Toys are one of the few collectibles that you can begin at a young. Most of the toys that we grew up with are hard to find or are no longer available for purchase. Some toys though are so unique and valuable that they’re in one of the world’s largest toy museums in the world.
Museums are a great place to explore art, culture, and history. While museums about toys might seem odd, it’s a spot you might want to add to your bucket list. But before you make the journey, where is the world’s largest toy museum, and what should you know before going?
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Where Is the World’s Largest Toy Museum
When you think of the world’s largest museums, you might think of the Louvre in France or maybe the Smithsonian Institution. Interestingly enough, the world’s largest toy museum is in the Midwest, in a state that is often overlooked: Missouri. From Silver Dollar City to the Titanic Museum, Branson is renowned for many attractions, but the world’s largest toy museum might be an odd one.
How Much to Get In?
Buy your tickets ahead of time so you’re prepared. Tickets for the world’s largest toy museum in the world are:
- Ages 13+ are $24.89
- Ages 6-12 are $15.82
- Ages 0-5 are free to enter
If you have 2 adults and 2 children in your group, you can purchase a family pass family pass for $73.68, which includes tax. If you don’t do the package, your price would come out to $81.42 without tax, which is about $20 more than the package.
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Hours of Operation
Plan your trip to the world’s largest toy museum by knowing when they’re open. Their normal hours are from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. But during the winter, from January and February, they close an hour early, from 10 am to 5 pm. Sundays they’re closed, and they’re also closed on Christmas Day.
What to Expect in the World’s Largest Toy Museum
You can explore the complex at your own pace by performing self-guided tours through the world’s largest toy museum. You’ll be allotted 2 hours to walk through the complex, but with a daily pass that you purchase, you can come and go as much as you please.
The museum has over a million toys, ranging from the 1800s to the present. The complex sits over 26,000 square feet of toys, antiques, and memorabilia. The building has two separate sections as well as gift shops. They also have interactive play areas for the kids, or adults, to enjoy. Some of the interactive spots include famed Hot Wheels, Lincoln Logs, Checkers, and even various coin-operated rides you would often see outside of stores.
Toys You Can Find
Apart from the interactive toys that you can play with, what other toy brands might you see in the world’s largest toy museum in the world?
From farm toys to trains, Disney to Star Wars, there are several brands. They have over 900 Barbies and even dollhouses, G.I. Joe action figures to Pez dispensers. The range varies from cast iron toys from decades ago to soft and plush stuffed animals. The real question is what toys don’t they have?
Can You Buy Toys?
The museum prides itself on creating a nostalgic experience, throwing you back into your childhood. The gift shop is stocked with toys that you can bring home with you. They have some hard-to-find collectibles as well, so it’s not just for a nostalgic trip, but also to try and complete some collections.
What Else Is There Around the World’s Largest Toy Museum?
The Branson Museum consists of 6 total museums. If you want to enjoy all of them, then you can check out the National BB Museum which has over 500 vintage BB guns, the Harold Bell Wright Museum to learn more about the writer, World of Checkers Museum with all sorts of checker memorabilia and boards, Stearns Bear Museum to explore the world of vintage teddy bears, and the Paul Harvey Jr. Museum to take a glimpse into his childhood.
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Conclusion
Museums explore history through art, artifacts, memorabilia, and words. While some might be interested in art and history, collectors might want to explore toys. From the materials that have been used to craft said toy, like metal, wood, or even cotton, to the art styles that have progressed over the years.
Even the influence of media, like shows and movies, has influenced the adaptation of toys through the decades. If that kind of history interests you more than world history, then heading over to Missouri to see the world’s largest toy museum in the world might be a great trip for you.
