A while back Florence, Jimmy and I were invited to a DVD launch of the children’s television series, Horrible Histories. It was Florence’s first real introduction and while probably younger than the intended demographic, she had a real blast and loved singing along to all the slightly rude and very funny songs! We took along my twelve year old sister who is a big fan of the show and it proved that it’s suitable, funny and topical for a big range of little ones! What an incredibly good way of teaching!

When we were invited to come and have a sneak peak of the new Horrible Histories exhibition, ‘Spies’ at the Imperial War Museum, London, we jumped at the chance and yesterday, while the museum was closed to the public for refurbishment (re-opens July 29th) we got to experience the brand new hands on exhibit before anyone else!

Using Horrible Histories typical style of telling the story from our past in a fun and exciting way, the exhibit takes us on a journey through World War 2, introducing us to the very real spies who were in operation at the time. We got to find out, with a hands on and interactive approach, what some spies wore and why, how they may have disguised themselves, what they used to transfer messages and much, much more. We started in France and the Ruthless Resistance and worked our way around the war Cracking Codes, learning about Savage Sabotage, Clever Camouflage and Great Gadgets! Florence, again probably younger than the expected visitor, thought it was AMAZING! And Jimmy loved it too! There was lots to keep both of them interested!

In each area that we visited (it’s a move through exhibition) we learned about another real life spy who has been ‘Horrible Historied’ and cartooned! It’s not until the very end of the exhibit that you find out what they really looked like and also what became of them. We find out their code name and what their special talent was as well as learning about their dangerous and exciting war time life. One became a teacher, another lived to the grand old age of 98! These people and indeed lots of other key figures and ordinary soldiers have lived within my life time. For my children and generations going forward that’s changing and then history becomes something very different. As a child, if you can’t see it, then it’s very difficult to understand. Having something like this, which is so engaging, means that it’s interesting and children will want to find out more! I read snippets out to Florence along the way but there’s tons of information behind doors, above tasks and along side things to touch and have a go at for older ones. I learned lots myself if I’m honest!

I think the fact that this IS a hands on exhibition means that every one will want to go. It won’t feel like forced learning and even if it’s not a topic they are currently studying at at school, it will engage them so they will learn about it anyway and when the time comes for them to study such things, they will already be forearmed! We loved taking our own spy picture then designing ourselves a disguise, peddling power for the radio and especially blasting rats on the floor which were used to blow up German factories! Everything about the exhibition is an ‘Oooh’ and an ‘Ahhh’ moment! It’s factual with historian and curator for IWM, Amanda Mason having created it but it’s also just really good fun! It’s also rather nice that the exhibit marks Horrible Histories 20th birthday.

I’d love to go again when the rest of the museum is open and take Florence around other exhibitions to show her more about the second world war. She and Jimmy had a Great, Great Grandfather who fought and was taken prisoner in BOTH world wars and a Great Grandpa who also fought in the second world war as a decorated member of the RAF. These were both on my side and I knew them and loved them but the children will never know first hand these wonderful men or hear their stories straight from the horses mouth. On Jonny’s side their Great Grandfather, who was Swiss, joined the French Foreign Legion only to be captured by the Nazis. He was then was given an ultimatum by the German Army to either join them or remain in a prisoner of war camp. As a German Soldier he was then captured by the British and while working on a farm as a prisoner, met and fell in love with Jonny’s Grandma (who was married and had a child). That’s an incredibly interesting story and one to be told to the children but will they understand the importance of that history, that history which has affected their whole lives? They may do if they can have their imaginations captured by history being re-told in this sort of way.

‘Spies’ was brilliant and real and fun! It was perfect for children (and adults if I’m being thoroughly honest). To run alongside the exhibition there is a whole host of bookable events including author talks and drama workshops and at HMS Belfast, also part of IWM, there will be further ‘Secrets and Spies’ events. There will also be adult themed evening events at the museum throughout the run which finishes in November. We’ve been incredibly lucky and have been invited along to HMS Belfast today so that we can see more of what they will be doing for the season! I shall report back and let you know…

‘Horrible Histories: Spies‘ opens to the public at the Imperial Warm Museum on 29th July 2013.Tickets are priced at £6.20 for an Adult, £3.30 for Children, Concessions are £4.40 and Family Tickets are between £12.25 and £19 depending on family size. Tickets are on sale now and can be booked either by phone: 020 74165439 or online (where you can save 10%) at www.iwm.org.uk.

I have not been paid for this post.

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