MUKS – Museum Kultur & Spiel Riehen
Switzerland's first toy museum, housed in the former residence of Mayor Wettstein in Riehen, with interactive exhibitions on play and village history.
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About the museum
Today's MUKS is regarded as the first toy museum in Switzerland. It opened its doors in 1972 under the name “Spielzeugmuseum, Dorf- und Rebbaumuseum” (Toy, Village and Viticulture Museum). This was made possible because the then Swiss Museum of Folklore, now the Museum der Kulturen Basel, provided the collection of Hans Peter His as a long-term loan; parts of it can still be seen today. The Village and Viticulture Museum was founded at the same time.
About twenty years later the building was redesigned for the first time, and the exhibition space grew to roughly 900 square metres. In the following years the team developed many interactive special exhibitions and participatory projects, which made the museum increasingly well known. At the end of January 2020 it closed for about 16 months for conversion, renovation and a new concept.
The two interactive permanent exhibitions “Spiel” (Play) and “Dorf” (Village) date from this period: one looks at toys and playing, the other at Riehen's eventful history and present. At the same time the museum was given its new name, MUKS – Museum Kultur & Spiel Riehen, which emphasises everyday activity and participation. It is located in the listed former residence of the Basel mayor Johann Rudolf Wettstein; a tour with audio-play stations tells his story. Each year MUKS also presents a special exhibition on play and everyday culture.
Highlights
- Interactive permanent exhibition “Spiel” (Play) with toys from the past and present
- Permanent exhibition “Dorf” (Village) on the history of Riehen on the national border
- Audio-play tour about Mayor Johann Rudolf Wettstein
- Listed building with museum courtyard and garden
- Children's birthday parties and guided tours for children
Permanent exhibitions
- Spiel – The interactive exhibition leads through rooms on dreaming, living and cheating, and shows toys from the past with hands-on stations.
- Dorf – The exhibition tells the story of Riehen as a place on the national border, with voices of witnesses from the present and the past.
- Wettstein – A tour with eight audio-play stations in the former residence of the Basel mayor Johann Rudolf Wettstein.
- Founded
- 1972
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 14 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 12Senior citizens (AHV) and people with disabilities (IV) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Children and young people (up to age 16) free; children aged 12 and over may come without accompaniment |
| Seniors | CHF 12AHV (Swiss old-age pension) |
| Visitors with disabilities | CHF 12companion free · IV (Swiss disability insurance); companions of people with special needs free |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 10School pupils, apprentices, students |
| Groups | –School classes up to Year 12, day-care structures and nurseries free (with registration); group tour of about 60 minutes CHF 290 including admission (max. 20 people) |
| Families | –Discount of CHF 2 per admission with Familienpass |
| Children's birthday party (2 hours, flat rate) | CHF 350Maximum 12 children, including admission for one to two accompanying adults |
Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month
Reduced admission with BaselCard, Familienpass and KulturLegi. Free admission with Raiffeisen card, MPM museum pass, Swiss Museum Pass (VMS), colourkey and BKB leisure voucher. People in need of protection, asylum seekers, provisionally admitted persons (status F, N, S) and recognised refugees (permit B) enter free of charge.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- 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
Listed building: the entrance area, toilets and special exhibition room are wheelchair accessible; the other rooms are connected by several flights of stairs. Dogs are allowed only in the museum garden; assistance dogs are welcome throughout the museum.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly: not available
- Baby changing facilities
- Kids’ birthday parties
Interactive exhibitions, children's birthday parties for ages 5 or 8 and up (2 hours, CHF 350). Due to lack of space, strollers are only possible in the building to a limited extent; covered parking spaces in the courtyard, baby carriers at the reception. Changing table next to the toilets. Garden and courtyard for picnics.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Riehen Dorf
Tram 6 or bus 32 to “Riehen Dorf”; S-Bahn S6 to “Riehen”
By car
Parking available
“Zentrum” car park
Travel by public transport is recommended.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
Self-service kiosk with drinks, snacks and ice cream in the courtyard and museum garden; small museum shop with posters, games and gift ideas.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Indoor rooms and outdoor area can be hired for receptions, parties, readings, lectures and corporate meetings, on operating days from 6 pm to 10 pm; reception package for up to 50 people CHF 450 for two hours.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Private guided tours (about 60 minutes, max. 20 people) by registration at least four weeks in advance; school tours and workshops of 60 or 90 minutes. Audio-play tour with eight stations about J. R. Wettstein. |
