Museum of Childhood

Entry is free, but with a suggested donation of £5 and well worth it. Very interesting history of the museum collection and the history of the development of childhood in children over the last couple of hundred years. There's a huge collection of dolls, including some very old ones and some very interesting ones. Some of them (well lots of them actually, have really quite disturbing faces and you wouldn't want to be left in a dark room with one of them 😳). The other rooms were equally interesting with lots of other fascinating toys and games. Well worth a visit.

It was a nice museum for kids but have only few displays. The dolls were very creepy but amusing at the same time

A great FREE museum to visit with kids, to show them childhood toys of the past. A great place to kill some time for a couple of hours, especially looking at all the different types of dolls made from different materials. There is no entry fee to the museum, only a suggested donation of £5. The galleries are spread over multiple levels and there are toilets available inside the museum. There's a gift shop upon entry/exit of the museum.

Free to enter with a box to put in a donation if you want to. Lots of toys from past years to look at computers, dolls, games ect. A shop with toys to buy. Wasn't too busy when we went, nice relaxing walk around.

Museum dedicated to the history of childhood, full with old toys, dolls, and clothes from different periods. It's free to enter, located in an old building on the Royal Mile and it has a gift shop and toilet facilities. It's on a few levels, but some of the exhibitions were closed. We walked around it for about half an hour and decided to explore another place. It was a bit of an odd place for me personally, but I think it should be interesting if you're visiting with young children.

Very cute museum exploring the concept and memories of childhood, with displays of dolls, games, clothes... If you're around, give it a try !

Wonderful experience. Highly recommended. Free entry. I made a £5 donation. It's worth it.

It was a heartwarming experience visiting the Museum of Childhood. Exploring the evolution of childhood play was truly fascinating. The highlight of our visit was the friendly gentleman working at the store, who made our trip perfect. The Museum of Childhood is a delightful place that beautifully captures the essence of nostalgia and the joy of growing up

This museum was closed for a couple years due to covid and I was so thrilled when it reopened. A fun little museum with a lot of old toys to look at and a lot to play and interact with too.

I absolutely love The Museum of Childhood. I always seem to find my way here when I'm in Edinburgh - it's just so charming (and a wonderful place to take refuge when it's raining). Apparently this was the first museum in the world that was dedicated to childhood, toys, and play. And there's truly a bit of everything from every era here (and plenty to see and interact with): from retro/vintage board games to current day technology, books and clothing, dolls and train sets, it's an impressive collection that invokes such warm fuzzies and nostalgia in the best way possible. (I discovered the book "The Island and the Bear" here and am forever grateful for that.) Please visit, take your time, and donate before you leave!

A great museum full of interesting toys from the past, a section full of creepy but fascinating dolls and lots of interactive fun and games throughout. Great way to spend a rainy afternoon and it's free. There is a shop that sells interesting items too

The Museum of Childhood is a wonderland for people who never grow up, and a nostalgia trip for those who want to go back to those carefree years. Glass cabinets line the wall, preserving an amazing amount of childhood nostalgia, dating back from as early as the Victorian era. On all floors you can find themed exhibits with old 1940s bikes to early computer games and girls comics. They host a large number of toys spanning over the past 100 years and it's incredible seeing how far we've advanced. What scares me, however, is seeing toys I vividly remember cherishing as a child now hammered up on these walls - am I that old already? Saying that, it's nice to see they keep their exhibits up to date. It's amazing to watch the timescale unfold in front of your eyes and to see how our interests have changed, from the laid back 60s playsets to the high tech mechanical machines of the 80s. With a working coin operated "spooky room" in a dolls house to the awesome coin operated piano, there's something in here for people of all ages. Not surprisingly, you'll find the adults loving it as much as the kids, if not more! Did I mention it's free?

The Museum of Childhood has some interesting collections about childhood (from toys to hygiene, across many time periods), and is a nice free stop off the Royal Mile. It was a little smaller than I anticipated since some galleries were essentially one medium/large sized room, and it could stand to be a little bit updated. Nice for a 30 minute stop, but perhaps not somewhere to go out of your way for.

Not being originally from Edinburgh or nearby, I can't compare my childhood memories of the Museum of Childhood from school trips or weekend visits, like some of my other yelpers. During my visit I was impressed. Here is a decent sized museum on an interesting topic which appeals to all ages and is all importantly free to the public. I can't really understand what people say about this place getting really busy because when I've been in there's been hardly anyone here. This has always surprised me as although the Museum of Edinburgh or The People's Story down the road is a little more out the way, The Museum of Childhood is in tourist central. The Museum is basically a collection of toy, games and playthings from different periods of mostly the 19th and 20th century, starting with the Victorians where the modern idea of Children's toys derives. The Museum isn't really a deep meditation on the nature of childhood, at least not in any obvious way, and any sort of greater meaning will be arrived at personally. Rather it is a display of both historical novelty and recent nostalgia. In particular I enjoyed the large room absolutely filled to the brim with dolls from different period and around the world. Whilst the museum is almost solely western focused, this was an interesting comparison of not only different time but different space. When I'm in the Museum of Childhood I'm really pleased to see the intrigue of contemporary children of childhood past. It gives me hope that children are not now solely mindless occupiers of a digital world. They seem equally taken in by the gift shop (no surprise there as such), which sells traditional toys like diablo and yo-yo. This shop even kept me amused, particularly there nice selection of nostalgic and humorous postcards. A fantastic and free museum, perfect for family visits.

I love this museum purely for the nostalgic, feel good factor it has. The exhibits showcase all sorts of toys dating back over a hundred years which I find really interesting. It amazes me how some of the toys seem so simple, yet they were bound to have provided hours of entertainment. I'm not sure how I feel seeing toys that I played with when I was younger in a museum, but that is my own personal issue. I think the sheer nostalgia of this place clouds my judgment of this museum. It has clearly been forgotten about, what with the massive refurbishment of the Royal Museum up the road. So it could do with some updating and perhaps developing the exhibits further. However it is great fun and best down with your grandparents and parents so everyone can point out their old toys and reminisce.

Hidden away behind an unassumiong door on the royal mile, hides the museum of childhood - a nostalgic, if a bit dated tour through some of histories greatest toys and all other manner of child related objects. I say dated, because while I understand that the toys obviously are old, I got the general impression that this place has been the same for a very long time. The exhibit is still great, don't get me wrong, but it just needs sprucing up a little bit. Other than that, the museum is rather splendid, a must for kids of all ages.

The Museum of Childhood will always have a special place in my heart as it's where my mum used to take me every summer when I was little. My mum loves cuddly toys, dolls and even has her very own teddy bear collection so whenever I think of this place, I think of her... it's as if my mum is synonymous with the Museum of Childhood. They have some amazing toys in here and best of all, a visit here is absolutely FREE! I've been here so many times that I've lost count but it was only on my last visit that I discovered a glass cabinet with three cheeky toy monkeys inside, there was a note beside them saying that they were the stars of the story; "The Royal Mile at Midnight" which tells of all the toys in the museum coming to life at night. I couldn't believe I'd never heard of this before so on my way out I had a look around the gift shop to see if I could find a copy of the book. I couldn't believe my luck when I found a copy in the bargain bucket for 50p! It's such a cute story and the next time I go back to the museum I'll think of all the toys in a different light. Especially the skeleton who is apparently partial to the odd cup of tea.

Popped in here a few months ago when out in Edinburgh for the day. We stumbled across it by accident and since it was free we decided to have a nosy. Its a decent sized wee museum with lots of childhood toys and memories to see. The staff were friendly enough without being intrusive. We spent around 40 mins here but I guess you could spend slightly more or slightly less depending on your level of interest. Their is a lovely gift shop as you enter with a good selection of modern toys plus some old faves from back in the day. I would really reccomemd you pop in here if passing as its a great way to spend an hr or so.

Many major cities have a little space full of old school toys to embrace the inner child of all those who have ever been children, and Edinburgh's such space takes the "toy museum" up a notch with making it about ALL of childhood. It is also the FIRST museum focusing on the history of childhood, and after heading to so many around the world it was quite neat to make it to the original! After walking through a little shop, you enter the multiple stories displaying stories of the history of the experience of being a child. Long descriptions - to the point there are way too many to even read - describe what each little desk, doll, and toy meant. It goes through a timeline of what we wanted to teach children, what responsibilities they were given, what school and home life was like, etc. Patrick Murray, an avid toy collector, started this museum and it is said that the lengthy descriptions were his signature. Employees are kind, helpful, and pleasant. The displays are incredibly thorough on the information and history they provide. A really intriguing look into the history of being a youngin', and all for free! Worth a stop if you are already wandering the Royal Mile. Oh, and there is a floor towards the top with child sized dolls acting out various scenes with charming music playing so bring a friend because I went in by myself and had to run through that part because it freaked me out being in a room alone with little doll children. I watch too many horror movies.

Recently found out about this place when trolling f for interesting things for kids to do and this place was mentioned by tour group GrayLine. Has this throughout the ages and from different countries. Takes around 45-60 min to see it all. Had some toy stations kids can play in such as a doll house, tea table, lego board, and magnetic fishing. My 4 1/2 year old niece enjoyed it. Is free entry with optional donation.

This place is great. I have been several times and remember going when i was little. They had this workbook thing that my geeky younger self found really cool (you had to find stuff in the museum i think!) Its a good dose of nostalgia - even for those of us who are not that old - definitely go its worth a couple of hours!!

Peeps you don't have to have children to enjoy this place. Wowza this place is free so spend a few pennies and have a go at the coin operated Sweeney Todd, guillotine and automatic piano machines, etc. So many toys that take you back to when you were a child, I loved the Charlie's Angels dolls, a bit before my time but oh the memories of the show. A bit of history re the toys of yester year which was interesting. Bible related toys on a Sunday, oh how times have changed. Xoxo

The Museum of Childhood is nostalgic on two levels. Older people will get nostalgic as they see toys similar to those they actually used, while the under 30s will get nostalgic as the museum reminds them of school trips in the 80s and 90s. The place has hardly changed at all since then. Quite small and so easily fully appreciated within an hour or two, it's a wonderfully honest little tourist attraction, and while some complain that it feels a bit old and tired, I think the dusty feel and 80s interior just adds to the experience. Whilst browsing the exhibits, I did begin to feel that there should perhaps be more stuff from the 80s and 90s, as 20 and 30 somethings would absolutely lap this up. I was then quite chuffed to see a sign downstairs stating how they're actively looking for toys from this era, and donations would be appreciated. Sadly I think my Ninja Turtles and Ghostbusters got chucked out some time ago, but I'll have a rummage when I get the chance.

Anywhere where I can get a good run of nostalgia and reminiscing on the go is a winner with me. This place definitely reminds me of trips and days out when I was younger, when obstructing my brother from sharing my little red car and pretending to cook lumps of Play-Doh on my toy cooker was all I had to worry about. The museum is a good call if you have young people in your possession for the day, and you've been instructed to do something educational, yet fun. I avoid babysitting/making awkward conversation with children at all costs, just because I'm truly rubbish at it, so this doesn't really apply to me, but I know other humans like to wander about with their kids or wee cousins or whatever, so this could be an idea for a few hours of wandering. People of any age would get enjoyment out of the museum though, so after all that child blarb, I'm basically now saying that you should all attend the museum, all of you! Anyway, this was apparently the first museum in the world to specialise in the history of childhood, and it's packed with toy relics, and more recent toy memorabilia. There is also some history on the way children have been brought up, and dressed over the years. Plus it's free entry, so you've got no excuse not to come and take a look.

I really used to love this wee place when I was younger, and used to come on school trips here all the time. The great thing is, the museum is free, and really does cater for everyone from kiddies to Grannies, who can reminisce about the toys of their childhood. However, when I revisited the museum a couple of weeks ago, I was sad to see it needed a great big dose of TLC. Nothing much has changed over the years, and none of the interactive machines on the lower floors were in working order. It is so small that I think they should probably limit the amount of people coming and going at the one time, as we could barely get moving! The displays are good, and interesting, but once you've seen a couple you kind of get the gist. I still have a deep fondness for the place, and really hope they jazz it up a bit soon before it's popularity starts to rapidly decline.

A favourite of mine since I was a kid, a great place to visit to educate children about life before computers and all totally free! I highly reccommend a great place to visit for Adults & kids alike. Ess

Another one of Edinburgh FREE entry places. This places is packed full of toys of old. Such a wonderful experience just to wondering around and get in the 1000s of item before you. The place is small but packed with lots of stuff. GIFT shop is good too. All and all a nice place to drop in.

Great free museum situated on the historic and absolutely stunning Royal Mile. I try to make it in to the Museum of Childhood every couple of years. Not only is it fascinating looking back across the ages of toys and games, it also reminds me of visits when I was a child. The shop is fabulous and sells a number of old fashioned toys. I am always impressed that in this day of technology kids can still have great fun with a diablo or marbles. Ok, maybe not all kids but any that have visited the museum will be tempted by the tradional toys. Plus, the Fudge Kitchen is right beside it and sells the most indulgent and delicious fudge ever. Yummmmmmm

The museum of childhood is ok, but not a favourite of ours. There's not a lot to see, not a lot to touch and not a lot to engage young children. Perfect for collectors to visit perhaps, but not so good for families.

Edinburgh's Royal Mile is steeped in history, with many places of interest for tourists and locals alike. But one of the most rewarding to visit is the Museum of Childhood. This treasure trove has been thrilling children and adults alike since opening in 1955 (the first of its kind in the world). To enter this remarkable location is to truly step back in time, through centuries of toys, games, train-sets and costumes, sometimes into your own childhood. The tenements surrounding this setting were built at a time when housing was crammed into the available room. But this makes for a compact exhibition area, creating a more intimate feel than some cavernous modern gallery. Everything is catalogued with concise descriptions in index cards. Getting close to the displays you can appreciate how items were relished by former owners. There are also audio records you can listen to 1930s schoolkids reciting maths tables and depictions of traditional street games in the 1950s. Displays are arranged according to historic periods, so as well as providing an interesting glimpse into how our younger ancestors amused themselves, the museum presents a priceless ongoing social history. Some of the older dolls do look crudely pinned together but in today's climate of mobile phones and PlayStations, it is humbling to be plunged into a world where children relied on nothing more than imagination. One of my own earliest memories of this museum is particularly vivid. It was a simple slot-machine where you poked in a halfpenny, then witnessed the re-enactment of the demon barber, Sweeney Todd, transforming his customers into meat pies. As a child brought up in the 1960s it is a wonderful experience seeing toys, games, football cards, Airfix kits or soldiers that I can remember spending carefree hours playing with, preserved for generations to come. After completing your tour there is a well-stocked gift shop, providing ample souvenirs to remind you of this spellbinding exhibition.

This place is wondeful. I loved to visit it as a child and have my parents point out toys they remembered from their childhood ( I think they enjoyed it as much as me!) step back in time ,full of toys old and new. lovely atmosphere. Free entry and a very informative and enjoyable day.

We used to come here on school trips and I always thought it was a magical place. It is so nice to see such a variety of toys from throughout the years. It sounds like a really simple idea really but it is quite deceptive as the amount of learning that is done while visiting this small but packed-to-the-brims space is huge. I think in this age where we expect everything to be all singing and all dancing it is easy to forget what has come before us and to realise how happy children were with such basic toys is quite humbling. And at the same time it is inspirational to see how simple ideas have evolved over the years, becoming mnore innovative, experimental and life-changing. A must for the whole family.

Located on the Royal mile , Central Edinburgh . This small musuem is fulled with loads of toys / games from the ages in glass cases. It first opened in 1995 and has been successfull ever since.this is free to get which is allways a plus.

I'm such a fan of this museum. Looking at all the old toys, and artifacts made me feel like a child again. We visited almost all of the museums in Edinburgh, and this is certainly my favourite out of all the ones we visited. The place looks very small from the outside, but the museum is split over about 4 different flours. It is great fun, and certainly worth a look for old and young alike !

My first visit was for a Scottish History essay regarding how Edinburgh represents things to potential tourists. Along with the story telling centre it was a great alternative to investigate, but my return visit made it feel like a fantastic toy shop that you couldn't take home. The interaction is minimal and frustratingly what you can get to grips with leaves you more inquisitive. A good one off, and a great price for it!

The Museum of Childhood is such a great place to take children for a free day out. Located on the Royal Mile, it can easily keep even the most demanding child amused for a couple of hours. Inside the museum they have a huge selection of toys, games, dolls and teddy bears going back hundred of years. It's great to see all the different toys that our parents and grandparents used to play with and i found the computer generation kids are fascinated by what previous generations had for entertainment. It's not the biggest museum in the world, but everything is arranged into historical periods and tagged accordingly so it's easy to wander round. Some of the displays do look a bit worn and could do with some refreshing, but i think this adds to the charm of the place.

Saw lots and lots of really old toys from my childhood and stood fascinated at the toys from my parents and grand parents era. They have nice collection of scary looking dolls too. I was only in there for 15 minutes or so, and I bought some dolls house tea set for my daughter in the very reasonably priced gift shop (I can't work out if it's a shop with a museum or a museum with a gift shop).

I'm not too sure what the people running the museum thought of my friend and I spending time colouring in pictures during our visit on a cold Monday morning. Brought back lots of memories and stirred a very vigirous conversation as to whcih were the best toys however as one of use was male and one female our views did differ considerably. Wonderful place to visit for kids of all ages!

I was really excited about visiting The Museum of childhood, as I had not been there for about 20 years, I hate to say that I was a little disappointed. I couldn't help feeling like things were thrown together a little like a jumble sale behind a big glass case. On top of that the place smelt really old. However on the positive side, it was nice seeing some of the toys from years gone by. It was a little like memory lane. I am not sure if it would be as exciting for young children these days and think that adults would enjoy it a bit better as there are lots of toys they will remember. It's a great way to spend a day if you want to do something free in Edinburgh.

Fun nostalgic museum on the royal mile. Free admission. About 4-5 floors of vintage toys. I was in heaven in the doll room. Loved the 1940s story book dolls as I have many of my mothers.

Across from John Knoxx's House is the Museum of Childhood. Despite its slightly creepy name , my friend and I decided to take a look around, mostly because of its free entrance. It's pretty cool, you get to see a lot of toys from olden days to modern ones (you might even see your own childhood games which makes one feel particularly old!) and other than the particularly scary porcelain dolls room, it's all a bit of fun. On weekends it tends to be particularly crowded of families, so if you want a scream-free wonder around I would suggest going on a week day.The gift shop is pretty cool too, with lots of stocking fillers for Christmas!

This was a pleasant surprise on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. The Museum of Childhood has free admission, and is much larger than it appears from the storefront. It's a collection of toys from centuries ago through today, and is an interesting tour through five floors of displays. Our particular favorites were the coin-operated Sweeney Todd and Guillotine machines, disturbing on every possible level. Loved this little hole in the wall.

I did not like this museum. It get cold in the back with all the dolls. Some dolls seemed to be haunted...It wasn't a pleasant atmosphere I am also too young to find simulates with my toys and toys in the museum. So I do not recommend it to young people, it's not interesting for them.

I find the Museum of Childhood quite a depressing place to visit these days. I suggested to my boyfriend that we should go down for a look not so long ago, I hadn't been since I was a child so I thought it might make for a fun afternoon, I was wrong wrong wrong. It seems that nothing has changed since my last visit in the early nineties. The exhibits looked tired and out of date and generally a bit rubbish; this place is in need of a lick of paint and some serious investment. It is a great idea for a museum and one that appeals to both adults and children alike, hopefully they manage to restore it to its former glory by the time I have my own little ones. Edinburgh City Council, get your act together!

Cute and small museum. Good for a 15 minute break. Good for reminiscing. Kids would be bored. The gift shop had a pretty good selection of old fashion toys and books. It is a well done little museum though!

My wee boy adores this place, as do I. Take a trip down memory lane as you spy toys you had forgotten about. The museum is spread over a few levels so you feel you can spend quite a bit of time wandering around. It's nice to sit at the bay windows upstairs and look down on the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile. It also has a nice, reasonably priced gift shop which stocks some lovely novelty items.

This is a great place for a family day out. Parents and grandparents get a trip down memory lane seeing all the toy us that they played with. As well as being free it is central and has a good gift shop. Sited down the royal mile from the front doesn't look huge but is like a tardis when you get inside. Does make you feel old though when you see toys that you used to place with in a museum!

personally, I think this museum is more for adults than children. wandering around here remembering what we used to play with as kids. Toys from all ages are on display here and memories come flooding back as you move from room to room and from display case to display case. toys we may not have played with but the older ones amongst us will have seen many of them on tv and in books.

My children and i love the Museum of Childhood. Its like a treasure house crammed full of objects of childhood past and present. The museum opened in 1955, and was the first museum in the world to specialise in the history of childhood. There are toys and games of all kinds from many parts of the world from dolls and teddy bears to train sets and tricycles. Most of the objects can be picked up and touched and children are encouraged to play with some of the amazing old time toys. Some of the older more delacate objests are in glass casses and these are amazing to look at too. They all have details and a little bit of the history of the object beside them. There is a fabulous old time piano that has been there for as long as i can remember and now my children love it and it works as well as ever. The keys are covered oer with a plastic see through cover and when you put your 50p in it starts to play by itself and you can see the keys move. The kids are just mesmarized by this. An excellent and fun day for all and best of all it is free entry...yippee

This is a great place to visit with children and also for adults to remind you of all your childhood toys! Situated on the Royal Mile this is easily accessible and best of all its FREE! The museum houses lots of old toys that can be looked at, touched and played with by the children. It has around 3 floors of things to look at with placards to tell you all about the history of the objects. The museum also has a lovely gift shop on the first floor which is worth a visit. I wouldnt recommend this place to spend a full day in as you couldnt fill it but its definately worth a look while you are in the Royal Mile.

Adequately named The nosiest museum in the world the Museum of Childhood is both fun and educational with a pinch of nostalgia thrown in as it takes a look at childhood over the centuries. Located halfway down the High Street it offers a detailed insight into such issues as health, education, upbringing and social activities. The huge displays are fascinating with everything from food items and medicines to toys, dolls and games and contemporary classroom settings. Leisurely wander around the three floors, dodge the racing kids and be amazed at just how far removed a typical childhood today is to that in the early 19th/20th Century.

Don't think that this is a museum just for children! You will so be mistaken because adults enjoy it as much as children I took my mum there on her visit to Edinburgh and she was absolutely enchanted by all the toys that she remembered from her childhood!!! It is a really interactive place for children, in every room they have a couple of games to play with, whether it is a theatre for puppets or a child size doll to dress and undress however they like. In the upper floor children can sit down around a table and paint or simply look throught the huge window and wave at the double-decker tour buses! There is always something for everyone!!! Boys will find the trains and cars amazing, while girls will be delighted to find themselves in a room full only of dolls! Curiously enough, this museum was created by a man who hated children but hated the idea of letting the Victorian dolls leave the country more Only annoying thing is that photographs cannot be taken unless you fill in a document stating that you will not take pictures to the children visiting the museum. But the friendly staff will be helful and nice enough to make you feel at home and like a child on Xmas day Wheelchair access since there is an elevator and toilet include space to change the little ones' nappies. If these weren't enough, the shop that they have at the very entrance will keep the parents staring at the toys they use to play with more than children checking the animal-shaped-raincoats and wellies!

This is such a nice place to visit. It gives you a real taste of life gone by. A great place to see some toys that will bring back many memories for lots of people.

Been there so many times, a fantastic place to look at toys from the past Some you may even remember your self (brings back Memories) Good place for a family day out, as it caters to all ages

My parents, boyfriend and me all loved this museum! My parents loved to see toys that they remembered from their childhood and my boyfriend loved to play with the interactive toys they had there, the coin operated machines. It is just a great place to bring out the child in you and reconnect with you childhood. They also have a great shop which I love to do my christmas shopping in because it is full of interesting and fun toys! The museum has changeable displays throughout the year and is completely free!

The Museum of Childhood is situated in the centre of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile, and is free, though I would recommend bringing a variety of loose change because situated throughout the museum are several fascinating (and often rather creepy) coin operated toys and tableaux. When at this museum you get the impression that it is the unloved Museum in Edinburgh, a lot of it seems to be a bit shabby and in need of some TLC, but don't let that put you off. As you travel through the exhibits you'll see many fascinating toys of yore all (rather frustratingly for any kids you have with you) preserved in glass cabinets, but there are also some several stations of accessible toys for the kids to play with scattered throughout the Museum.

Also went here today. Anybody who is interested in history or history of toys may want to pay a visit here.I quite enjoyed just a little nit more than the peoples story. Every picture here told a story.