Mechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Toy Museum in Mechelen welcomed 70,000 visitors in its 1st year at the station, a 30% rise, with Alderman Sabe De Graef confirming 9,000 student visits.
As VRT News reported, the Toy Museum in Mechelen has completed its first year at the new station location. The museum welcomed about 70,000 visitors, which is an increase of 30% compared to previous years.
Director Niek De Meester said the move has proven successful after a year that was both busy and productive. He mentioned that the station location makes the museum easier to reach by train and bus. The relocation was not only about accessibility. It also gave the museum the chance to present its collection in a new way. Visitors are no longer limited to looking at toys in glass cases.
“Our ambition is to get every Mechelen child to visit the museum twice during their school career.”
Sabe De Graof (Vooruit), Alderman for Education
How did the Toy Museum in Mechelen attract 70,000 visitors and 9,000 students in 1 Year?
The Toy Museum in Mechelen is reaching more groups than before, with a program that attracts both families and schools. Officials mentioned that educational visits are now an important part of the offer. The museum also continues to expand its program with special events that appeal to a wider audience.
Visitors will be welcomed to experience a new scavenger hunt throughout the building during the fall break. There will also be workshops offered with a Halloween theme, where children and families will have the opportunity to engage in creative work.
“We offer educational packages with hands-on activities,”
Says Alderman for Education Sabe De Graef (Vooruit).
“After their visit, they can play in the playroom. The museum also offers guided tours. Our ambition is to have every Mechelen child visit twice during their school career. This year, we’ve already welcomed 9,000 students.”
The museum is looking forward to celebrating its first anniversary at its current site. A festive nocturne will take place on Friday, October 3, 2025, with the museum open until 9 p.m. Special workshops will be held in the evening, and all guests will be offered a complimentary drink. Mechelen residents will be offered half price on entrance as part of the anniversary festivities.
The Toy Museum in Mechelen began in 1982 and relocated from Nekkerspoel to Mechelen Station on October 5, 2024. The museum gained a contemporary station building, and now has a modern and interactive layout where visitors can engage in games and activities.
By mid-2025, the museum had welcomed approximately 9,000 students, in accordance with the target set by Alderman for Education Sabe De Graef (Vooruit), to have every child in Mechelen visit the museum twice during their school years.
