German Toy Route

The Museum of the German Toy Industry in Neustadt near Coburg primarily sees itself as a technical museum that collects, scientifically evaluates and places objects from the overarching areas of industrial culture of dolls and toys (life and work, technology, products, economy, politics) in its social context. In this way, the Museum in Neustadt is taking a unique path throughout: “Toys are considered a bread business" here! The focus is on the preliminary and industrial developments of products, materials, techniques, professions and the equipment and machines required here over a period of approx. 250 years. An essential element is the living and working conditions of domestic producers and factory workers and the interdependencies between trade and politics.

Coburg Doll Museum: after renovating the entire house, the museum has experienced new highlights both visually and in terms of content, and our permanent exhibition is now completely new: The „Kindheit & amp; Familie" department talks about raising children through toys in the 19th century. The "Fascination Doll" section deals with materials and the variety of dolls from the porcelain doll to the turtle doll. Under the motto "Doll collecting“, special features such as tea dolls, miniature porcelain vending machines and artist groups are presented.

HERMANN toys in Coburg are already dedicated to the production of teddy bears and plush toys in the third generation. And with great success. Collectors around the world know the magical teddies from Coburg. With great inventiveness, the two siblings Dr. Ursula and Martin Hermann are constantly designing new teddies that recall important events or personalities - the White House Bear for the official launch of Barack Obama or the Wilhelm Tell Bear.

The Museum of the German Toy Industry in Neustadt bei Coburg sees itself primarily as a technical museum that collects, scientifically evaluates and stores objects from the overarching areas of industrial culture of dolls and toys (life and work, technology, products, economy, politics) provides its social context. The museum in Neustadt is consistently following a unique path: Here, “toys are considered a livelihood”! The focus is on the pre- and industrial developments of products, materials, techniques, job profiles and the equipment and machines required here over a period of approx. 250 years. The living and working conditions of home producers and factory workers and the interdependence of trade and politics are essential components.

Coburg Puppet Museum: after the renovation of the entire house, the museum has been given new accents, both visually and in terms of content, and our permanent exhibition is now presented in a completely new way: The "Childhood & Family" section tells of how children were raised by toys in the 19th century. The section “Fascination Dolls” deals with materials and the diversity of the doll world, from porcelain to turtle dolls. Under the motto “Collecting Dolls”, special features such as tea dolls, miniature porcelain vending machines and artist dolls are shown.

In the third generation, HERMANN-Spielwaren in Coburg is dedicated to the production of teddy bears and soft toys. And with great success. The magical teddies from Coburg are known to collectors all over the world. With great inventiveness, the two siblings Dr. Ursula and Martin Hermann always have new teddies that remind of important events or personalities - the White House Bear for the inauguration of Barack Obama or the one Wilhelm Tell Bear.

Look, be amazed, play - immerse yourself in a world of fantasy! 5,000 toys are waiting to be discovered in the German Toy Museum in Sonneberg. The oldest toy collection in Germany shows toys from the beginning to the present.

Before the tour, an introductory film provides compact information on the history of toy production in Sonneberg and the highlights of the collection (12 min, free of charge). The exhibition of rare and worth seeing exhibits in the historical museum building takes you on a journey through time through the cultural history of toys. In the modern extension of the museum, visitors can look forward to a parish fair of the 19th century: The famous world exhibition group “Thuringian Kirmes” with 67 figures, some of which are almost life-size, is a fascinating testimony to the great times of the Sonneberg toy industry.