The museum
We all play! Explore Toy Museum Mechelen and learn all about games and toys!
Let the games begin
We're so happy that you're planning a visit! Do you love playing games? Do you want to find out more about them? Then, Toy Museum Mechelen is the right place! You'll learn about our local games, both new and old.
When you visit, you'll be off on a fun tour through four galleries. In each gallery, look for the answer to a question. What is playing? How do we play today and how did we play in the past? Why do we play? And who actually plays?
There is lots to look at. But that's not all. You can play too. In fact: you'll have to play if you want to complete your adventure.
Experience
In addition to carefully selected collection pieces, recognizable for all generations, you will also be able to experience the story thanks to countless gaming experiences.
- By the way, did you know that you are challenged in a game? Score points during your museum visit with your personal wristband!
- Did you know that our current display contains just a glimpse of our total collection? Behind the scenes, we manage an extensive depot, these pieces are occasionally featured through a temporary exhibition.
- Want to know more about collection items? Scan your band at a horizontal floor display and get extra information! This makes your visit not only fun, but also enriching.
A museum visit takes about 2 hours, but when you play, you quickly lose track of time.
Floor plan
Download the map of Speelgoedmuseum Mechelen (NL) or view it here:
The collection
Toy Museum Mechelen preserves a collection of games and toy heritage, which includes more than 30,000 objects, with toys from the Middle Ages to the present day that were and are played with in our country. Most of the collection dates from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Toy Museum Mechelen wants to map and collect both the material and the immaterial and digital witnesses of the Belgian playing culture (objects, stories, archive and visual material) in order to tell how people used to play in our country and how they are playing in our country in the past.
Online search
Are you curious about which pieces Toy Museum Mechelen has in its collection? Part of our collection is accessible on erfgoedinzicht.be. You can search online.
Donations
Due to the busy schedule of the newly opened museum, we are temporarily not accepting donations. So keep your valuable toys for a while longer.
Participate
By the way, do you like to play yourself? Then fill in our ‘Everyone Plays’ survey and help decide which playing heritage should be preserved by the Mechelen Toy Museum in the future.
Requesting loans
At the moment, we are unable to offer loans due to the relocation of our depot. As soon as this is possible again, you can read about it on our website!
Documentation centre and library
Toy Museum Mechelen has a documentation centre and library with a lot of information on games, such as reference books on player heritage or toy advertising leaflets. At the moment, on-site consultation is not possible due to the relocation of our depot. As soon as this is possible again, you can read about it on our website!
Collaboration for Heritage Day 2025?
Would you like to consult or borrow an item from our collection for Heritage Day 2025? Unfortunately, this is not possible at the moment due to the relocation of our depot.
However, Speelgoedmuseum Mechelen offers collaboration opportunities in communication, such as sponsorship in exchange for free tickets. Interested? Email communicatie@speelgoedmuseum.be.
