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All 345 Edinburgh Attractions »

Museum of Childhood

42 High Street | Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 1TG, Scotland
0131 529 4142
As featured in Edinburgh for young kids
Ranked #43 of 163 attractions in Edinburgh
4.0 of 5 stars 79 Reviews
Type: Speciality Museums
Fee: No
Owner description: 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...... more » Owner description: 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. « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children
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79 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    29
    31
    14
    3
    2
Date Rating
Cairneyhill, Scotland, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 May 2012 NEW

Only reason i have rated it average is because it is pretty small. Kids had fun looking at all the old toys but it only took us about 10mins to get round. More

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See 5 more reviews by Louise F for Edinburgh
Livingston, United Kingdom
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2012
1
person found this review helpful

excellent place to visit whatever your age. had not been here for a few years and noticed new displays that had been added. Seen games and toys that i remember playing and owning. It gave my daughter an insight into what life was like when her great grandparents where her age.Its free to visit which is always a bonus. More

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Brisbane, Australia
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 May 2012

Came across this museum by accident whilst shopping, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Free admission too!! A fabulous collection of toys through the ages, but also babies and childrens clothing, foodstuffs etc.. Spent a good hour just wandering around, very nostalgic and interesting. Well worth a visit. More

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See 2 more reviews by AnitaDQatar for Edinburgh
Harrogate, United Kingdom
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 May 2012

I loved looking at all of the childhood toys etc through the years... great as a little pit stop after our visit to the Castle. More

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See 3 more reviews by Coral24 for Edinburgh
fife
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 May 2012

This place is great for all ages because it gives you an insight into childhood toys from past and present.Would recommend for all children and adults! More

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See 6 more reviews by fiferose for Edinburgh
Dundee
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 May 2012

We used to take our son and daughter when they were younger but now it is our gransons and grand daughter they really enjoy it also More

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See 8 more reviews by Amelierobbie for Edinburgh
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 April 2012

It was like seeing my home in a museum in some areas! Quite impressed with all the collections - great attention to detail. Well worth the visit More

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See 20 more reviews by Susan K for Edinburgh
BAHRAIN
Top Contributor
100 reviews 100 reviews
Reviews in 32 cities Reviews in 32 cities
45 helpful votes 45 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 April 2012

Visited with my wife and went in with no expectation and was delighted at the collection of vintage memorabilia. The place is a 100m down High-street from South Bridge on the right, can’t miss it if you are doing the royal mile walk. Some of the exhibits such as the railway station, the Dinky Car and the Teddy bear had... More

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See 11 more reviews by indieglow for Edinburgh
Bishop Auckland
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 April 2012

Excellent way to bring back childhood memories, My wife and I were astonished by how many times we used the phrase: "I had one of those". More

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See 3 more reviews by Ian K for Edinburgh
UK
Senior Contributor
40 reviews 40 reviews
Reviews in 31 cities Reviews in 31 cities
147 helpful votes 147 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 April 2012

We visited the Musuem of Childhood on a miserable rainy April day and I'm so glad we did. My son (23mths) had a lovely time. There are five different galleries to explore and in some of the galleries there are toys for the little ones to play with. On the second floor there is a puppet theatre, an old garage... More

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See 4 more reviews by Gracie99uk for Edinburgh

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