State Museum Of Toys, Kiev

The idea of having a museum of toys in Kiev originated in 1933, when the municipal authorities searched for a place in the city to house the collection of toys so popular in those days. In 1936, the first toy exhibition opened in Kiev, although, because of the strained political situation, caused by the looming World War II, the museum project had to be abandoned. Some of the toys were destroyed during the war and many of the country's toy factories ceased production until 1946. On November 16th, 2003, the Museum of Toys opened its doors to the public for the first time. It contains over 10,000 exhibits garnered throughout a 70 year period. Straw puppets, feather toys and figurines with the face of Stalin, Soviet tanks, teddy bears, celluloid figurines, clockwork animals and all sorts of dolls are put on display here.

The exhibits are arranged in three main halls. The first hall displays handmade dolls, inspired by Ukrainian fairytales; the second hall features Ukrainian traditional dolls, and the third one outlines the history of Ukrainian toy-making. The oldest toy on display is the doll created in 1930, and the most peculiar ones are the deer figurines made of cheese.