Szórakaténusz Játékmúzeum és Műhely

About the museum

Szórakaténusz opened on 4 December 1981 in Kecskemét as a museum with a nationwide collecting remit, with a toy-making and craft workshop alongside it. It was given impetus by the International Year of the Child in 1979: Bánszky Pál, art historian and director of the Bács-Kiskun Megyei Múzeumi Szervezet (Bács-Kiskun County Museum Organisation), had earlier pushed for a collection that preserves and presents the toy culture of the Hungarian language area. Its name comes from the lines of an ancient counting-out rhyme.

The building, whose central space was inspired by the yurt of the Hungarians of the conquest period, was designed by Kerényi József, then chief architect of Kecskemét. It follows local traditions in its style and still stands in its original form. The institution’s name has changed several times over the decades: Szórakaténusz Játékműhely és Múzeum (1981), Szórakaténusz Játékmúzeum (1988), and since 1997 Szórakaténusz Játékmúzeum és Műhely.

For a long time it was a specialist museum of the Bács-Kiskun Megyei Múzeumi Szervezet, and since 2013 it has been a thematic museum of the Kecskeméti Katona József Múzeum. The permanent exhibition presents a cross-section of the collection gathered over four decades, and toy-making and craft sessions are still held in the workshop today.

Highlights

• Old toys and children’s books from the Bronze Age to the present
• Laterna Magica, Steiff teddy bear, Anker stone-building set, Lehmann tin cars
• Grabowieczky Leon’s wooden toys and Rodolfo’s magic props
• Folk toys from the peoples of the world
• Antanténusz Workshop: toy-making and craft sessions

Permanent exhibition

• „Antanténusz, szórakaténusz…” – a Játékmúzeum 40 éves gyűjteményének keresztmetszete – A journey through the toys of past ages: Laterna Magica, Steiff teddy bear, stone-building sets, tin cars, wooden toys, magic props and the toys of the world’s peoples, from the Bronze Age to the present.

Founded

1981

Operated by

Kecskeméti Katona József Múzeum

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On the last Saturday of every month, those under 26 and, accompanying a child under 18, up to two close relatives; on national holidays (15 March, 20 August, 23 October) everyone may enter free of charge

The discounts apply to Hungarian and EEA citizens upon presentation of a valid entitlement card. Student groups from Kecskemét enter free of charge. Local schools (Kecskemét, Hetényegyháza, Méntelek, Kadafalva, Katonatelep) can visit in groups free of charge when accompanied by a teacher.

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The Antanténusz Workshop holds toy-making and craft sessions once a month on a Saturday, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays every week during the summer holidays. Aprók Tánca usually offers folk games, songs and dances every two weeks on a Saturday from 15:30 to 17:00 during the school year; from time to time there is also a board game day.

Getting there & parking

By car, navigate to Hosszú utca 3.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit