Hands-On Exhibits in the Galleries

Children building a model of the Crystal Palace construction in the British Galleries.

Children building a model of the Crystal Palace in the British Galleries.

There are hundreds of exciting hands-on exhibits throughout the Victoria and Albert Museum – look for the hands-on symbol on the Museum map.

Many of our galleries have interactive elements ranging from touch objects to videos, replica costume to computers, including:

  • try on Victorian costume or build a replica of the Crystal Palace in the British Galleries (Victorian Discovery Area, Room 122b)
  • make a brass rubbing or do a giant slider puzzle made of replica medieval tiles (Discover the Medieval World, Room 10c)
  • put your hand inside an armour gauntlet and feel its weight (Renaissance Galleries, Room 62)
  • find out how pots are made through touch objects and construction activities (Ceramics Galleries, Room 143)
  • dress up in theatre costumes, including Grimaldi the clown, and make sound effects of rain and thunder (Theatre & Performance Galleries, Rooms 103-106)
'How ceramics are fired' interactive in the Ceramics Gallery.

'How ceramics are fired' interactive in the Ceramics Gallery, © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Armour gauntlet, Room 62, © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Armour gauntlet, Room 62, © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Dressing-up area in the Theatre & Performance Galleries

Dressing-up area in the Theatre & Performance Galleries, © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Become a V&A Member

V&A Members enjoy a wealth of benefits, including free entry to exhibitions, previews, exciting events and the V&A Members’ Room. In addition, you will be supporting the vital work of the V&A.

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Henry VIII - Treasures of the Royal Courts Exhibition Postcard

Henry VIII - Treasures of the Royal Courts Exhibition Postcard

Henry VIII - Treasures of the Royal Courts Exhibition Postcard After Hans Holbein the Younger (1497/8–1543) Oil on copper, London, about 15…

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Event - Introduction To Arduino

Sat 18 May 2013 10:30

2 DAY DIGITAL COURSE: This hands-on course is focused on experimenting with using physical computing (Arduino) to create interactive art, sculpture, and much more.

Book online