Last year, the Young V&A won the prestigious Art Fund Museum of the Year, the world's biggest museum prize. It was a well-deserved win; post- redesign and refurb, Bethnal Green's Victorian Museum of Childhood has turned into a welcoming, light-filled space for children to enjoy and learn.
Their second exhibition (following the excellent Manga show) tackles the Ancient Egyptians. The challenge must, in some ways, have been over-familiarity. Everyone knows about King Tut, what a mummy looks like, has been to the British Museum on a school trip. BORING. It might have been tempting to deal with this by throwing in lots of bells and whistles. But the curatorial team have resolutely rejected this approach. In fact, when you first come in (to what is a pretty un-exciting exhibition space - basically just a long rectangle that could easily be a sports hall), you may feel slightly disappointed. Be warned, but don't worry!
You are going on a storytelling journey, starting on the banks of the Nile, through a busy market place and into an artisan workshop. Along the way, you will learn about the Gods, the creatures, the language of the Ancients and how they influence culture today.
There is plenty to engage kids of all ages -– colourful cartoon Egyptians guide the way, look, there's a Yu-Gi-Oh! deck, a Lego temple; take the test to see which God you are, find Osiris' missing limbs – but bear in mind that the recommended age range is 6–11. When we got into the third section, we were expecting a space for pre-schoolers to let off steam and go pyramid-jumping but it is NOT that sort of show. There are plenty of other places in the museum that are perhaps better suited to pre-schoolers.
To get the most out of this one, you want a child who is old enough to be able to read the signage. For this age bracket, take it slow and it will become something very special and memorable. It is cleverly laid out, combining precious original artefacts with accessible, familiar images so that young visitors will respond to the ancient treasures on display in a different way to how they would, say, in the British Museum. A number of the highlights are on loan from regional museums and private collections. And they sing with modernity. This young girl with her duck and goat, from the collection at Eton College, is a mere 4200 years old!!
There is a fascinating section on colour and jewellery-making and young artists will be encouraged to sit and get creative as they design their own amulet at the activity station on hand. That is not to say that it is just for the quiet and contemplative. Minecraft fans, engineers, hieroglyph decipherers will love it too!
Excellent programme of workshops and activities (some bookable with a charge, some free) run throughout half terms and holidays.
Making Egypt Young V&A to 2 November. Tickets: £9 (for unlimited entry), U4s free.
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