Museum of Childhood

The Museum of Childhood stands at 42 High Street on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland, at the corner with Cowgate. It opened in 1955 and is reported to be the first museum in the world devoted to the history of childhood. It was founded by Patrick Murray, an Edinburgh city councillor, and is now run by Museums and Galleries Edinburgh. The collection fills several floors of an Old Town building and includes toys, games, dolls, dolls' houses, model trains, teddy bears, books, clothes and nursery items from Scotland and abroad, with most dating from the 19th and 20th centuries. The displays are thematic rather than strictly chronological, with galleries on toys and play, children's health and schooling, clothing, street games and growing up in different periods. Visitors see tin toys, Victorian dolls, board games, puppets and a recreated schoolroom, as well as items showing how children's lives changed with industrialisation, education reform and the world wars. Many exhibits are presented in glass cases, with some hands-on and nostalgic elements that appeal to both children and adults. The museum is also a record of changing attitudes toward children, including discipline, work and welfare. The building is a conserved Old Town property with several levels and narrow staircases. Entry is free, and visitors typically spend about an hour. Interpretation panels are in English. The museum is one of the busiest free attractions on the Royal Mile, so visitors often arrive early on weekends and in school holidays, and opening hours should be confirmed online.