War & Weapons
War & Weapons

How wartime bombsites became adventure playgrounds

Reclaiming the wreckage for play and imagination

London Places
London Places

Hamleys: Regent Street’s toy wonderland

The world-famous emporium of fun and games

Trades & Workers
Trades & Workers

The City of London’s last lollipop lady

And the history of London’s traffic stoppers

Class & Economics
Class & Economics

What were penny toys?

These colourful toys were sold on the streets by some of London’s poorest citizens

Lifestyle & Leisure
Lifestyle & Leisure

Strange & delightful dolls in our collection

Featuring headless puppets, the ever-stylish Sindy and a 300-year-old doll with human hair

Games & Sports
Games & Sports

How street play shaped the lives of London’s children

These city kids created their own outdoor playgrounds with scooters, skipping ropes and songs