The Museum of Childhood is a museum which houses a collection of children's toys and playthings, situated on the Royal Mile, in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was the first museum in the world to specialise in the history of childhood.^[1]

The collection, which ranges from the 18th to the 21st century, was originally the work of Patrick Murray (1908-1981), an Edinburgh Councillor and passionate collector of toys and childhood memorabilia.^[2] It first opened to the public in 1955 and moved to its present home on Edinburgh's royal mile in 1957 housed in what was formerly the Salvation Army's hall.^[3][4]

In 1986 the museum expanded into neighbouring properties to expand the floor and display space.^[4] Highlight items in the collection include a teddy bear brought to the UK by a child on the Kindertransport, a dollhouse with working lighting and plumbing systems and a Queen Anne doll from 1740.^[5]

In 2017 the museum underwent a major refurbishment including the installation of new display cabinets and lighting for exhibits. The refurbishment also saw the installation of a new digital photo gallery which offers a look at the changing way children grew up across the twentieth century.^[4][1] In 2017 it was estimated that the museum had around 225,000 visitors per year and it had around 60,000 objects in its collection.^[4]

The museum has a number of interactive spaces to encourage play amongst younger visitors.^[5] Admission to the museum is free and it is run and owned by City of Edinburgh Council.^[5]

The collection includes one of the Scottish Government's baby boxes as of 2018. This is a maternity package offered to all new parents in Scotland.^[6]

• Victorian butcher's shop, 1880s
• Funfair Galloper Horse, c.1902
• A pre-1914 battleship toy modelled on H.M.S. Dreadnought
• 'Meccano' construction set
• Child's metal spinning top from the 1950s

• Trinity Apse and Brass Rubbing Centre, Chalmers Close