Shrapnel Boys: Life on the Home Front Museum Trail

Join in a fun family trail at Chiltern Open Air Museum this May half term!

This May half term, embark on a fun spotter trail at Chiltern Open Air Museum as part of the Shrapnel Boys: Life on the Home Front Museum Trail, organised by Kids in Museums and Usborne. This national family trail is inspired by Shrapnel Boys, a forthcoming novel by award-winning children’s author Jenny Pearson, publishing to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Shrapnel Boys is a novel about the friendship and courage of a group of young boys living through the Second World War. When war comes to London in 1939, Ronnie Smith is scared and excited: scared of the bombs that fall at night, but excited to race his friends to collect the best bits of shrapnel every morning.

But for Ronnie, the battles aren’t just in the sky and on the streets. They’re at school and at home too. His little brother is up to no good with a secret job and dangerous new friends, and Ronnie’s worried he’s getting himself into big trouble.

Ronnie’s desperate to help his little brother. But he isn’t expecting to uncover secrets that could change the fate of the whole war…

Pick up a free activity sheet to join in at Chiltern Open Air Museum. Explore life on the home front for children in World War II and search for hidden objects around the museum. Complete the spotter trail and receive a free sticker!

Over 65 museums across the UK will be taking part during May half term, encouraging families to enjoy a visit to their local museum. The activity will run from Saturday 24th May.

We’re also giving families the chance to take part in a national competition to win a signed bundle of Jenny Pearson books, including Shrapnel Boys, and a Double National Art Pass (Plus Kids), kindly donated by Art Fund. Design your own VE Day bunting and share your drawing on BlueSky or Instagram with the hashtag #LifeOnTheHomeFrontMuseumTrail, tagging Kids in Museums and Usborne for a chance to win.