Discover toys and memorabilia both old and new at this museum that hits the core of what it means to be a kid (or a kid at heart).

Prepare for a wave of nostalgia to hit when you walk in the door of the NZ Museum of Toys and Collectibles. It’s an absolute treasure trove of imagination, with displays including LEGO sets, sports and movie memorabilia, Hot Wheels, Barbie, die-cast cars, a working model railway, tin toys, and even a Horror Alley for those who dare.

There are over 40,000 toys here, dating from the 1970s to now. You’ll find antique toys to delight Grandma and Grandpa, displays of rare items to impress the most avid of collectors, and the very latest in toy design to make even the most discerning modern child go starry-eyed. The space is designed with the whole family in mind: there’s a playroom for children and seating for tired parents, and it’s also wheelchair friendly. Visitors can complete fun activities such as tracking down all the escaped Roman LEGO soldiers hiding in other displays around the museum.

Also known as The Toy Collector, Alan Preston’s extensive toy collection has been a labour of love for many years, with the support of his partner Ruth. As a child, Alan eagerly awaited the arrival of Matchbox car shipments to his local Dunedin toy store, dragging the whole family in to buy as many as he was allowed. He also developed an interest in painting model soldiers through a friend, and his collection of toys continued to grow.

Many years later, after his daughter introduced him to Sylvanian Families, the Littlest Pet Shop, and collectibles from franchises like Harry Potter and Marvel, Alan realised that toys could touch people’s hearts and invoke joyful nostalgia, even in children. Opening the NZ Museum of Toys and Collectibles was a dream come true, a chance to invite the public to share in these happy memories.

Alan now makes more deliberate acquisitions for the museum, always aiming to have a broad range of toys for all ages. The museum also regularly features loan collections, so there’s always something new to discover.

The NZ Museum of Toys & Collectibles is open seven days, from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.