Museum of Childhood (Edinburgh) facts for kids
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| Established | 1955 |
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| Location | Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Type | Toy |
| Collection size | 60,000 |
| Visitors | 225,000 (2017) |
| Founder | Patrick Murray |
| Owner | City of Edinburgh Council |
The Museum of Childhood is a super cool place in Edinburgh, Scotland, right on the famous Royal Mile. It's filled with amazing collections of children's toys and fun things to play with! This museum was the very first in the world to focus only on the history of childhood. The best part? It's free to visit! The City of Edinburgh Council runs and owns this special museum.
Contents
Discovering the Museum's History
How the Museum Started
The idea for the museum came from a man named Patrick Murray. He was an Edinburgh Councillor and loved collecting old toys and items from childhood. His amazing collection became the start of the museum. The Museum of Childhood first opened its doors to visitors in 1955.
Moving to a New Home
In 1957, the museum moved to its current spot on Edinburgh's Royal Mile. This building used to be a hall for the Salvation Army. As the museum grew, it needed more space. So, in 1986, it expanded into the buildings next door. This gave them more room for displays and exhibits.
Modern Updates for Visitors
The museum got a big makeover in 2017. They added brand new display cases and improved the lighting for all the cool things inside. A new digital photo gallery was also added. This gallery shows how children's lives changed throughout the 20th century. In 2017, about 225,000 people visited the museum each year.
What You Can See: The Collection
Amazing Objects from History
The museum has about 60,000 objects! These items come from the 1700s all the way up to today. You can see many interesting things. One special item is a teddy bear that came to the UK with a child during the Kindertransport. This was a rescue effort for children before World War II.
Unique and Interactive Displays
Another highlight is a dollhouse that has real working lights and even tiny plumbing! There's also a very old Queen Anne doll from 1740. You can also see a handmade booklet called The Life History of a Slum Child by Lileen Hardy. The museum also has one of the Scottish Government's "baby boxes." These are special packages given to all new parents in Scotland.
The museum also has fun areas where younger visitors can play and explore. These interactive spaces encourage kids to learn through play.
Gallery
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A tiny Victorian butcher's shop from the 1880s
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A funfair Galloper Horse, made around 1902
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A toy battleship from before 1914, like the H.M.S. Dreadnought
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A 'Meccano' construction set for building models
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A child's metal spinning top from the 1950s
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See Also
- Trinity Apse and Brass Rubbing Centre, Chalmers Close
- Museum of Childhood, for other museums with similar names
