Spielzeugmuseum im Havelland

About the museum

The Toy Museum in the Havelland goes back to two Berlin collectors: Hans-Jürgen Thiedig and Claus-Peter Jörger gathered toys and nursery items from about 150 years over decades. Thiedig, who together with his wife had been working since the 1990s to restore the Kleßen manor ensemble, took the initiative to show the collections to the public. The sponsor is the nonprofit association Spielzeugmuseum im Havelland e.V.

The museum is housed in the former village school on Schulweg, a building from 1854 that followed an older sexton's and school house. After renovation in 2005 and 2006, the museum moved in. The building is part of the private Kleßen manor ensemble with manor house, manor garden, and orangery.

In seven rooms on two floors, examples of German toy production can be seen – from dolls, dollhouses, and toy shops through building sets and optical toys to tin toys from Brandenburg an der Havel, which was once considered a toy town. A special attraction is the operational Gauge 0 model railway layout, which volunteers demonstrate regularly. Since July 2020, a children's book museum with picture books and children's books from the Thiedig collection has added to the offering.

Highlights

• Operational Gauge 0 model railway layout with trains about 80 years old
• Tin toys from the "toy town" of Brandenburg an der Havel
• Dollhouses, toy shops, and building sets from two centuries
• Neighboring children's book museum with historic picture books
• Monthly model railway play days

Permanent exhibitions

• Spielzeug aus zwei Jahrhunderten – Seven rooms in the old village school with toys from German manufacturers – from the world of dolls and building sets to the working Gauge 0 railway.
• Kinderbuchmuseum im Havelland – Picture books and children's books from the Thiedig collection, from early textbooks and movable transformation books to picture books from East and West after 1945.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Spielzeugmuseum im Havelland e.V.

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• 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

The entrance and upper floor are not accessible; the restroom can be reached only via stairs. There are handrails on all stairs, sufficient seating in the building, and storage for strollers and walkers.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

At the regular play days, visitors may play along all day; on the monthly model railway play days, you can bring your own Gauge 0 trains and run them. Dates are listed under "Aktuelles" (News).

Getting there & parking

By car via the B 5 and B 188 or the Berlin–Hamburg autobahn, about one hour's drive from Berlin. Detours from the Havelland Cycle Route (from Senzke or Kriele) and the Tour Brandenburg (via Dickte or Stölln).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with toys and children's books based on historic models.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit