Lekoseum
Toy museum in the old BRIO house in Osby, with BRIO history, play rooms, Barbie, Märklin, Steiff, Alga and a mineral and fossil collection.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Lekoseum in Osby was founded in 1984 by the toy manufacturer BRIO and for a long time showed the company's own history. BRIO was started in 1884 by Ivar Bengtsson and became one of Sweden's best-known brands of wooden and educational toys during the 20th century. Osby therefore has a special place in Swedish toy history, and it was from here that the Barbie doll came to Sweden in 1963.
Since summer 2014 the museum has been run by Stiftelsen Lekoseum (Lekoseum Foundation), formed by BRIO AB, Osby Municipality, Brioveteranernas fond (BRIO Veterans' Fund) and the Ivarsson family. The mission is to preserve children's play and toy history for people of all ages. Since 2024 the museum, the toy shop and the archive have been gathered in the old BRIO house at Briogatan 1, only a few steps from Osby railway station.
On about 2,000 square metres, the development of BRIO since 1884 is shown, along with toys made locally by subcontractors and in the company's own factories in Osby and Killeberg. The exhibition has many play rooms where visitors can try wooden trains, electric Märklin trains, labyrinth games and Alga games, and where the history of Barbie from the 1960s to the present is told. The museum also has a larger collection of minerals and fossils.
Highlights
- BRIO's history since 1884 and play rooms with wooden trains
- Barbie exhibition from the 1960s to the present
- Märklin model trains and Steiff teddy bears
- Labyrinth game and Alga games
- Mineral and fossil collection, shown at 14:00 on every opening day
Permanent exhibitions
- BRIO och BRIOs historia – The exhibition shows BRIO's toys and products and tells of the company's development in Osby since 1884, with play rooms to try.
- Barbie – Barbie's history from the 1960s to the present, with dolls and doll's houses.
- Mineral- och fossilsamling – Large collection of minerals and fossils, shown to visitors at 14:00 on every opening day.
- Founded
- 1984
- Operated by
- Stiftelsen Lekoseum
Admission & discounts
| Adults | SEK 145 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | SEK 125Seniors and students |
| Children & teens | SEK 125free up to age 1 · Children aged 2–17 pay SEK 125. Children aged 0–24 months have free admission. |
| Seniors | SEK 125 |
| Students & apprentices | SEK 125 |
| Groups (10+ people) | SEK 120 per personPrivate guided tour for groups of 10–30 people (about 45 minutes): adults SEK 120 per person, schools, children and seniors SEK 100 per person. Companions, teachers and guides enter free of charge. The tour must be booked at least seven days in advance by e-mail. |
| Families | SEK 500Two adults and up to three children. |
| Mineral and fossil collection (14:00, no advance registration) | SEK 50Price per person. |
| Annual pass, adult (18+ years) | SEK 350Valid for 12 months from the first visit and personal. |
| Annual pass, child (2–17 years) | SEK 300 |
| Annual pass, senior/student | SEK 300 |
| Annual pass, family (2 adults and up to 3 children) | SEK 1,100 |
The museum is cashless and accepts most cards as well as Swish. Tickets are bought at the till at Briogatan 1; annual passes can also be bought online. The annual pass gives 10% off regular purchases in the toy shop.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- 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
Large open spaces, and all play rooms can be visited by wheelchair. The toilet is adapted for wheelchairs, rollators and other aids. There is a disabled parking space just outside the entrance.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 1 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | SEK 500 · Two adults and up to three children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Playground / play area
Play rooms with, among other things, wooden trains and model trains; a digital treasure hunt for children from 6 years of age; and activities with a Halloween theme during the autumn break (included in the ticket). Unattended pushchair parking is just outside the entrance, and there are a few places by the cloakroom.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Osby station · 50 m
Öresund trains and Pågatåg regional trains stop at Osby station.
By car
Free parking
Free parking spaces on the other side of the street and in front of the school. If these are full, you can park on the street for up to two hours free with a parking disc from the entrance.
- Accessible parking
By car on road 15: follow the signs to BRIO Lekoseum.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
- Coat check
No food service, but coffee, tea, drinks and ice cream are sold at reception. Visitors may eat their own packed food in designated places in the museum, and in summer there is an outdoor seating area. Toy shop with the same opening hours as the museum (entrance via the courtyard).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 30 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | During the low season (23 September–11 December) open guided tours are held Wednesday–Friday at 11:00 and 14:30 in Swedish and/or English. They are included in the ticket and last about 30 minutes. The number of occasions may change, so ask at reception. Groups and school classes book a private tour. Children under 12 may be in the premises only in the company of a guardian (målsman). The app #Useeum offers a digital treasure hunt (Museimysteriet) for children from 6 years of age, in Swedish, English, German and Danish. |
