German Toy Museum.

The German Toy Museum is Gayangi von Heimendahl’s personal collection of toys – dolls, cars, train sets, you name it – from Germany, over the span of 35 years. The collection is circa 1800-1900s.

The museum is down Havelock Road opposite Crusty’s, inside a large house that declares GERMAN TOY MUSEUM on a faded billboard. You have to pull a dubious looking string at the gate to ring the bell. These days you’ll probably meet Wijewardena there, a sprightly mustached man who’ll show you up the museum stairs. Before climbing a second flight of stairs to the museum, you’ll be met by the smiling clown in the picture above. I told Wijewardena this place must be scary at nights – he concurred. The ticket for viewing is Rs. 100.

The collection is amazing. While you walk around taking a look, an audio clip is switched on that tells visitors about the toys and some of the stories behind them. The dolls are stylized very differently from the ones we’re used to – they seem almost real.

A lady butcher in her shop

Interestingly, many of the toy sets here display real scenes – from butcher shops, flower shops, grocery stores, and so on.

Most of the toys are miniature but there are also large dolls like the ones above.

Vintage cars
The Powerpuff Girls’ hotline? What are the Powerpuff Girls doing at the German Toy Museum? The plot thickens!
A bear playing a piano
Stuffed animals that stare into your very soul
A flower shop
We’ve all wanted one of these

 

 

An elaborately detailed living room

A jigsaw puzzle made out of stone blocks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The German Toy Museum is an extremely fascinating visit. Some of the toys are eerie, because we’ve watched Chucky, and one wonders if the toys get lonely sitting in their glass cases without anybody to play with them (actually I think that’s just me) – while the detail in the toys and the variety within the museum is just plain amazing. The trip will be a treat for children, but even better for adults because some of the finer nuances of this vast collection will be lost on kids.

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Culinary Adventure at Long Feng by Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo : The Chinese Food Festival 2025

If you’ve never journeyed to China, a  grand opportunity to immerse yourself in its true

Kamu

Cheers Pub at Cinnamon Grand Colombo: The Ultimate Spot for Great Vibes, Delicious Food, and Fun

By Sharon Nonis Looking for a place that blends great food, refreshing drinks, live music,

Highlights Kamu

Across Borders: A Culinary Bridge Between India and Sri Lanka Through Peshawri’s Timeless Flavors

By Vimasha Vishvadari Peshawri, a renowned restaurant chain, originated from the iconic Bukhara restaurant in

Highlights Kamu

Tenkū – a hidden Gem of the Japanese Cuisine

By Vimasha Weerawansha Ambience  The Kingsbury Rooftop offers a breathtaking panorama of the cityscape and

Highlights Kamu

Discovering Kamikura: A Journey into Authentic Japanese Cuisine

dBy Sharon Nonis Welcome to Kamikura, where the essence of Japanese cuisine meets the heart

Kamu

Full’R Burgers is Flipping into Maharagama

by Vimasha Vishvadari If you're on the lookout for the ideal burger spot in the

Kamu

Trending.

A Night to Remember at Excel World’s Indian Food Festival

Excel World came alive on the evening of January 11th with the grand opening of

Highlights Trending

Dine as Much as Your Heart Desires this Chinese New Year at The Kingsbury’s Yue Chuan

Celebrate the vibrant traditions of the Chinese New Year with a culinary experience like no

Trending

A Glittering Start to 2025: Sheraton Kosgoda’s Spectacular NYE Gala

Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort welcomed the new year in grand style with its highly

Trending

MSI Unveils New Laptop Lineup Featuring NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series at CES 2025

Experience the Extreme Performance of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Across 5 Different MSI Laptop

Trending

Graze Kitchen Presents “Timeless Taste of India” – An Exquisite Indian Culinary Showcase

Hilton Colombo's renowned Graze Kitchen invites guests to indulge in India's vibrant and diverse flavors

Trending

Mount Lavinia Hotel Marks “220 Years of Love” with Wedding Offers and NTB Amex Partnership

Mount Lavinia Hotel, Sri Lanka’s most iconic destination for romance, hosted an interactive briefing on

Trending

Yamu Guide.

New Year’s Eve at The Kingsbury Colombo

Embrace the wonder of Christmas with a world of joy and togetherness this New Year’s

Trending Yamu Guide

Tea, Treats, and Tidings: The Christmas Menu of t-Lounge by Dilmah

By Vimasha Weerawansha t-Lounge by Dilmah is a sophisticated tea experience that blends tradition with

Highlights Yamu Guide

Festive Feasts: Top Christmas Buffets of 2024

By Fathima Rukaiya Looking for the perfect spot to indulge in a festive Christmas buffet?

Highlights Yamu Guide

9 Unisex Gift Ideas for Your Friends

Written by Fathima Rukaiya, Finding the perfect gift for your friends can be a delightful

Highlights Trending Yamu Guide

9 Must-Read Self-Help Books for Personal Growth

By Jordain De Mel In recent years, people have turned to self-help books to serve

Highlights Yamu Guide