Visiting a museum can be a very dispersing experience for kids who have so much to take in all at once, that’s why museums’ visits for children should be channeled to specific sections for them to take the information having fun and focus their attention to an area that they will remember. The backpacks available in so many museums do just that, the fun activities inside focus on a specific area and all the fun stuff makes the visit memorable so kids will leave the museum enriched by such fun and educational experience and will want to come back for more.

The backpacks at the Victoria and Albert Museum are packed with fabulous hands-on activities, including jigsaws, stories, puzzles, construction games and things to handle. They are ranged in themes so kids can step in the shoes of an Indian Emperor with the Emperor Party backpack, or go on a magical journey through Chinese traditions and decorative arts with the Chinese Treasures backpack. Children who choose the Fancy Furnishings pack will experience what life was like for a rich lady and gentleman in Georgian time in Britain. Other backpacks include the Magic Glasses, which explores the colour, design and shape of decorative glass; The Antique Detective, which focuses on materials and construction of Victorian decorative arts and the Metal Detector, which looks into the design and construction of ironwork.  Activities are suitable for children between 5 and 12 and last approximately 45 minutes.

Backpacks are free and they don’t need to be booked in advance, but you will need to leave a form of id at the desk. They are not always available so it’s best to check the event list on the V&A website. 

In addition to the brilliant backpacks, the V&A has Family Trails suitable for families with children between 7 and 12. The Silver and Tudor trails are available at any time, just ask at the desk where you will be able to pick up a pencil. They will take you into the Silver galleries and the renowned British Galleries and are packed with puzzles, drawings and observation games.

Photo Credit V&A website