Collecting childhood

Children are not like adults. Their needs change quickly during their physical and mental development, requiring a distinct set of design solutions. The V&A has always collected objects relating to children and it dedicated its Bethnal Green site to this specialist area in 1974.

Today, curators at Young V&A collect examples of design for children across play, learning and the practicalities of life as a child. The museum is also developing its approach to collecting examples of children’s creative outputs and self-expression.

Written by: Will Newton, Curator of Young V&A
Published: May 2025

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