Backpacks

Family using Magic Glasses Back-Pack

Borrow a V&A Backpack and embark on an adventure across the Museum. Our award-winning Backpacks are full of brilliant hands-on activities, including jigsaws, stories, puzzles, construction games and things to handle. Activities last approximately 45 minutes and are suitable for children aged 5-12. For younger children, there are activity sheets which complement each Backpack so that you can all have fun together.

Borrowing a Backpack

Backpacks are free to borrow and do not need to be booked. They are available every day from the Sackler Centre and can also be collected from the Main Entrance during school holidays. The last Backpack of the day is issued at 16.00.

A form of ID such as a driving licence or debit card is required to borrow a Backpack.

Choosing your Backpack

Choose from:

• The Emperor's Party
  imagine you are an Indian Emperor preparing for a spectacular party
• Chinese Treasures
  find out more about Chinese traditions and Chinese decorative art
• Metal Detector
  explore the design and construction of decorative ironwork
• The Antique Detective
  investigate the materials and construction of Victorian decorative arts
• Magic Glasses
  explore the colour, design and shape of decorative glass
• Fancy Furnishings
  learn what life was like for a rich lady and gentleman in Georgian Britain
• Time Traveller
  find out about everyday life in Medieval Europe including what people wore, how they wrote and what they ate and drank
• Middle East Marvels
  explore amazing geometric patterns and discover special treasures from palaces and mosques
• Agent Animal
  pick up our new Agent Animal bag for under 5s and search for creatures in the Museum using fabric cubes and animal noises!
  

Pick up our new Agent Animal bag for under 5s and search for creatures in the Museum using fabric cubes and animal noises!

Contents of the V&A Middle Eastern Marvels Back-Pack

'The activities in the Backpacks were very, very good because there were surprises when you looked inside them.' Romilly (6), Paul (father)