diff --git a/kivymd/uix/navigationbar/navigationbar.py b/kivymd/uix/navigationbar/navigationbar.py
index e2f45cc05..7f823a603 100644
--- a/kivymd/uix/navigationbar/navigationbar.py
+++ b/kivymd/uix/navigationbar/navigationbar.py
@@ -585,6 +585,11 @@ def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
         Clock.schedule_once(self.set_status_bar_color)
 
+    def get_active_item(self) -> MDNavigationItem | None:
+        """Returns the currently active item in the navigation bar."""
+
+        return next((child for child in self.children if child.active), None)
+
     def set_active_item(self, item: MDNavigationItem) -> None:
         """Sets the currently active element on the panel."""