Deutsches Spielzeugmuseum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

In the 18th and 19th centuries Sonneberg became one of Europe's most important centers of toy production; around 1900 local merchants (Verleger) controlled a large share of the world toy trade. In 1901 teacher Paul Kuntze founded a display collection, initially called the Industrie- und Gewerbemuseum des Meininger Oberlandes (Museum of Industry and Trade of the Meiningen Uplands), which over time came to focus entirely on toys. Since 1938 the museum has occupied the building on Beethovenstraße, built in 1901 as a trade school.

Among its showpieces are display groups with which the Sonneberg industry promoted itself at world's fairs: “Gulliver in Liliput” from 1843/44 and the “Thüringer Kirmes”, which won a Grand Prix in Brussels in 1910. The collection includes Sonneberg wooden toys, figures made of bread dough and papier-mâché, dolls – including the “Sonneberger Täufling”, the first baby doll –, technical toys, GDR design, and toys from antiquity, East Asia and Africa.

The museum is run by the district of Sonneberg. Since 2012 it has been gradually renovated and expanded: in 2014 a new building opened, housing the “Thüringer Kirmes” with light and sound staging, the ticket desk, shop and service areas; in 2022 the second construction phase in the old building was completed. In the long term, an exhibition complex spanning three buildings with a visible storage area and a larger special exhibition space is planned. The permanent exhibition is self-explanatory and, with play islands, an audio guide and an introductory film, is especially geared toward families.

Highlights

• World's fair display group “Thüringer Kirmes” (1910) with 67 figures, staged every half hour
• Showpiece “Gulliver in Liliput” (1843/44)
• “Sonneberger Täufling” – the world's first baby doll (1850)
• “Dandanah” glass building set after Bruno Taut
• PIKO model railroad layout and burlap animals by Renate Müller
• Egyptian horse team from the 5th century BC

Permanent exhibitions

• Kulturgeschichte des deutschen Spielzeugs – Self-guided tour through the sections Merchants & Home Workers, Technical Toys and History of the Play Doll, complemented by play islands.
• Thüringer Kirmes – Award-winning world's fair display group from 1910 with 67 figures, some of them life-size, staged with light and sound in the new building.

Founded

1901

Operated by

Landkreis Sonneberg

Director

Christine Spiller

Admission & discounts

Discounts with the Thüringer Wald Card. Children's and school groups from the district of Sonneberg get free admission (they only pay a fee for the booked activity).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All public areas are accessible; an elevator connects all levels, with step-free access also from the Marienstraße parking lot. Two accessible parking spaces at Beethovenstraße 12, right next to the entrance. According to the house rules, animals are not permitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's audio guide and discovery sheet with a prize drawing; play islands and play areas designed by artists on several floors, a reading corner with hand puppets in the snack corner; open craft activities during the holidays, children's birthday parties. Baby changing table, nursing and changing corner, and stroller parking in the basement of the new building.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Museum shop at the ticket area; snack corner with beverage and snack vending machines. Coat check and free lockers in the basement of the new building.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit