IWM London's 'Childhood in War' Exhibition Explores Conflict Through Young Eyes
From July 31, 2026, to February 28, 2027, IWM London will unveil 'Childhood in War', the first UK exhibition dedicated to how war affects children. This free exhibition spans from World War I to today's conflicts, featuring a rich collection of artifacts, photos, letters, drawings, and current stories. It highlights the everyday lives of children rather than just battle scenes, touching on themes like play, education, and safety. Key exhibits include a WWII evacuee train carriage, a Cold War living room, and a teddy bear from Holocaust survivor John Hajdu. The show also tackles topics like indoctrination and presents modern insights from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Sudan, along with children’s drawings used in war crime evidence. Plus, there will be events like a family story festival to enhance the experience.
Key facts
- First UK exhibition dedicated to childhood in war
- Runs 31 July 2026 – 28 February 2027 at IWM London
- Free admission
- Features over 450 million children living in conflict zones globally
- Includes objects from First World War to present day
- Showcases teddy bear of Holocaust survivor John Hajdu
- Exhibits drawings used as war crimes evidence at ICC
- Collaborates with UNICEF, Right to Learn Afghanistan, War Child
Entities
Artists
- John Hajdu
- Jochewet Heidenstein
- Alina
- Artem
- Alfie Knight
- Jacqueline Wilson
- Deborah Ellis
- Dame Jacqueline Wilson
- Craig Murray
- Anne-Claire Dufay
Institutions
- IWM London
- UNICEF
- Right to Learn Afghanistan
- War Child
- Waging Peace
- International Criminal Court
- Hitler Youth
- Komsomol
- Imperial War Museums
- KOMSOMOL
- Oxford Children's Word of the Year
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Afghanistan
- Ukraine
- Sudan
- Kosovo
- Northern Ireland
- former Yugoslavia
- Kabul
- Kharkiv
- Dublin