nijntje museum
Interactive museum for children aged 2 to 6 in Utrecht's Museumkwartier with play worlds based on Nijntje (Miffy) and Dick Bruna.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The house on Agnietenstraat in Utrecht opened on 18 February 2006 in the presence of the author as the "Dick Bruna Huis" and showed more than 1,200 works by the illustrator Dick Bruna, including the Nijntje books, early book covers, posters and commissioned works for organisations such as Amnesty International and the Red Cross.
On 6 July 2015 the museum closed for renovation and reopened on 6 February 2016 as the "nijntje museum". Since then it has been aimed primarily at toddlers and pre-schoolers: all play elements are tailored to the size, weight, strength and abilities of children between 2 and 6 years old. On more than 1,500 square metres, visitors can walk through scenes from Bruna's picture books – such as Nijntje's house, Betje Big's shop, the town with its traffic rules, Farmer Jan's farm or the doctor's surgery. This is complemented by a 360-degree projection of the story "Boris en de paraplu" and a quiet reading corner with inclusive books.
The nijntje museum is part of the Stichting Centraal Museum; it was made possible thanks to contributions from the rights holder Mercis BV and the VriendenLoterij. The museum refers adults without children to the Dick Bruna Atelier in the Centraal Museum opposite, where the Bruna collection is on display.
Highlights
- Play worlds from Dick Bruna's picture books: Nijntje's house, Betje's shop, town and farm
- All elements tailored to children aged 2 to 6
- 360-degree projection of the story "Boris en de paraplu"
- Low-stimulus retreat cabins and regular low-stimulus mornings
- Museum café and shop with Nijntje books in several languages
Permanent exhibitions
- Die Welt im Kleinen – Scenes from Dick Bruna's picture books to walk into: Nijntje's house, Betje's shop and the doctor's surgery invite children to explore and play roles.
- Die Stadt – Children learn traffic rules through play, push a train, build a puppet theatre or dress up as a traffic officer.
- Der Bauernhof von Jan – Feeding animals, sweeping leaves, sorting tools or hanging up laundry: a play world around Farmer Jan's farm.
- Founded
- 2006
- Operated by
- Stichting Centraal Museum
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €14 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €10.50CJP and students |
| Children & teens | €14free up to age 1 · Children from 2 to 6 years €14; children from 7 to 17 years €10; free up to and including age 1. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · One companion for visitors with special needs enters free of charge; the time slot is booked via the free companion ticket. |
| Students & apprentices | €10.50 |
| Groups | –Group visits are limited; in the online shop a maximum of six tickets per booking is possible. |
Reserving a time slot is mandatory, even with a Museumkaart, VriendenLoterij VIP-Kaart or another discount card. Free: Museumkaart, VriendenLoterij VIP-Kaart, Vriendenpas, ICOM/AICA, Rembrandtkaart, U-pas/Nieuwegeinpas and the companion ticket.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
All rooms are accessible for pushchairs and standard wheelchairs; two lifts and ramps, two inclusive toilets and loan wheelchairs for adults (reserve in advance). Tactile materials, relief games, smell and touch boxes, Braille and sign language (NGT). Regular visits in Sign Language of the Netherlands and low-stimulus mornings; two low-stimulus cabins in the building. Staff are familiar with the Sunflower lanyard and Autipas.
Kids & families
Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 2+
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 1 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
The museum is designed especially for children aged 2 to 6; buggies may come in (parking space at the entrance). Child-sized sanitary facilities, a changing table in every toilet and a nursing corner with a bottle warmer. Family tours and story times in the programme; cloakroom with children's hooks.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Centraal Museum
From Utrecht Centraal station take bus 2 towards Museumkwartier to the Centraal Museum stop (almost at the door). Alternatively, take the train to Utrecht Vaartsche Rijn station and walk about 10 minutes.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
There is little parking in the area; the Vaartsche Rijn and Springweg car parks are about a 10-minute walk away. Park-and-ride facilities in Utrecht are an alternative.
Bicycle racks next to the entrance of the Centraal Museum and at Nicolaaskerkhof; e-bikes can be charged at the charging station to the right of the museum café entrance.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
nijntje museumcafé (Tuesday–Sunday 10 am–4:45 pm, for museum visitors only from the start of the booked time slot; including Nijntje pancakes and poké bowl, also gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan). Museum shop (Tuesday–Sunday 10 am–5 pm, also without a ticket). For hygiene and allergy reasons, eating is not permitted in the museum itself.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Visitors stay 2 to 2.5 hours on average. It is quieter on weekdays and in the afternoon. Groups should contact rondleidingen@centraalmuseum.nl. Programmes for childcare groups, school years 1 and 2 (75 minutes, Mondays, registration required), day-care centres and education students. The projection "Boris en de paraplu" runs all day on the second floor. |
