As the name suggestions, the Imperial War Museum is all about war. Within the walls of what used to be the Bedlam Hospital in the 18th century, the stories of people's experience from the First World War right up to modern day conflicts are on display.
If the last time you went to the museum was before its 2014 refurbishment, you haven't yet had the best from the free museum, it's new clever curation and interactive displays ensuring that everything on offer is easily digestible for little visitors. We thoroughly recommend going again.
Kids at the Imperial War Museum
The wonderful thing about IWM is the way it takes sensitive material and troubling historical moments and re-packages them so that even the youngest visitors are engaged and made aware.
Visitors are greeted by the sight of a Spitfire suspended above their heads when they first enter, and a new work by Jeremy Deller, a burnt-out armature of a car used in a bomb attack in Baghdad in 2007.
Throughout, Hi-tech technology, interactive panels with touch screens situated at a child's eye level and engaging films such as Flight of the Stories (a wonderful collaboration between IWM and Aardman Studio's creators of Wallace & Gromit) help capture children's excitement and teach them about the history of warfare.
Children at London's Imperial War Museum
The museum has a range of permanent, interactive exhibits that are perfect for restless kids, those with an interest in aviation, playing soldiers or nurses or who nurture a penchant for history. We especially recommend A Family in Wartime, Secret War exhibition exploring the clandestine world of espionage and covert operations, and the interactive trench experience in the new First World War galleries, recruiting the sights and smells of the Western Front.
For children over the age of 14, The Holocaust Exhibition is hugely thought provoking.
Family Activities in London's Imperial War Museum
If all this isn't enough for you, there's a regular programme of weekend talks and activities for children and teens. Click here to see our round-up of the best of what's on at the Imperial War Museum - keep an eye out for holidays and half term.
Younger visitors can be guided through the museum by the IWM's excellent new guidebook Explore! A Kid's Guide to IWM London (£4 from IWM London shop) which features stories and objects from the galleries, as well as activities to play at home after your visit.
If the last time you went to the museum was before its 2014 refurbishment, you haven't yet had the best from the free museum, it's new clever curation and interactive displays ensuring that everything on offer is easily digestible for little visitors. We thoroughly recommend going again.
Kids at the Imperial War Museum
The wonderful thing about IWM is the way it takes sensitive material and troubling historical moments and re-packages them so that even the youngest visitors are engaged and made aware.
Visitors are greeted by the sight of a Spitfire suspended above their heads when they first enter, and a new work by Jeremy Deller, a burnt-out armature of a car used in a bomb attack in Baghdad in 2007.
Throughout, Hi-tech technology, interactive panels with touch screens situated at a child's eye level and engaging films such as Flight of the Stories (a wonderful collaboration between IWM and Aardman Studio's creators of Wallace & Gromit) help capture children's excitement and teach them about the history of warfare.
Children at London's Imperial War Museum
The museum has a range of permanent, interactive exhibits that are perfect for restless kids, those with an interest in aviation, playing soldiers or nurses or who nurture a penchant for history. We especially recommend A Family in Wartime, Secret War exhibition exploring the clandestine world of espionage and covert operations, and the interactive trench experience in the new First World War galleries, recruiting the sights and smells of the Western Front.
For children over the age of 14, The Holocaust Exhibition is hugely thought provoking.
Family Activities in London's Imperial War Museum
If all this isn't enough for you, there's a regular programme of weekend talks and activities for children and teens. Click here to see our round-up of the best of what's on at the Imperial War Museum - keep an eye out for holidays and half term.
Younger visitors can be guided through the museum by the IWM's excellent new guidebook Explore! A Kid's Guide to IWM London (£4 from IWM London shop) which features stories and objects from the galleries, as well as activities to play at home after your visit.
| What | Imperial War Museum |
| Where | Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London , SE1 6HZ | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Lambeth North (underground) |
| When |
23 Sep 15 – 23 Sep 16, Open every day 10am – 6pm, including Bank Holidays |
| Price | £Free (tickets for temporary exhibitions) |
| Website | Click here for more details |
