Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel

About the museum

The museum opened its doors in 1998, founded by patron Gigi Oeri, who built and owns the collection. Until March 1, 2012, it was called Basel Dollhouse Museum and was then renamed Toy Worlds Museum Basel because the collection far exceeds dollhouses. It is housed in a building from 1867 on Steinenvorstadt in the heart of car-free Basel's city center; its lovingly designed shop windows are well known far beyond the city.

Over 1,000 square meters and four floors, the house displays more than 6,000 objects, predominantly from the decades around 1900. These include over 2,500 teddy bears, among them the oldest Steiff model in the house from 1904, as well as dolls from all major manufacturers from the heyday of doll manufacture between 1870 and 1920, shops, dollhouses, carousels and a contemporary collection of miniatures depicting everyday scenes from around the world. The objects are carefully restored and arranged in faithful, flowing themed worlds.

Several times a year, changing special exhibitions complement the permanent exhibition, such as on teddy bears or at Christmas. An animated story tour with tablet brings dollhouses, bears and shops to life in augmented reality. On the ground floor, a shop and Ristorante La Sosta are part of the house.

Highlights

• Over 2,500 teddy bears, including the oldest Steiff model from 1904
• Dolls, dollhouses and shops from around 1900
• Contemporary miniatures with everyday scenes from around the world
• Animated story tour with tablet in four languages (augmented reality)
• Famous, lovingly designed shop windows on Steinenvorstadt
• Ristorante La Sosta and shop accessible without museum ticket

Permanent exhibition

• Sammlung: Teddybären, Puppen, Puppenhäuser, Kaufmannsläden – Over 6,000 objects on four floors, predominantly from around 1900, from Steiff teddy bears to carousels and miniatures.

Founded

1998

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

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

Museum, restaurant and shop are wheelchair accessible (from reception to shop on request with portable ramp); lift to upper floors (door width 79.8 cm), wheelchair-accessible toilet on 1st floor, interactive information systems lower to seating height. Museum offers page in simple language.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Children and young people up to 16 years free admission, children up to 12 years must be supervised. Tablet story tour has its own children's track; at individual stations a button press sets play worlds in motion.

Getting there & parking

Arrival by disabled transport of both Basels (+41 61 666 66 66) possible by advance notice.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Ristorante La Sosta on ground floor (warm kitchen until 3 p.m., first Sunday of month breakfast 10–3 p.m.; phone +41 61 225 95 59) and museum shop, both accessible without admission.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit