Schweizer Kindermuseum

About the museum

The Swiss Children's Museum goes back to the collection of Sonja and Roger Kaysel, who from 1965 systematically gathered testimonies of the history of childhood. A support association was formed in 1983, and in 1985 the museum opened its doors in the Haus zum Schwert in Baden. In 1996 the Stiftung Schweizer Kindermuseum was added. Thanks to a donation, the museum was able to move in 2002 to a home of its own at Ländliweg 7, a villa from 1896 in the centre of Baden.

In around twenty rooms, the museum shows how childhood, play, education and school have changed over the last 300 years. The permanent exhibition "Discover the World of the Child" combines historic originals with play, listening and film stations; in addition there are a school museum, the world tour "Lueg id Wält" and the space exhibition "Rocket, Moon and Stars". Each year a special exhibition and a Christmas exhibition are added.

The museum is run by an association and a foundation; it receives support from the canton and the city of Baden. In addition to the exhibitions, the programme includes weekend activities with external specialists, storytelling hours, theatre in the park, holiday courses, and guided tours and workshops for school classes and adult groups. The museum is a label partner of "Kultur inklusiv".

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition "Discover the World of the Child" with toys, dolls and listening stations
• School museum with historic desks and experiment stations
• Space exhibition "Rocket, Moon and Stars"
• World tour "Lueg id Wält" and the pocket museum for children's own collections
• 1896 villa with weekend activities, fairy tales and theatre in the park

Permanent exhibitions

• Die Welt des Kindes entdecken – Permanent exhibition on childhood and toys through the ages with radio play, film and play stations as well as the school museum.
• Rakete, Mond und Sterne – Journey into space that combines scientific questions with observations from cultural history; on the 2nd upper floor since 2019.
• Lueg id Wält – Tour around the globe with traditional toys and crafts as well as children from five continents telling about their everyday lives.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Verein und Stiftung Schweizer Kindermuseum

Admission & discounts

Discounts with the Swiss Museum Pass and the Raiffeisen Museum Pass; KulturLegi Aargau 50%. For public guided tours, the Museum Pass, Raiffeisen card and annual pass do not apply (KulturLegi 50%). Special-needs school classes and adult groups from institutions for people with disabilities receive a 50% discount on the tour price.

Accessibility

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

Three of five floors are wheelchair accessible and reachable by lift (lift 109 × 123 cm, door width 80 cm, key at the ticket desk); wheelchair accessible are the permanent exhibition on the ground floor, the play room on the 1st basement level and the 1st floor with the school museum and "Lueg id Wält". Not wheelchair accessible are the cafeteria, the 2nd basement level and the 2nd floor ("Rocket, Moon and Stars"). Access via the rear entrance with a bell; advance notice by telephone at +41 56 222 14 44 required. Accessible toilet on the 1st basement level, one disabled parking space for a minibus. The museum is a label partner of "Kultur inklusiv".

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum is aimed at "children" between 5 and 95 years of age. In all rooms there are stations for trying out, touching, listening and playing; in addition a play room, model railway, children's library and mirror room. Weekend activities (October to April), fairy tales in the museum, theatre in the park in summer, holiday courses and children's birthday parties for children aged 7 and over. Own prams are not allowed; loan buggies are available.

Getting there & parking

From the direction of Zurich, motorway exit Baden/Neuenhof (because of a construction site, use the exit after the Bareggtunnel); from the direction of Bern/Basel, exit Baden-West.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available

Cafeteria in the building (not wheelchair accessible); drinks and snacks from vending machines.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Apéros following a guided tour on request; for children's birthday parties a decorated room can be rented (CHF 80).

Plan your visit