Museum of Childhood
City of Edinburgh Council · Edinburgh
A charming free museum on the Royal Mile dedicated entirely to the history of childhood — packed with vintage toys, games, and school memorabilia that delights adults as much as kids.
Why families love it
- Four floors of vintage toys, dolls, and games create a wonderful nostalgia trip for parents while genuinely captivating children with objects from childhoods past.
- The interactive dressing-up corner and period street scenes let children step into different eras, making history tangible rather than simply something to observe behind glass.
- Located directly on the Royal Mile, it offers a perfect free rainy-day refuge that's small enough to avoid overwhelming younger children during busy sightseeing days.
Best for
Families with preschool and primary-aged children who want a relaxed, free museum experience that balances education with genuine fun, particularly on wet Edinburgh days.
Good to know
The museum sits up several flights of stairs with no lift, so bring a baby carrier rather than relying on your pushchair. The top floor often feels quieter if the ground floor gets busy with tour groups from the Royal Mile. There's no café, but plenty of options nearby on the High Street, and the compact size means little ones rarely get museum fatigue here.
Practical info
- Age guidance
- Best suited for ages two to eleven, though the nostalgic toys genuinely engage parents too, and entry is free for all ages.
- Typical cost
- Completely free entry with no booking required, making it excellent value during an otherwise expensive Edinburgh trip.
- How long to allow
- Most families spend around forty-five minutes to an hour here, though you could easily pop in for twenty minutes between other Royal Mile activities.
- Last checked
- May 2026