Museum of Childhood
Museum of Childhood
4
About
Adults can indulge in a nostalgia-fest and children discover how their (not so) aged parents amused themselves as youngsters in a world before video games. There’s a wholesomeness to the construction kits and embroidery sets that once kept little fingers busy in a world that embraced the notion of "Improving Sunday Toys," while train sets and dolls houses have enduring appeal. If the implacable stare of the massed ranks of a compendious collection of dolls becomes a little unnerving, there are dressing-up boxes, and regular organized activities to provide diversions.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavoured souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
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See what travellers are saying
  • J B
    London, United Kingdom65 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great small free museum for an interesting hour or two
    Popped in for a couple of hours with our kids aged 6 and 3 who enjoyed the interactive exhibits. NB: The museum is over a few floors and the lift is out of order. There were loads of interesting and nostalgic exhibits to look at did kids and adults.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 1 June 2023
  • DunelmArts
    Aberdeen, United Kingdom1,139 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nostalgic toys
    This small museum explores aspects of British childhood from the 1800s to the present day. The museum comprises display boards, some interactive games and a selection of toys. If you're of a certain age, you'll recognise the Chopper bike, Mousetrap and junior Scrabble games and Tiny Tears doll. Free entry, worth a look if you're passing.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 2 August 2023
  • IvanG
    Deganwy, United Kingdom329 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Nostalgic Experience
    A great little museum that's free, although a £5 donation is suggested. It's a great place to spend an hour away from the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile. You'll see toys from your childhood and it's all very nostalgic. Friendly staff and lovely clean toilets too! Recommended.
    Visited September 2023
    Written 9 September 2023
  • Emma W
    Tuakau, New Zealand17 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Cute little trip down memory lane
    Lovely little museum of childhood memories. We had an hour to kill before our reservation at local restaurant so popped in. I can see people have reviewed quote badly but for a free/donation I was really pleased with the place. Was cool to show our 7 year old some of our childhood toys.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 7 January 2024
  • MrsC
    24 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Quirky museum on the royal mile
    Small museum located on The Royal Mile, we decided to visit as we had a bit of spare time before we needed to go home. Interesting place with lots of old toys and some interactive elements for children to play with. Gift shop was a little over priced, but it's free entry to the museum.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 20 February 2024
  • silje H
    43 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Quaint little place
    I visited on a solo trip. Love that it is free admission. When I came in, I loved it, but there wasn't enough big information if you were not from Scotland. Much of the info can be tricky to find and a little hard to see what is belonging to what. One room had just some random dolls. The interactive bits are really cool.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 29 February 2024
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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles1,253 reviews
Excellent
465
Very good
493
Average
229
Poor
50
Terrible
16

silje H
43 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Solo
I visited on a solo trip. Love that it is free admission. When I came in, I loved it, but there wasn't enough big information if you were not from Scotland. Much of the info can be tricky to find and a little hard to see what is belonging to what. One room had just some random dolls. The interactive bits are really cool.
Written 29 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Matt
Leicester, UK11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
Nice little museum, and great to see old toys, kids enjoyed it for a little look round for an hour. This is free but donations welcome
Written 25 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MrsC
24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
Small museum located on The Royal Mile, we decided to visit as we had a bit of spare time before we needed to go home. Interesting place with lots of old toys and some interactive elements for children to play with. Gift shop was a little over priced, but it's free entry to the museum.
Written 21 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Emma W
Tuakau, New Zealand17 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
Lovely little museum of childhood memories. We had an hour to kill before our reservation at local restaurant so popped in. I can see people have reviewed quote badly but for a free/donation I was really pleased with the place. Was cool to show our 7 year old some of our childhood toys.
Written 7 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cazzyb00
Glasgow, UK11 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Family
As an historian, I was disappointed at the mishmash of displays- a timeline would have been useful. Could be so much better.
Written 17 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Philip B
3 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Family
A relatively small museum. But larger than it looks from the outside. Brings back memories of childhood for different generations. You’ll recognise books, comics, toys from several decades. I would have preferred more interactive activities for my 8 year old and a greater cultural and historical context. Somewhat superficial at times. But fun.
Written 2 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HILARY C
18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
I was a child in the 70s and there was very little from this era. Mostly a few old board games, books, toys from different eras and not much else. I was hoping to see some old Action Man, Sindy and Barbie dolls inc. accessories from the past but there was none of this.

Still, it was free so there's nothing to complain about in that respect and I still give it 5 stars.
Written 12 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Adella
3 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Family
Free entry makes this the only thing that’s worth it. A few floors are closed for refurbishment at the moment and the lift is out of order.
I really hope the refurbished floors offer more for children visiting the facility. It’s nostalgic for adults to look around but so dull and boring for kids. Very little interactive areas for kids. Mostly just random uninviting corners with books.
There is so much potential for a place like this but this is a let down.
I’d be happy to pay if it had more for kids. Why not have a game boy set up and let them play Tetris, or get some costumes of old style kids clothes and let them pretend to be in an old school with slates and chalk, let them host their own Punch and Judy show etc.
Written 11 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

IvanG
Deganwy, UK329 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023
A great little museum that's free, although a £5 donation is suggested. It's a great place to spend an hour away from the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile. You'll see toys from your childhood and it's all very nostalgic. Friendly staff and lovely clean toilets too! Recommended.
Written 9 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KCC09876
Los Angeles, CA1,885 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Solo
Free entry. Nice look into the past. Spent only about 30 minutes here, but still very interesting. Love the different board guys and the Victorian fancy dress exhibit.
Written 29 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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