Speelgoedmuseum Kinderwereld Roden

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1969 as the "Nederlands Museum Kinderwereld" foundation, following an appeal to the Dutch public to search their attics for old toys. It is housed in "Het Pietershuis", a listed building in Roden, in which the permanent exhibition was installed.

Today the museum holds around 15,200 objects and is regarded as the country's largest toy collection. It spans from about 1800 to the present and includes old magic sets from around 1880, rare Heubach dolls from 1912, model railways, dolls' houses and dolls' furniture, as well as toys by Dutch manufacturers such as Mobaco, OKWA, Nooitgedacht and ADO, but also Playmobil and Fisher-Price.

Two major donations form its foundation: the Roos-Enk collection of dolls, dolls' houses and accessories, handed over by the children of Mrs Roos-Enk (1912–1996), and the Van Hall-Sluyter bequest of antique toys and dolls. The museum also has an outdoor area with historic bicycles, Flying Dutchmen (pedal scooters) and spinning tops; the showpiece is a wooden carousel about a hundred years old, maintained by volunteers, which runs free of charge every hour. About 50 volunteers support the team; the museum is organised as a non-profit foundation (ANBI) and is a member of the museum association.

Highlights

• Around 15,200 toys from about 1800 to today, including the Roos-Enk collection
• Historic wooden carousel (around 1930) with a free ride every hour
• Outdoor play area with old bicycles, spinning tops and Flying Dutchmen
• Play floor, toy shop and craft room for children
• Museum café and shop with Ot-en-Sien souvenirs

Permanent exhibitions

• Vaste collectie – The permanent exhibition shows toys from about 1800 to today, from magic sets and Heubach dolls to model railways and dolls' houses; its core is the Roos-Enk collection and the Van Hall-Sluyter bequest.
• Buiten spelen – The outdoor area invites visitors to play with old bicycles, Flying Dutchmen and spinning tops; a carousel about a hundred years old runs free of charge every hour.

Founded

1969

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart; Friends of the museum have free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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

The museum is accessible to wheelchair users. Dogs are not allowed, except assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Children can play in the historic toy shop, at the skill game, on the play floor and in the craft room; outside there are old bicycles, spinning tops and a carousel with a free ride every hour. For children's birthday parties and school trips there is a treasure hunt through the museum; additional activities run during school holidays. Children under 13 only with an adult.

Getting there & parking

There is a charging station for e-bikes in front of the entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café with inexpensive snacks such as tosti, poffertjes, hot waffles and pancakes. The publicly accessible museum shop sells nostalgic and modern toys as well as Ot-en-Sien souvenirs; the building also houses a tourist information point (TIP) for Drenthe.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 70 guests.

The museum café (about 70 people) can be rented Tuesday to Saturday from 5 p.m. and all day Monday (except on public holidays) for company outings, meetings, club gatherings and presentations, at €150 per half day (4 hours), with projector and large screen; catering by arrangement.

Plan your visit