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

Collecting Stories

Museum Number
CD.8:1-2-2014
Title/Description
Uniform
Artist/Maker
Huoli
Location
China
Date
2013
Materials/Techniques
Cotton (textile)
Object information
Museum Number
06236 (IS)
Title/Description
Toy tiger
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
Channapatna
Date
ca. 1865
Materials/Techniques
Wood, Carved
Object information
Museum Number
06233(IS)
Title/Description
Pull along toy
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
Surat
Date
mid 19th century
Object information
Museum Number
FE.56-1981
Title/Description
Toy
Artist/Maker
Osaki, Tomomatsu
Location
Kanagawa
Date
About 1979
Materials/Techniques
Wood
Object information
Museum Number
MISC.108-1990
Title/Description
Abacus
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
England
Date
1930-1939
Materials/Techniques
Wood, Paint, Paper, Metal, Joinery, Hand painted
Object information
Museum Number
MISC.47-1986
Title/Description
Spelling and number blocks
Artist/Maker
unknown
Location
USA
Date
1930-1935
Materials/Techniques
Wood, Paint, Painted
Object information
Museum Number
B.39-2003
Title/Description
Royal Prince
Artist/Maker
Morris Vulcan Limited
Location
England
Date
1950s
Object information
Museum Number
B.141-2017
Title/Description
Desk
Artist/Maker
James Leonard
Location
Stevenage
Date
1947
Materials/Techniques
Plywood, Aluminium, Polystyrene, Rubber, Compression moulding, Casting, Painting
Object information
Museum Number
B.142-2017
Title/Description
Chair
Artist/Maker
James Leonard
Location
Stevenage
Date
1947
Materials/Techniques
Plywood, Aluminium, Compression moulding, Casting, Painting
Object information
Museum Number
B.216-2011
Title/Description
Football shirt
Artist/Maker
Bukta
Location
Stockport
Date
1989-1991
Materials/Techniques
Polyester, Machine stitching
Object information
Museum Number
B.37-2005
Title/Description
Rocking horse
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
England
Date
1920s
Materials/Techniques
Beech, Softwood, Fruitwood, Leather, Metal, Carving, Turning, Painting, Painting
Object information