The State Toy Museum was founded in 2005. Subordinate to the Ministry of Education and Science, Youth and Sports of Ukraine. The idea of creating a museum arose in 1933, when, in accordance with the Resolution of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks of August 26, 1933 No. 202 “On the production of children’s toys,” the creation of toy museums was initiated in Moscow, Tiflis, Tashkent and Kharkov. In pursuance of the Decree of the Government of the Ukrainian SSR, a permanent exhibition of toys was opened in Kyiv in 1936, which gave rise to a unique collection and the basis of the funds of the future toy museum. The source of replenishment of the museum collections were standard samples of Ukrainian-made toys, approved by the Toy Committee of the Ministry of Education of Ukraine. Over the course of more than 80 years, a collection of toys amounting to more than 15,000 pieces was collected, which clearly illustrates the history of Ukrainian toy production on an area of 170 square meters. In addition to industrial designs, the museum’s collections contain unique original works and an extremely colorful collection of Ukrainian folk toys. The pearls of the museum’s collections and exhibition are considered to be a 19th-century doll and an African baby doll from the family of academician Alexander Bogomolets, a Christmas tree made of chicken feathers by Sofia Zima, a working model of a steam engine, a transformer “From Horse to Tractor” (1940s), a pioneer railway (1954) year).
The museum staff includes teaching staff (methodologists), who are also tour guides (lecturers), specialists in the field of museums, scientists (art historians, teachers, psychologists). Over the years of the establishment’s existence, many different exhibitions have been organized. The Interdepartmental Artistic and Technical Council on Toys and Educational and Visual Game Aids operates on the basis of the museum, which ensures the psychological and pedagogical examination of new toy samples in the process of their introduction into mass production and approval of standard samples.
Every year the museum receives about 20 thousand visitors. These are mainly pupils and students, as well as their parents and grandparents. The museum plans to organize competitions for the creation of toys, craft schools, conduct seminars and conferences for scientists and practical teachers, parents, as well as create a playroom for children.
Where is the State Toy Museum?
Klovsky descent, 8
044 253-54-00
Tue-Fri 10:00 – 18:00
Sat 10:00 – 17:00
Sun-Mon closed