the latest updates about how the former Museum of Childhood has been transformed into a new world-leading museum of design and creativity for children on the Young V&A website.
This post is currently being updated with information and photos of the new Young V&A Museum London.
The Young V&A Museum London, which is part of the Victoria & Albert Museum, houses a collection of childhood-related objects. Toys, dolls’ houses, costumes, puzzles, games and nursery furniture are displayed across two floors, offering a fascinating look into how childhood items have changed and evolved through the centuries.
The Young V&A Museum London has a collection of 100 dolls’ houses, some of which date back to the 1600s! You’ll also find a collection of toys and puppets from around the world, and displays showing the nursery equipment, toys and clothing from the Victorian era to modern times.
The displays in the Creativity Gallery on the mezzanine floor are categorised into Make it Happen, Explore, Be Inspired and Imagine.
The highlights for the kids were the several hands-on exhibits dotted around the galleries. The interactive areas in the Creativity Gallery are great for babies and toddlers – Make Believe and the Sensory Pod. The Sensory Pod is a multi-sensory playroom featuring colour-changing light columns and a tactile wall.
Moving Toys Gallery
The displays in the Moving Toys Gallery, on the other side of the mezzanine floor, have toys and games categorised into Look See, Circuits and Motors, Springs and Cogs and Pushes and Pulls.
The Moving Toys Gallery consisted of interactive displays geared towards preschoolers and older children.
Young V&A Museum London
The Young V&A, previously the V&A Museum of Childhood, in Bethnal Green will be re-opening on 1 July 2023. Read the latest updates about how the former Museum of Childhood London has been transformed into a new world-leading museum of design and creativity for children on the Young V&A website.
Address: Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 9PA
Closest Tube Stations: Bethnal Green [Central line] (Note: there are two sets of stairs exiting this station. To find the closest station with step-free access, download the latest “Avoiding Stairs Tube guide” from the TfL Accessibility guide.)
Tickets: Free admission
Family-Friendly Facilities: Family bathrooms on the lower ground floor, cafe area serving kids’ lunch boxes, step-free access to galleries with a ramp heading to the mezzanine and a lift for all floors, excellent gift shop selling books, toys and home items.
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