#38 – National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
5235 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64112
Cost: $5 per person
Features: Interactive exhibits, antique toys from Kansas City, gift shop
Good for: Adults, older children.
The Museum of Toys and Miniatures is an unexpectedly interesting Kansas City activity. Despite the rooms and rooms of artifacts, the well-curated museum is never overwhelming. Its vast collection old toys, intricate miniatures and realistic dollhouses offers something appealing to everyone.
About the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures opened in 1982 as the Toy and Miniature Museum of Kansas City. The museum expanded over the years, growing their collection to over 72,000 objects. In 2015, the museum reopened as The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, boasting the world’s largest fine-scale miniature collection and one of the nation’s largest antique toy collections.
The museum has rooms and rooms of the most impressive miniatures. My favorites were the Architecture Classroom, the musical instruments and the Louis XV’s study.
I also loved that the Nation Museum of Toys and Miniatures featured many of Kansas City children’s old dollhouses and toys. Some of the dollhouses are even replicas of houses in prominent areas of KC.
There are some interesting interactive portions of the exhibits, which adds to the museum. There was a fun table-top puzzle game, some optical illusions and photo ops, but that’s it. I doubt young children would enjoy this museum, as it’s mostly looking – not playing with any of the toys.
What to Do Nearby
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures is in Central Kansas City near a handful of great attractions. After browsing the museum, check out the rest of the area.
- Explore the Country Club Plaza
- Visit the Plaza branch of the Kansas City Public Library
- Take a walk at Loose Park
- Stroll around Rockhurst’s campus
- Relax at the Kauffman Memorial Garden
- Check out art at the Nelson Atkins
Or, if you Museum of Toys and Miniatures made you nostalgic, take a ride on a Kansas City B-Cycle. xx, Libbie.
