Travel has a way of bringing out the kid in everyone – diet and curfew be damned! You get to let loose your inner child and do just as you please for the duration of your holiday. Which is why a visit to the Edinburgh Museum of Childhood is so perfectly appropriate.
Located right on the Royal Mile, the Museum of Childhood is chock full of toys and other items children have found interesting for generations. It was originally opened in 1955, and was the world’s first museum to focus on the history of childhood. Then Edinburgh Town Councillor Patrick Murray thought it would be a good idea to open such a museum, and the museum’s continued success seems to have proved him right! Today, it’s billed as “the noisiest museum in the world,” which could be a selling point or a deterrent, depending on who you are.
The Edinburgh Museum of Childhood has plenty to delight boys and girls of all ages, from dolls to trains to stuffed toys to a life-size display of a 1930s classroom where you can hear children chanting their multiplication tables! There are a full five floors of toys, books and games for guests to look at and even play with. And while some of the exhibits clearly have an Edinburgh focus, the museum features toys from all over the world.
In addition to the regular displays, the museum also hosts several temporary exhibitions and events throughout the year. Especially if you’re visiting Edinburgh with kids, this is a great addition to your itinerary. Plus, with free admission, you can’t complain about the price.
Location: 42 High Street, Royal Mile, Edinburgh; tel: 0131 529 4142
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:00-17:00
Admission: Free