Spielmuseum Soltau

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Collector Hannelore Ernst made her steadily growing toy collection accessible to the public in 1984; in 1988 the museum moved into a listed building on Soltau's Poststraße. An expansion in 1999 increased the exhibition space from around 200 to about 600 m² on three floors. Today the museum is run by the Stiftung Spiel (foundation) and is considered a major visitor attraction in downtown Soltau.

The collection spans from the mid-17th century to the present, focusing on Central European toys from the period between 1750 and 1900, when German manufacturers dominated the world market. Its showpiece is "Dingley Hall", a three-meter-wide 19th-century English dollhouse with 15 rooms, dozens of dolls and well over a thousand furnishings, acquired at auction at Christie's in London. There are also the complete, intact toy collection of an Upper Palatinate noble family, dolls ranging from small wooden figures to celluloid dolls, dollhouses and toy shops, Steiff display pieces, paper toys and wooden toys from the Ore Mountains.

The hands-on concept is a defining feature: in almost every room, listening stations, a peep box, dress-up dolls and play stations invite visitors to try things out, and two verandas feature a toy shop and a reading corner. The second floor is devoted to dolls, the attic floor to the history of technology and media, from the steam engine to the magic lantern. The museum also shows special exhibitions in the neighboring felt museum felto and together with the Museum Soltau.

Highlights

• English dollhouse "Dingley Hall" (19th century) with 15 rooms
• Toys of an Upper Palatinate noble family (1700–1840)
• Steiff display pieces and caricature figures from around 1910
• Steam engines, trains and magic lanterns on the attic floor
• Listening and hands-on stations in almost every room

Permanent exhibitions

• Spielzeugsammlung auf drei Etagen – First floor with "Dingley Hall" and wooden toys, second floor with dolls and dollhouses, attic floor with technical and media toys – with play stations throughout.

Founded

1984

Operated by

Stiftung Spiel

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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

An elevator tower normally provides access to the historic building from the first floor up to the attic floor; however, the elevator in the main building is currently out of order, and the upper floors can only be reached via steep stairs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Explicitly designed as a place for the whole family: hands-on stations in almost every room, a toy grocery store and reading nook on the verandas, listening stations. Children's birthday parties (90 min.) with a tour and craft activity, registration at 05191 82182.

Getting there & parking

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

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit