Explore our museum
Toy Museum Deventer has the largest public toy collection in the Netherlands. The most spectacular pieces are displayed in two characterful merchant houses from Hanseatic times. You will discover that toys are not just entertaining, but also tell us a lot about ourselves.
Enjoy our museum!
‘The essence of toys is fun, imagination, and imitation’
Antonia Fraser, author
Highlight
Clown artist, 1897, Vielmetter
A definite prized possession in the Toy Museum’s collection is the 1897 tin Clown Artist by Phillip Vielmetter from Germany. It is the only automaton in our collection. Turning the mechanism allows the clown to draw historical figures such as Napoleon. There is an interchangeable disc in the base for a variation of drawings.
Practical information
The Toy Museum Deventer warmly welcomes everyone. If you have any questions during your visit, please speak to one of our team members who will be more than happy to help.
Admission prices
| Adults | € 7,50 |
| Young people 4 – 18 years of age | € 4,00 |
| Children 0 – 3 years of age | Free |
| Museum Card | Free |
| Rembrandt Card | Free |
| ICOM card | Free |
| Cultural Youth Card and Student card | € 6,00 |
| Group of 10+ people (price per person) | € 6,00 |
| Combi-ticket with Museum De Waag | € 12,00 |
Openingtimes
Toy Museum Deventer is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 11:00 AM and 17:00 PM.
Please note: Due to our staff party, the Toy Museum will close on Thursday 21 September at 2:00 PM.
Public holidays
The museum is open from 11:00 AM. to 17:00 PM. on the following public holidays: Dutch Liberation Day, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Pentecost Monday, and Boxing Day.
The museum is closed on Easter Sunday, King’s Day, Pentecost Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The museum closes at 16:00 PM on 5, 24 and 31 December.
Address & Contact
The Toy Museum is located in the heart of the magnificent Hanseatic city of Deventer.
Toy Museum Deventer
Brink 47
7411 BV Deventer
If you have any questions or comments, please send us an e-mail at
info@deventerverhaal.nlFrequently asked questions
Is my baby or toddler welcome?
The exhibition and activities are mostly aimed at children from around 5 years old. But younger guests are welcome too! The museum has a baby changing room and a bottle warmer. However, please bear in mind that the upper floors are reached via stairs, so these are not accessible for prams or pushchairs. We recommend you bring a baby carrier to get around the museum.
How long will a visit to the museum take?
The museum has 450 m2 of exhibition space, divided over 9 rooms. There are things to see and do in every room. If you want to experience everything and play to your heart’s content, you should expect your visit to last about 90 minutes.
Can I organise a child’s birthday party at the museum?
Due to limited space, we cannot accommodate a party with presents and treats, but a group visit is certainly possible. Please call or e-mail us beforehand if you are visiting with a group of more than 10 people.
Accessibility
The ground floor is suitable for wheelchairs. Because of the many different levels, it is not possible to make the upper floors accessible for wheelchairs. Visitors with mobility issues will receive a 50% discount for a visit to the Wonderkamer on the ground floor. Please note that only registered assistance dogs are allowed.
Is there a cafe in the museum?
There is no cafe in the museum. We do have a vending machine with hot drinks for reasonably priced coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Cold cans of fizzy drinks and cartons of juice are also available. There is some seating in the reception area where you can consume food and drinks brought from home. NB: it is not permitted to bring alcohol, ice cream, or hot snacks. No food or drink is allowed inside the exhibition.
Are there any costs apart from the admission costs?
The use of lockers, toilets, the audio tour and family tour, and the activities are included in the admission ticket. Additional costs only apply to activities that require booking in advance (such as a lecture or a private tour). You will be clearly informed of these costs beforehand.
Am I allowed to take photos?
Yes, photos are allowed. You are not allowed to use flash photography or a tripod/stand. Please be mindful of the privacy of other visitors and our staff.
Reachability
By train
Deventer central station main exit. Cross the footbridge and walk straight ahead onto the Keizerstraat. Go left at the end of the street, onto the Brink and towards the detached weigh house that houses Museum De Waag. Continue, keeping the weigh house to your right. You will find the Toy Museum Deventer after approximately 150 metres, on the corner of the Boterstraat.
By car
From the A1, follow the signs for the centre. Take the Deventerweg, the Zutphenseweg and the Pothoofd to the Brink. This will lead you into the centre along the IJssel. Follow the signs for De Brink parking garage (underneath the Wilhelminabrug – Wilhelmina bridge). Toy Museum Deventer is a 100-metre walk from here.
Parking
For parking possibilities, please visit www.deventer.nl/parkeren
Museum Card
Are the Museumkaart and the Bankgiroloterij VIP tickets valid for admission?
The Museumkaart gives you free admission. You can order the card online or purchase it from our front desk. The Vriendenloterij VIP ticket is only valid at cultural institutions that receive financial support from the lottery. This not the case for the Toy Museum.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have any further questions about your museum visit? We have tried to answer these questions for you below.
Is the museum interesting for adults too?
There is something here for all ages. Adults will love having a look around, reliving old memories, and learning new things. Anyone can play if they want to… After all, we are the most playful museum in the Netherlands. We have a free Dutch, English or German spoken audio tour with in-depth information available. And we are located in a listed monument that is hundreds of years old. Everything is a feast for the eyes!
What is there to do for children?
Children can use more than just their eyes. There is always something going on. Highlights are the objects theatre, the play loft and the workspace. There is also a Brinkie tour (Dutch spoken) with questions and small challenges on the way through the museum. The tour is free from the front desk.
I want to donate toys. Should I bring it with me or post it to you?
Many generous people want to donate toys to us. However, storage and maintenance take up time, space and money. For this reason, we can only accept gifts like this very rarely. Our curator is in charge of making this decision, please contact him to discuss. Please do no bring toys to the museum. Our team is not allowed to accept toys.
E-mail UsIs the museum wheelchair accessible?
The ground floor is suitable for wheelchairs. Because of the many different levels, it is not possible to make the upper floors accessible for wheelchairs. Visitors with mobility issues will receive a 50% discount for a visit to the Wonderkamer on the ground floor, and there is also an in-depth Virtual Reality tour available.
Is there a cafe in the museum?
There is no cafe in the museum. We do have a vending machine with hot drinks for reasonably priced coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Bottles with fizzy drinks and cartons of juice are also available. There is some seating in the reception area where you can consume food and drinks brought from home. NB: it is not permitted to bring alcohol, ice cream, or hot snacks. No food or drink is allowed inside the exhibition.