If you are looking for something to do with the kids this half term then I have a great idea for older kids, The World of Tim Burton at the Design Museum in London. We are a family who love to watch films together and have been fans of Tim Burton for a long time. The teens love Beetlejuice and Wednesday, so we knew they would love to find out more about Tim Burton.
The World of Tim Burton London with teenagers
Drawn from Tim Burton’s personal archive and representing his creative output from childhood to the present day, this exhibition of 500 drawings, paintings, photographs, sketchbooks, moving-image works, and sculptural installations focuses on the recurrent visual themes and motifs that resonate in the distinctive characters and worlds found in Burton’s art and films. The exhibition has been touring the world since 2014 and this is the first time it has come to the UK.
The Design Museum is a great venue for the exhibition and easy to get to, just off High Street Kensington. We booked our tickets in advance (recommended as this is a popular exhibition!) and hopped on the tube.
I’m sure everyone has seen at least one Tim Burton film. Choose from Beetlejuice (1988), Batman (1989), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Ed Wood (1994), Big Fish (2003), Corpse Bride (2005), and Sweeney Todd (2007), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016) and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) amongst others.
The exhibition follows Burton’s beginnings as an artist and his early animations, moving on to his films. We loved the recreation of his work space and seeing his art books – you get the feeling he has never thrown anything away. His style is really apparent in his early work but we loved seeing it evolve over the years.
The teens both take extra curricular art classes so enjoyed seeing Tim Burton’s sketches. There was even a framed display of drawings on napkins! There was so much to see and watch. We all had our favourites – mine was possibly a selection of faces used in the stop motion for The Nightmare Before Christmas.
There were sculptures and models too.
And lots of costume and film props.
Crazy Carousel showcasing creatures and elements designed by Burton.
There was plenty to keep the teens occupied and they now have a list of films they want to watch again having seen the Tim Burton exhibition. The World of Tim Burton London runs from 25th October 2024 – 21st April 2025. Book online before you visit!
