Museum of Childhood

Planning a day at the Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh starts with mapping out Old Town’s bustling Royal Mile, where the museum’s cheerful entrance promises both warmth and wonder in all seasons. Located within walking distance from Waverley Station and easy to reach by bus, the museum welcomes a flow of visitors, though early mornings or late afternoons tend to offer quieter moments. Entry remains free, making it an easy choice for travelers with families, solo explorers, or anyone in want of a break from the city’s windswept streets. Summers can see bigger crowds, especially on weekends or during school holidays, but thoughtful displays and easy navigation allow everyone to find their own pockets of calm and fun.

• Best time to visit: Weekday mornings or late afternoons, especially outside summer or school holidays
• How to get there: Short walk from Waverley Station; city buses stop along the Royal Mile; limited parking nearby
• Accessibility: Most galleries are accessible for prams and wheelchairs; lifts and ramps are available
• Average visit duration: 1–2 hours, though enthusiasts may want longer to linger

On entering, visitors find themselves swept into a world both familiar and new, where toys and memories line every case and corner. Five floors, each with a distinct flavor, reveal how children have learned and played over centuries—from delicate dollhouses and Victorian rocking horses, to wind-up robots and the first video game consoles. Every display tells a story. Local schoolchildren’s letters and faded photographs bring Edinburgh’s own history to life, while treasures from far-flung corners show just how universal the magic of childhood can be. Between displays, the gentle hum of interactive stations and story corners helps bring young ones—and the young at heart—into the experience.

• Key sights or features: Giant teddy bears, intricate dollhouses, a 1930s classroom setup, and vintage prams
• Unique experiences: Try out classic games, listen to recordings of childhood through the last hundred years, or watch short films in the mini-theater
• Photo-worthy locations: The colorful toy displays on the ground floor; the old-fashioned sweet shop facade; silhouettes framed in leaded glass windows
• Cultural or historical facts: The museum opened in 1955 as the first in the world dedicated to childhood; exhibits change regularly, making each visit a little different