Ankara Toy Museum is a cultural museum located in the capital of Türkiye, presenting toys from different periods with a thematic narrative. Founded in 1990 by Collector Şerafettin Yıldız, the museum has been serving in the Hamamönü District under the Altındağ Municipality since 2017. As one of Türkiye's first private toy museums, this institution aims to evoke nostalgia in adults and offer cultural memory to children.
Location and Architecture
The museum is located in a restored traditional Ankara house in the Hamamönü district, one of Ankara's historical settlement areas. The interior of the two-story building is divided into thematic halls; toys are arranged according to their periods, geographies, and types. The rooms are supported by display sections with showcases, information panels, wall panels, interactive screens, and special play areas for children.
Ankara Toy Museum (AA)
Collection and Thematic Sections
The Ankara Toy Museum's collection includes a wide range of toys spanning from the 1800s to the 2000s. A significant portion of the collection consists of Şerafettin Yıldız's private accumulation, built over more than 30 years. The collection contains approximately 3,000 different toys.
Main thematic areas
- Wooden Toys Hall: Hand-made toy cars, puppets, and animal figures are found.
- Metal Toys Gallery: Trains, war figures, and wind-up toys are found.
- Plastic Era: Mass-produced figures from after 1980 (Barbie, G.I. Joe, etc.) are found.
- Cultural Figures Area: Local characters like Nasreddin Hoca, Keloğlan are found.
- World Toys Section: Examples from countries like Germany, Japan, USA are found.
- Fabric Toys and Dolls Room: Traditional Anatolian rag dolls, plush toys are found.
Education and Visitor Experience
The museum offers educational activities for children, including school tours, thematic workshops, cartoon screenings, and traditional game teachings. Additionally, seminars and exhibitions themed "Generations Growing Up with Toys" are organized for adults.
Among the areas of most interest to visitors are the "nostalgia wall" and the "make your own toy" workshop. In the museum, adults as well as children embark on a journey back in time.
Ankara Toy Museum (AA)
Cultural and Societal Importance
Toys are not just play tools; they are also objects that reflect the production technology, pedagogical understanding, and cultural values of their respective periods. In this regard, the Ankara Toy Museum is an institution that contributes to the documentation of child folklore in Türkiye.
