Basel Toy Worlds Museum

The Toy Worlds Museum is housed in a nineteenth-century building and opened its doors in 1998. Today it is considered the largest toy museum of its kind in Europe, with more than 6,000 objects displayed across several floors. The museum was created thanks to Gigi Oeri, a collector from Basel who spent many years gathering teddy bears, dolls, miniature houses and objects linked to childhood. Rather than keeping these pieces in a private collection, she chose to create a museum open to the public. The most impressive part of the collection is the teddy bears, with more than 2,500 on display, making it the largest collection in the world. Some date back to the early twentieth century, including iconic Steiff bears. As you move through the rooms, you’ll also discover antique dolls, large and richly detailed dollhouses, and miniature shops that carefully recreate interiors and stores from the past. Even before stepping inside, the exterior display windows catch the eye. They are regularly renewed and have become part of the museum’s identity, offering a small preview of this world dedicated to childhood, play and the careful craftsmanship behind these objects.