Discover This Hidden Gem – The Toy Museum in Valletta

Take a trip down memory line by visiting this unique Toy Museum in Valletta! Recollect all those beautiful childhood memories. Find the toys you used to play with as a child!

This is one of those small museums, the hidden gems, that can be easily missed. Valletta, as the European Capital of Culture 2018 has a lot to offer, especially this year! However I would like to endorse this privately owned museum.

This Toy Museum first opened its doors to the public 20 years ago! It is owned by Vincent Brown and the entire museum is basically a showcase of his private toy collection. He’s been a passionate toy collector for more than 30 years!

The toy that Mr Brown is holding in his hand is by far his favourite. It was gifted to him for his son, however he was never really allowed him to play with it, as it’s made from ceramic (china) so it’s very fragile and easy to break. It was made in 1930 and its mechanism is still fully functioning.

There is a wide range of toys on display spreading over three floors. Above you can see a small sample of model car collection from Italy, dating back to the early 1950s situated on the ground floor.

Below notice the metal toy of a girl offering / teasing a dog with a sausage. It is once again fully functioning mechanic toy made in Germany dating back to 1912! Isn’t it impressive how long these old toys lasted? The toys we buy these days hardly last a year! Never mind a century! 🙁

There are also couple of toys that have been donated to the museum. Just like Mrs. Penny has been given to Mr Brown to join his vast toy collection. If you have any old toys hiding at the back of your cupboard, which you don’t use and you don’t want to throw them away either donate them to the museum! Give them a second chance to shine! 🙂

Here we are at the lower level of the museum. I would say that this part of the Toy Museum will be more interesting for the guys than the ladies. But then again I loved it too! The robots below reminded me of my brother as he used to play with one just like these! The museum and all these toys do really bring back the beautiful childhood memories…

When you start making your way to the 1st floor (we’ve started on the ground floor, and just visited -1 floor), notice on your right a display with toys that are actually for sale! What a great idea for an original souvenir to take back home, don’t you think?

And if you like antique stuff or maybe decorating your house in vintage style, how about a set of glasses from the 1960s for 5eur each? They look just like my grandmother’s! Oh man, where are those days?! The worry free time spent at nanna’s?

All the train enthusiasts will love the 1st floor exhibition! I’m sure that some of you had a train like this at home when you were kids! Who did? Hands up! 🙂

And this is the oldest toy in this museum – Pinocchio from the 1883! 135 years old toy! That’s more or less two generations. Now, how cool is that?

And here is something for the ladies! Dolls, doll houses, tiny tea party sets or sewing machines that look just like real ones! Looking at these toys, it just amazes me with how much detail they were made! The craftsmen of those days didn’t have the tools we have nowadays and they did far better job! Wouldn’t you agree?

And we’re coming to the end of our visit to the Toy Museum in Valletta. I hope you liked this little teaser that would inspire you enough to visit this rare museum next time you are in Valletta. The entrance is only 3eur and you can spent as much time as you like. Mr Brown is also very pleasant to chat with and happy to share his life story with you! It’s always a pleasure to meet people like him. Especially for me I always like a little chat with the locals! 🙂

And here is the exact location of the Toy Museum. It is actually located just across the street from Casa Rocca Picolla, another great attraction to visit!