What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than being transported back to your childhood? Around every corner is a tiny surprise, a flashback to when you we’re young, where you find yourself saying out loud, “remember this!?” or “I had one of those!”.
Wandering around the Museum of Childhood you’re not quite sure just what you’re going to find. There’s He-man riding battlecat, Action Man next to Barbie, Kermit, an anorexic looking Mickey Mouse, scalextric, Gameboy’s, Game Gears, XZ Spectrums with games on cassette, dolls houses, My Little Tea Pot, Sylvanian Families (no I didn’t play with these!), weird metal robots and classic train sets you name it and you’ll probably find it at the V & A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green.
Although there are a lot of toys on display don’t expect a huge amount of interaction on visiting the museum, there are some interactive exhibits but it’s all about unexpectedly stumbling across a childhood toy you’d completely forgotten you’d ever played with.
The first thing you’ll notice walking into the museum is the beautiful building it’s housed within. Sunlight beams through the rooftop windows and the cafe takes up the space in the centre of the building with floors filled with nostalgia and childhood memories lining the outside. Unfortunately (or thankfully!) the cafe doesn’t serve Findus Crispy Pancakes, Birds Eye Fish Fingers, potato waffles, McCain Oven Chips or anything resembling school dinners.
Unfortunately (or thankfully!) the cafe doesn’t serve Findus Crispy Pancake, Birds Eye Fish Fingers, potato waffles, McCain Oven Chips or anything resembling school dinners.
The museum has a huge range of toys dating back to the 1600’s, you’ll find the vintage, retro, simple and basic as well as some that are just a little bizarre. Even though I was drawn towards the 80’s toys and retro computer games it was fun to interact with some of the more basic vintage toys on display.
Retro Games
The museum has plenty of retro computer games including a classic ZX Spectrum, Gameboy, Sega Game Gear and Mega Drive. Star Wars fans will be happy to see a decent collection of figures and models including R2 D2, Jabba the Hut and four legged AT-AT.
Interactive Vintage Toys
You’ll also find a fair few vintage toys that you can try out, although it was difficult to understand where the fun came from when playing them. There are also some bizarre and strange looking toys and dolls that are fascinating creepy! Including a scary cat in a red hat and a strange looking version of Mickey Mouse.
The Museum of Childhood is great way two spend a couple of hours with or without children. It would be nice to see a few more interactive elements, the museum is free and the cafe provides the restbite needed for busy parents.
Opening Hours: Open daily 10.00-17.45 (last admission 17.30)
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December and 1 January
Website: V & A Museum of Childhood
Nearest Tube: Bethnal Green
