Canada at Play

Adult conceptions of childhood and the experiences of children have shifted over time. By collecting and studying children’s toys, games and playthings, we can better understand how children lived and played in the past.

What is a Canadian toy? The Canadian Museum of Civilization’s extensive toy collection includes toys designed and made in Canada. The collection also includes toys made elsewhere and brought to Canada for Canadian children to enjoy.

In the Playhouse, explore a vast range of Canadian-made and Canadian-played toys. In the Manufacturers’ section, find out more about the manufacturers and the breadth of the museum’s collection. Teachers can download curriculum-ready materials about the toy collection.

So, get out and play!

Bibliography Credits