Museum of Childhood

The Museum of Childhood stands on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile in a former Salvation Army hall. It was founded by Patrick Murray, an Edinburgh councillor who collected toys and childhood objects. The museum opened in 1955 and moved to its present site in 1957. In 1986 it expanded into nearby buildings to add more display space. A major refurbishment in 2017 introduced new cabinets, lighting and a digital photo gallery. The collection includes about 60,000 items from the 18th to the 21st century. Among the highlights are a teddy bear brought by a Kindertransport child, a dollhouse with working lights and plumbing, and a 1740 Queen Anne doll. The museum also holds a copy of Lileen Hardy’s handmade booklet The Life History of a Slum Child. Visitors can see one of Scotland’s baby boxes, the government maternity package given to new parents. Inside, the museum has several interactive areas designed for children to play and explore. The displays are arranged across different rooms that once formed part of the Salvation Army hall. The digital photo gallery shows how children’s lives changed during the 20th century. The building’s layout guides visitors through toys, games and everyday objects from past generations.