The Little War Exhibit
at National WWI Museum and Memorial
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
The latest exhibition at the National WWI Museum and Memorial, The Little War, is on display thru February 2025 in Exhibit Hall.
Our family recently toured this new exhibit with Dr. Christopher Warren, Vice President of Curatorial Affairs and Chief Curator at the museum. This exhibit is truly special for families as it focuses on the family audience in its storytelling. What does war look like to a child? The Little War tells the story of the war through the lives of the children who lived it, and it does it through displays we can all relate to. From toys and books to holiday celebrations and the reality of children joining the war effort through organizations like the Red Cross and efforts like planting Victory Gardens, the exhibit encompasses the many facets of war and its impact on the lives of the young.
“This is the first time we have experimented with an exhibition specifically for children, and also about children,” said Christopher Warren, Vice President of Curatorial Affairs and Chief Curator. “Our hope is that children and adults will visit The Little War and explore a complex topic together in an environment specifically curated for young minds.”
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
To truly relate to its audience, the signage offers both "big" and "little" reads so you may choose to follow the story through age appropriate or interest level dialogue with the big read targeted at an 8th grade reading level, and the little read focused at a 3rd grade level.
Looking at WWI through the eyes of children, who grew up to fight in WW2, is truly fascinating. Molded by the first truly global conflict, the children of WWI grew into the generation that would both inflict and endure profound hardship, economic depression and world war in their turn: the Greatest Generation.
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
A common theme throughout the exhibit is the focus on patriotism and mobilizing entire families, including children, to support the war effort. From books, to music, to toy uniforms, and the beginning of youth organizations kids were mobilized to support the cause. Children would play dress up pretending to be soldiers and nurses.
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
Citizens would knit socks, participate in liberty loan drives, collect money for French orphans, make bandages, join the Jr. Red Cross, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and find ways to save resources through gardening, sewing, and serving.
The exhibit gives a global look at the experience children faced with objects from Europe and America. For many Europeans, the war was happening on their land, in their communities, and the response was more direct.
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
Art from the war showcases both propaganda targeted at families and children with a focus on patriotism, as well as toys, paper dolls, books, and music that encourage, uplift, and mourn - as the reality of war is apt to do.
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
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The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
Another facet of the war is the way it brought the world together. One of the first displays to catch our eye showcased a Santa costume worn by a U.S. soldier who visited German orphanages over Christmas at wartime. It is theorized that the ragtag outfit may have been handsewn by the solider himself as the craftsmanship is a bit crude, but the heart behind it is lovely.
photos by Kristina Light for KCParent.com
The Little War exhibit at National WWI Museum and Memorial
We enjoyed the small hands-on “living room” buildout that will feature WWI-era children’s books and contemporary literature, as well as games and puzzles for play where we could experience, for a moment, life for a family at that time.
Admission to The Little War is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and military and $6 for youth – or just $4 when combined with a general admission ticket. The Little War is appropriate for all ages to discover a lesser-known part of WWI as they journey through childhood in wartime. A variety of engaging programs will support the exhibition. Stay tuned to theworldwar.org for more information.
During your visit, be sure to explore the rest of the museum and grounds! Read our Tips for Visiting the National WWI Museum and Memorial with Kids here.
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National WWI Museum and Memorial
2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, Missouri
Regular Hours Tuesday - Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Summer Hours Daily, Memorial Day - Labor Day 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Sunday - Friday) 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Saturday) Over There Café Days the Museum is Open Until 3 p.m.