I nonetheless have many toys from my childhood and they’re clearly very completely different than the toys that may be purchased at this time for youngsters. I’ve been to a toy Museum in my hometown Bucharest Romania and I had a visit down reminiscence lane with toys from Romania from completely different intervals of time.
When I began to analysis the locations to go to in Munich I had on my checklist the toy Museum however I wasn’t certain that we might have time to go to it.
After we noticed the 11 AM present of the Rathaus-Glockenspiel (clock) in Munich, visited the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus), and noticed the metropolis from above, from the tower right here, we began to stroll futher, towards the well-known church buildings in the space.
But our first cease was the Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum), a pleasant and nostalgic attraction in the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) at Marienplatz.
Even earlier than supplying you with extra particulars about the museum and telling you a couple of issues you might have to know earlier than visiting the Toy Museum in Munich, I’ll say this: when you’re a fan of classic toys, historical past, or just searching for a singular method to spend a while in Munich, this museum is a should-see. With its intensive assortment of toys that span greater than 200 years, the Toy Museum provides a captivating journey by way of the evolution of play.
And sure, it’s a nice attraction in Munich for you even if you’re not visiting with children. Because it’s a museum for all ages!
I’d say that the Toy Museum is a hidden gem in Munich that brings out the baby in everybody. In this text, I’ll cowl all the pieces you want to learn about visiting the Toy Museum, from its historical past and prime reveals to suggestions for making the most of your go to.
Munich Toy Museum: A Complete Visitor’s Guide to the Spielzeugmuseum
Where it’s Located + How to Get Inside + Useful Tips
I already talked about that the museum is in Marienplatz, one among the most well-known (really the most well-known) place in Munich.
The museum is inside one among the towers of the Old City Hall (Altes Rathaus). It may be very shut to the New Town Hall (lower than 1 minute stroll) and likewise lower than a minute from the subway exit (Marienplatz station).
As it’s situated inside a tower, the stairs are… spiral staircase! This might be difficult for some – however learn on as I’ll share with you ways a claustrophobic particular person (myself) was in a position to go to this and all the pieces was okay!
When we arrived at the entrance, my son went inside first, then I adopted him. I took a couple of steps and once I noticed the spiral staircase with no home windows I made a decision to return (after climbing a couple of steps.) As talked about, I’m claustrophobic. – From the image above, the museum is situated in the tower with the clock.
My son acquired again and I informed him that the museum has an fascinating assortment – I knew it as a result of I noticed some photos on-line – and I inspired him to go by himself. I informed him to go to the cashier’s and discover out whether or not he might pay with a card or if he wanted money.
He went again inside and got here again lower than a minute later and informed me that money was wanted but in addition that there have been just a few steps to climb till the cashier’s (he really counted them for me), And that after that the room is larger and there may be an elevator.
So I made a decision to leap. I acquired again inside, and as my son was counting down the stairs I spotted that I acquired to the cashier’s workplace in a couple of seconds.
And it was certainly a room with home windows, with mild, and with the elevator accessible.
There have been already toys exhibited on this room, some souvenirs and books that could possibly be purchased, and the woman at the entrance desk gave us the tickets but in addition a flyer with explanations for all the toys inside the museum.
She suggested us to go to the prime stage after which to go from flooring to flooring – every flooring has a room with many toys grouped by 12 months and by sort of toys.
What is There to See at the Toy Museum in Munich + Tips
Obviously toys. however not a single sort of toy or solely newer toys.
In reality, there are 4 flooring crammed with quite a few toys and a few of them are fairly spectacular or distinctive.
You’ll discover right here a group of teddy bears, Barbie dolls, and Ken dolls—together with the oldest Barbie doll with outfits from 1959.
Here are some images from the 4th flooring:
You may also discover tin toys – they’re fairly spectacular.
Oh, and don’t even let me begin to let you know about the trains – pictured under are just a few of the trains!
There are additionally robots – I cherished this choice!
The Munich Toy Museum can be residence to quite a few different toys comparable to carousels, dolls, Disney characters toys, and so on.
And some toys for boys – airplanes, troopers.
Here are some toys depicting on a regular basis jobs – musicians (and a carousel!)
Dolls and plates – units for taking part in.
There are toys associated to church and faith as effectively:
There can be a formidable assortment of wood toys and steam engines.
I’m together with many photos – however, belief me, these are just a few of the images I took AFTER admiring every bit right here.
One of the most spectacular units is that this – and I’m sharing with you the image of the complete ensemble, in addition to every room – as the particulars are staggering!
You can be taught new issues from the official website too. For occasion, I came upon that the title teddy (from teddy bear) comes from Theodore Roosevelt. In 1902, he refused to kill a small bear that was introduced in entrance of him – so the bear has been nicknamed Teddy – from Theodor.
Munich Toy Museum – visiting suggestions
I already talked about that it’s situated inside a tower and that the entry is by way of a spiral staircase, however it’s okay, not that lengthy, it really works for claustrophobic individuals too.
I’m including that there’s a good cool present at the entrance – powered by wind (largely) – don’t miss it – and search for! You will see what I’m speaking about (forgot to take an image, I solely have a video I can’t embody right here).
Look at every exhibit intimately – you may be shocked by what you’ll uncover.
As the explanations are each in German and English + you get that flyer, it is going to be simple to comply with the reveals inside the museum and to discover the particular toys.
If you might be claustrophobic, Take the elevator up to the final flooring, after which additionally from one flooring to one other – particularly if it isn’t crowded (after we went, we have been the solely ones per flooring, after we have been at the center of the museum, one other household got here to go to.
Ticket worth
The tickets are fairly low cost – 6 euros for an grownup ticket and a pair of euros for a kid ticket. There are additionally provides for households.
Another cause to go to this museum!
There can be a free audioguide for this museum!
As a particular tip: put apart the flyer – as it is going to be helpful when making an attempt to describe to others the toys. It may also provide you with an thought of what all the images you’ll take characterize 🙂
Opening Hours:
Daily: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (closed on Christmas days, New Year’s, and Shrove Tuesday) – examine the official web site for the program when you find yourself planning your go to right here.
The Toy Museum in Munich – History
The museum was created by Ivan Steiger. Born in Prague in 1939, he acquired to Germany – and in 1983 he opened the msueum.
He is much more than this museum’s creator – as he’s a prolific director and producer of documentaries, he additionally revealed 9,000 drawings 1972 to 2011 for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in Frankfurt. He is, as the official website of the museum mentions, a cartoonist, illustrator, painter, author, and director. Ivan Steiger lives in Germany since 1969.
Why I’m recommending you to go to Munich’s Toy Museum
When I created my itinerary for Munich, as talked about at the starting of this text, I wasn’t certain that we might go to this museum. I wasn’t certain we might have time or if we might be actually tempted to see it.
But after have visited I’m recommending you to spend not less than an hour right here – extra if in case you have the time and when you love toys.
The Munich Toy Museum provides a nostalgic and pleasant expertise for guests of all ages. From classic dolls and tin toys to mechanical marvels, the museum’s reveals spotlight the evolution of toys (and play) and showcase the creativity of toy makers all through the years.
Plus, there are toys from throughout the world!
Located in the coronary heart of Munich at Marienplatz, it’s a simple and rewarding cease for anybody exploring the metropolis.
Whether you’re wanting to relive childhood reminiscences, introduce your children to toys from the previous, or just find out about the historical past of toys, the Toy Museum is a should-go to attraction in Munich. Be certain to add it to your Munich journey itinerary, and luxuriate in a visit down reminiscence lane!
For us, it was an fascinating and wonderful expertise. I acquired to present my son a few of the toys that have been comparable to the ones I had. But we additionally found collectively previous toys and thus we realized how kids used to play again in the day.
It was a very nice expertise to put all of it in perspective: to take into consideration how it began, the first toys and to, possibly, take into consideration the toys which might be accessible proper now, to uncover what’s change by way of supplies, functionalities, know-how, and to see what was additionally saved. Yes, there are some varieties of toys that we will nonetheless discover at this time: wood toys, automobiles, robots – we nonetheless have them – and plenty of extra. Sometimes they’re comparable to the previous ones, and typically they’re so completely different, new, and modernized.
It was additionally fascinating to see how the faces of the dolls/individuals modified over time.
Go and examine this museum out. I’ve a sense you’ll prefer it!
