Celebrating childhood: Edinburgh’s Museum of Childhood isa delight for both young and old

Known for its spectacular vintage setting, Edinburgh, the charming Scottish capital, is also home to an intriguing childhood museum where an array of galleries presents a rich collection of toys, games, literature and pictures. The collection, dating back to the 1800s, takes one on a journey of a different kind — all with free entry.

Located on Edinburgh’s most popular street, Royal Mile, the Museum of Childhood opened doors in 1955 and was the creation of a local councillor and optician, Patrick Murray (1908-81), who was also its first curator. His passion for collecting toys birthed the idea of a museum.

“The museum began with a not-so-large collection but Murray’s enthusiasm attracted more and more, which not only brought diversity but also touched several time periods. Other than his personal collection, today we have more than 60,000 items, which have come as donation from different corners of the UK and the world. Within a few years of the opening, the collection grew so much that an adjoining building was bought,” says Paul Meadows, a senior visitor assistant of the museum.

Begin with any gallery, they all promise a deep immersion. Take the one dedicated to dolls, for instance. There are dolls made well before the 1800s, chiefly of wood or wax, followed by creative homemade ones or of plastic from the 1870s. Some stand out, especially the Scottish fishermen wives for their traditional attire. There are also ‘talking dolls’ from the 1890s, which were invented by Thomas Edison.

In the teddy bear corner, it’s the small ‘Steiff teddy bear’ that holds attention. It travelled out of Vienna on the last train that rescued Jewish children from the Nazis in 1939. Surprisingly, two wooden toys — a small parrot and cart and horse — also share space with the teddies. These were made by German prisoners while they were imprisoned in Scotland during World War II and were gifted by them to the local children.

The games section includes famous TV and movie characters, skates, bicycles and indoor games, including the earliest version of video games and electric train. In the living room gallery, model scenes of children depicting different age groups can be seen playing in various kinds of homes, from luxury to simple.

As one sits down to watch the 10-minute ‘Singing on the Streets’ movie in one of the first galleries upon arrival, it transports the viewer to the early 1950s, when children were highly active outside home, playing imaginative games (and singing along) in small or large groups.

What’s even more interesting is to connect with visitors whose discussions about childhood are encouraged by these galleries. “It’s an emotional place which reminds you of your own childhood. I have seen the era when dolls and other toys were also made at home. They may not have been fancy but they were made with love and we enjoyed playing with them,” says 80-year-old Linda Marriott from Dublin.

You can listen to interesting childhood tales on headphones attached to the museum walls. A literature gallery contains story books, comics and magazines read by children in various eras.

End your visit by shopping at the museum’s little shop or spend time in the play area. And, of course, don’t forget to read the inspiring sayings on childhood on almost every wall of the museum — powerful enough for life’s many truths.