The Museum of Childhood

Situated in the Royal Mile, the Museum of Childhood has been one of Edinburgh's most loved attractions since 1955, welcoming generations of adults and children. Dubbed 'the world's noisiest museum", it lives up to its reputation with a fun and intriguing display of toys, games and other childhood memorabilia.

Founded by Edinburgh Town Councillor, Patrick Murray, the museum was the first of its kind anywhere in the world. Today, it continues to be funded and operated by Edinburgh City Council, who invites you to enjoy its exhibits and costumes free of charge.

It occupies 5 floors of one of Edinburgh's remarkable medieval townhouses and brims from top to bottom with a fine collection of artefacts uncovering the history of childhood from the Victorian era to the present day.

Adults can take a step down memory lane as they recall their own childhood with an extraordinary display of toys and games spanning generations, from Victorian Dolls to the Scalextric racing cars of the 1970s and early 1980s.

Children can experience a taste of yesteryear as they listen to multiplication tables recited in a 1930's classroom or sample one of the 1950's street games that their grandparents enjoyed, such as peaver or hopscotch. Also of interest at the Museum of Childhood are an exquisite array of 1970's Star Wars figurines and an enchanting early 20th Century Teddy Bear collection.