# Kid-Friendly Retro Ads The Museum of Childhood Campaign Reads 'Playing is Learning' By Meghan Young | Published 2012-11-06 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-of-childhood References: [ibelieveinadv](http://www.ibelieveinadv.com/2012/11/museum-of-childhood-brain-bear-butterfly-molecule/) & [bbdo](http://www.bbdo.com/) The V&A Museum of Childhood ad campaign is appropriately retro-inspired. Since this is a place that houses childhood-related objects and artefacts as far back as the 1600s, the images in the posters relay this fact playfully. What is truly fun about the direction of this campaign, however, is its focus on toys. Although that is the main draw of the museum, it could have easily gone done the route of learning. Instead, it reads, "Playing is learning." Conceived and executed by [BBDO](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/couch-counseling), an ad agency based in London, United Kingdom, the V&A Museum of Childhood ad campaign was art directed by Mark Fairbanks. Comprised of four posters, it will entice both kids and adults through its colorful and cartoonish imagery. The museum is located in the Bethnal Green district of London. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.5/10 - Popularity: 85% | Activity: 73% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Print](https://www.trendhunter.com/print) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Retro-inspired Ads:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Leveraging nostalgia to create engaging and playful advertising campaigns. - **Toy-focused Marketing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring the power of toys in promoting learning experiences and engaging both children and adults. - **Playful Learning:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Reinventing educational environments by emphasizing the importance of play in facilitating learning. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Advertising and Marketing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporating retro and nostalgic elements in advertising strategies to captivate target audiences. - **Museums and Galleries:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing interactive and engaging exhibits that encourage play and foster learning. - **Educational Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating digital tools and platforms that combine playfulness and learning to enhance educational experiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Innovative Outdoor Advertising Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/outdoor-advertising-campaign.md) - [Children-Focused Awareness Commercials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego2.md) - [Visual Museum Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-campaign.md) - [Vibrant Retro Transport Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/public-transport-safety.md) - [Playtime-Encouraging Toy Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/art-of-play.md) - [Ball Game-Promoting Urban Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/more-ball-games.md) - [Imaginative Children's Holiday Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/childrens-holiday-campaign.md) - [Cheeky Childhood Yogurt Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/petit-filous-mischief-makes-us.md) - [Playful Billboard Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dreamies-treats.md)