Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh

If your kids are a bit fed up with visiting ancient monuments and galleries, it’s time to take them to the Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile.

Back in the early 1950s, Patrick Murray, a member of the Edinburgh Council, realized that a lot of children weren’t so keen on the museums their parents took them to on cold, wet days. So he began to think about a museum dedicated to children and everything that centers around kids – their education, health and, of course, their toys and games. In this way, he hoped to amuse and educate both children and adults. In 1955 he founded the Museum of Childhood.

It is really a great place for everyone; the exhibits are spread out in five galleries over five floors and deal, as Mr. Murray had hoped, with every aspect of childhood. In the Education section, your children can learn about how schools were run between 1950 and the present day, and see photos of classic classrooms. Different uniforms are on display, as well as the famous “birch rod”, used to discipline unruly pupils.

There are wonderful hands-on activities with a dressing-up room and a puppet theatre. And of course, there are toys all over the place! The children will see and learn about the toys and games that kept you and your parents happy long before video games were ever thought of. They can play with dolls and teddy bears, tin soldiers with cannons that fire match-sticks, numerous board games, train sets and other toys from around the world.

The museum has a wonderful toy shop, where your kids will quickly find a special toy to take home – and where you can perhaps buy a replacement for that favourite teddy of yours that you cuddled up with back in your childhood.

Why You Should Visit:
To step back in time – this place is not just for families. There are all sort of interesting toys & games on display, some dating back centuries, others from recent past decades.

Tip:
Free entry, but there are donation boxes, as well as funny things and souvenirs you can buy on the ground floor.