Families with children

Children at the 22 July Centre

Since its opening in 2015, families with children have found their way to the 22 July Centre. Some parents visit the centre to tell their children about what happened on 22 July, while others come without considering the needs of the children or that the exhibition may not be suitable for the very young.

In 2017, the 22 July Centre began developing tailored offerings for families with children. Through various initiatives, we aim to facilitate the communication of 22 July in a way that is suitable for children and their cognitive abilities.

The resource below is designed for children between 8 and 13 years old, but can also be used by younger age groups. You can find it available on a large screen in the second floor of the exhibition at Teatergata 10, with both images, text, and audio narration of the resource's content.

What should I know before bringing children to the centre?

The 22 July Centre’s exhibition has no age limit, and families with children are welcome. However, we want to make visitors with children aware that the exhibition itself is not designed for children under 14 years old. Parts of the exhibition may be intense for the youngest visitors. It includes, among other things, images and witness testimonies that can be sad and frightening.

Children can still benefit from the exhibition, especially if you as a parent familiarize yourself in advance with what you will encounter there.

All visitors to the centre are greeted by an exhibition host, and families with children will receive an introduction tailored to the age group. We also have a family corner on the second floor of the centre, with a dedicated bookshelf and activity station.

It is important that children and parents stay together throughout the entire visit, including when you are in the family corner. It can also be wise to talk with the child about the experience after the visit.

Below, you can read more about talking to children about 22 July specifically, and difficult topics in general. The guidelines provide concrete advice and are tailored to different ages. This was developed in collaboration with Jon Håkon Schultz, who is an educational psychologist and researcher on violence, terrorism, and crisis psychology at UiT.