traveltowith

Find the Best Activities & Hotels for Families, Couples, and Solo Travelers

About UsContactTerms & ConditionsPrivacy Policy
© 2026 Traveltowith. All rights reserved.
t
Search...
United Kingdom/Things to Do in Edinburgh, with kids

Museum of Childhood (with kids)

with kidswith babycouple tripsolo trip

How Kids-Friendly is Museum of Childhood?

88%Kids-Friendly
View Map

What makes it 88% Kids-Friendly: Children up to 12 can dress up, press interactive buttons, join holiday workshops and see thousands of toys; free entry, toilets and lift make it an easy, high-value family outing.

Google
Reviews4.3/ 5
(from 2,160 reviews)

Positives:

  • Free Entry: No admission fee for adults or children keeps costs low.
  • Interactive Exhibits: Hands-on areas keep kids engaged with history and play.
  • Central Location: Situated on the Royal Mile, easy to combine with other attractions.

Challenges:

  • Crowded Spaces: Small galleries can feel cramped during peak hours.
  • Limited Accessibility to Upper Floors: Lift serves only ground to second floor; older galleries require stairs.
  • No Dedicated Nursing Room: Parents needing privacy should ask staff for quiet seating.
Museum of Childhood image 1
Museum of Childhood image 2
Museum of Childhood image 3
Museum of Childhood image 4
Museum of Childhood image 5
🏖️ Explore Museum of Childhood with a local guide: GetYourGuide's 10 BEST Activities and Tours around Museum of Childhood. Local guides know the hidden gems you'd otherwise miss, read what other travelers experienced, and book easily.

What is Museum of Childhood?

  • A museum on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile dedicated to the material culture of childhood, showcasing British toys, games and children’s objects from the 19th century to the present
  • The museum occupies interconnected 18th-century townhouses, with period galleries displaying items such as Victorian dolls, Second World War baby gas masks and antique feeding bottles
  • Curated by Edinburgh City Museums and Galleries, it offers free admission to over 10,000 artifacts that trace the evolution of childhood in Scotland

What is so special about Museum of Childhood for with kids?

  1. Free admission and central location on the Royal Mile.
  2. Hands-on dress-up area and interactive toys for all ages.
  3. Historic schoolroom and photo galleries spark curiosity.
  4. Optional paid workshops offer extra creative fun.

Recommended visit duration: 1-1.5 hours

Why 1-1.5 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: A short visit lets kids explore dress-up, play areas, and exhibits without tiring.

(View Museum of Childhood on Map)

Kids-Friendly Activities in Museum of Childhood

Dress-Up Play Area:

Try on Victorian and 20th-century costumes in a child-sized tee-pee.

Tip: Pick outfits that fit quickly and snap photos in the dressing area before moving on.

Interactive Toys Zone:

Play the player piano and handle models to connect with toy history.

Tip: Let each child choose a toy to try, and supervise younger ones around moving parts.

1930s Schoolroom Experience:

Sit in the recreated classroom and press the button to hear period chanting.

Tip: Have kids mimic the tables aloud for an immersive experience.

Film & Digital Photo Gallery:

View short films and compare family photos from different decades.

Tip: Discuss how childhood has changed to engage older kids in conversation.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Museum of Childhood

  1. Visit Early: Arrive at opening time to explore exhibits before crowds arrive.
  2. Pre-Book Workshops: Reserve holiday workshops online to guarantee spots for kids.
  3. Combine Tickets: Pair your visit with nearby Camera Obscura for a full-day family outing.
🏖️ Tour Museum of Childhood like a local: GetYourGuide's Top 10 Activities and Tours in Museum of Childhood. Local experts uncover hidden treasures you'd never find alone, browse authentic traveler reviews, and book your perfect adventure hassle-free.

Reviews of Museum of Childhood

Powered by Google
Kalista Sky

Kalista Sky

Sep 2025

The Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh is free to enter, though you can always leave a donation. It’s spread across several floors with different toys to see. The place is interesting not only for children but also for adults and older visitors. Little ones can not only look at the exhibits but also interact with some of them. There’s also a short film about childhood in the 1930s–1960s, offering g...

H 999

H 999

Jul 2025

The toy collection from olden days is charming and nostalgic. It’s free to enter and sits right in the heart of the city. Lovely little museum for families or anyone who enjoys childhood memories!

Fikha Rahmadina

Fikha Rahmadina

Jul 2025

I love coming to the Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh, it’s such a unique and nostalgic place. As someone from Indonesia, I was amazed to see so many toys and dolls I’ve never seen before. The collection is huge and full of charm, with items from different eras that really make you feel like you’re stepping into the past. It’s exciting to explore, and there’s so much to see, but I do feel like it’...

Asli

Asli

Jun 2025

Small but a definitely enjoyful museum! The best part was surely the doll's room. I was surprised to see such different dolls together in one room haha The entrance with all those lovely messages about childhood times made me smile. You can definitely feel it is not just a combination of childhood related objects inside but an effort to make the experience the fullest with fine details considered ...

K. Peake

K. Peake

May 2025

This museum is an absolute gem for a free visit, starting with info about the early stages of life that children experience! Details are taken in from the different eras of time for them, artefacts and culture of old schools are demonstrated even. Plenty of board and card games, alongside toys throughout periods of time are shown in a fascinating collection! Appreciate how they have small notable ...

When is the best time to visit Museum of Childhood (Edinburgh, United Kingdom)?

During school holidays, book the magic workshops early online as they fill up fast. In winter, use your visit to escape the cold Royal Mile weather with indoor play.

✈️ Ready to go? Check the latest flight deals to Edinburgh on Trip.com

Explore These Activities

Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)

ItemCost (Approx.)
Museum admission (family)GBP 0
Holiday magic workshop (per child)GBP 10
Souvenir from gift shopGBP 10
Total EstimatedGBP 30

Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve

Map of Museum of Childhood

Address: 42 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1TG, UK

Map will load when you scroll here

Scroll down to view the interactive map

Looking for other Things to Do besides Museum of Childhood (Edinburgh)?

← See other Things to Do in Edinburgh (with kids)

About Museum of Childhood

Opening Hours

Monday:Closed
Tuesday:Closed
Wednesday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.

Website

Official Website

Phone Number

+44 131 529 4142

10 BEST nearby Activities

Book on GetYourGuide

Explore Popular Things to Do

🇬🇧 United Kingdom, with kids

Things to Do in London, with kids
London
Things to Do in Edinburgh, with kids
Edinburgh
Things to Do in Manchester, with kids
Manchester

🇺🇸 United States, with kids

Things to Do in Hawaii, with kids
Hawaii
Things to Do in New York, with kids
New York
Los AngelesSan FranciscoLas VegasSeattleAustinNiagara Falls

🇨🇦 Canada, with kids

Things to Do in Vancouver, with kids
Vancouver
Things to Do in Toronto, with kids
Toronto
Things to Do in Montreal, with kids
Montreal
VictoriaCalgaryQuebec CityOttawaNiagara Falls

🇮🇪 Ireland, with kids

Things to Do in Dublin, with kids
Dublin
Things to Do in Cork, with kids
Cork
Things to Do in Galway, with kids
Galway

🇮🇹 Italy, with kids

Things to Do in Rome, with kids
Rome
Things to Do in Florence, with kids
Florence
Things to Do in Milan, with kids
Milan

🇫🇷 France, with kids

Things to Do in Paris, with kids
Paris
Things to Do in Nice, with kids
Nice
Things to Do in Lyon, with kids
Lyon

How You Can Support Us

If our website helps you, please support us by booking your travel needs through this link: Book Flights, Hotels, Activities on Trip.com - New App User Promo up to 10% OFF. We may earn a small affiliate commission - at no extra cost to you!

It's a simple way to help us keep the site running and improving for everyone. Thanks for your support!

10 BEST nearby Activities

Book on GetYourGuide
traveltowith
HomeDestinationsAbout
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

searching for