Tag: Museum of Childhood

Museum of Edinburgh hosts two new summer exhibitions exploring wellbeing and connection to nature

This summer, the Museum of Edinburgh presents two inspiring exhibitions celebrating the powerful relationship between wellbeing, nature, and place, each told through unique creative lenses:

Nature Through Nurture: Wellbeing and the Natural World in Children’s Books

Thu 1 May to Sun 7 Sep 2025

Developed in partnership between the Museum of Childhood and Scotland’s Early Literature for Children Initiative (SELCIE) at the University of Edinburgh, Nature Through Nurture delves into the enduring presence of the natural world in children’s literature over the past 150 years.

Flowers, trees, animals, insects and birds feature heavily in children’s books, set in both the real world and imaginary worlds. Children’s books from the last 150 years will be on display with beautiful illustrations, poetry and information about how to find green spaces throughout Edinburgh.

The positive influences of nature on mental health and wellbeing will be examined alongside a programme of public events for children and families.

Dr Sarah Dunnigan, Senior Lecturer, School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures at the University of Edinburgh and co-founder of SELCIE said: “The partnership between SELCIE and the Museum of Childhood for the Nurture through Nature exhibition beautifully highlights how children’s books can connect young readers to the natural world.

“This collaboration brings together literature, history, and nature in a way that we hope will inspire visitors to explore Edinburgh’s green spaces and reflect on the links between nature and well-being.

“The project has also made accessible many previously uncatalogued books from the Museum of Childhood collection, with several being displayed publicly for the first time. This collection is of great significance, and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the future.

Wellbeing in the City: Feel-Good Places in and Around Edinburgh

Thu 10 Apr to Sun 31 Aug 2025

Created by participants of photography and creative writing courses run by Access to Industry, this exhibition offers personal and heartfelt reflections on the places in Edinburgh that inspire calm, joy, and connection.

Each member of the photography course has chosen a place in and around Edinburgh that makes them feel good. The group visited every place nominated to take photos and have selected their favourites to present in the exhibition.

The creative writing group have produced short pieces of writing about places or activities in Edinburgh that make them feel well.

Helen Murray, Encompass Caseworker from Access to Industry said: “Access to Industry are delighted to have been able to work with Museums and Galleries Edinburgh on the joint project, Wellbeing in the City – feel good places in and around Edinburgh.

“We support clients with complex barriers to employment, many of whom have suffered trauma, isolation and marginalisation. This project has been run with our wellbeing through photography group, PAGE, and our Creative Writing group.

“It has enabled participants to enjoy improved wellbeing on trips they have chosen and reflect on what makes them feel well. We are now extremely pleased to be able to share these places and that sense of wellness with local residents and visitors from far and wide.

City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “These exhibitions beautifully highlight how nature and place shape our sense of wellbeing from childhood through adulthood.

“By showcasing stories, creativity, and lived experience, this summer the Museum of Edinburgh invites us all to reconnect with the natural world and discover the restorative spaces that exist all around us.”

Admission to both exhibitions is free.

Exhibition of Photographic Illusions opens

Mackie’s of Scotland are sponsoring the Exhibition of Photographic Illusions Now You See It, Now You Don’t at The Scottish Storytelling Centre.

To celebrate the Year of Young People, MagicFest have partnered with Edinburgh Young Carers and YouTube superstar Professor Richard Wiseman for a jaw-dropping photo exhibition.

The exhibition recreates a series of the most famous optical illusions, staged all over Edinburgh, with 30 young carers aged between 5 and 17 involved in the planning team and as models.

The Scottish Storytelling Centre will present the exhibition, while the Museum of Childhood will reveal the tricks of the trade, explaining how the illusions were created, and interviewing some of the young carers who were involved.

Sponsors Mackie’s of Scotland & Jessops provided funding, equipment – and ice cream.

The exhibition is open to the public from 13th December to 26th January.

Admission is free.

Happy Birthday, Baby Boxes

Gimmick or Godsend, Baby Boxes are one year old today

A year since the first delivery

As the first Baby Box bairns celebrate their birthday this week, Scotland’s Baby Box has now been gifted to 52,065 newborns in its first year.

85% of expectant parents have taken up the opportunity to receive the Baby Box, while the latest parent survey showed 100% satisfaction.

Greater Glasgow and Clyde has received the most Baby Boxes in the past year, with 12,815 new babies being welcomed by a box, while 199 babies on the Western Isles received boxes.

The boxes have travelled far and wide, with 206 boxes travelling 400 miles from the depot in Leith to Haroldswick in Shetland.

Children and Early Years Minister Maree Todd said: “A year on from when the first Baby Boxes were delivered, we can say these boxes are having a real impact on the lives of those who receive them.

“I’ve heard stories from across the country about how the thermometers have helped parents seek appropriate medical care for their babies, how its contents are providing essential products for babies who arrive early, and much needed comfort for those who might not have family or friends around to shower the little one with gifts when they arrive.

“These boxes demonstrate that, as a society, we value each and every child in Scotland. We’ve had a very successful first year, with 85% take-up, and we want to continue to build on this as we move into year two.

“I’m delighted to have reached this milestone . It’s an honour for everyone involved – from the organisations providing the items to the box packers to the people delivering the boxes – to have been part of something that is having a real impact on the lives of babies and their carers across the country.”

Shelagh Young, Scotland Director of Home-Start UK, said: “Many parents have been telling Home-Start staff and volunteers just how much the items they receive are helping them.

“Being a parent, especially for the first time, can be overwhelming, and many of the families we work with we work with feel isolated and alone. The Baby Box gives the clear message that every child matters, and that parents are not alone.”

NHS Lothian Chief Midwife, Frances McGuire, said: “The Baby Box has been a great opportunity for our midwives and health visitors to chat to expectant parents about its contents and how they can help improve a child’s health and wellbeing.

“Not only that, but the box helps new parents at a time where they may be particularly stretched financially, and can provide crucial support.”

The boxes are a signal of the Scottish Government’s determination that every child, regardless of their circumstances, should get the best start in life.

Each box contains a large number of essential items for parents and babies, while the box itself comes with a mattress and can be used as a safe sleep space.

Research into parents’ views taken in December 2017 shows 100% are either satisfied or very satisfied with the overall quality of the contents.

Ninety-nine per cent of parents are also either satisfied or very satisfied with the range of items, the design of the box and delivery arrangements.

  • Contents were all very highly rated – most popular items were the bathroom/room thermometer (32% said it was most useful item), ear thermometer (22%) and sling (15%)
  • When asked spontaneously what was missing most parents (69%) could not think of any suggestions. The most common request (made by 10%) was for new-born nappies to be included
  • The most popular idea for inclusion when prompted was a second sheet for the mattress (67% said this would be very or quite useful). This has now been added into the box.
  • The majority of parents (62%) had used or planned to use the box as a bed. The main reason given for not using the box as a sleeping space was that parents had  already purchased an alternative or received one as a gift (86%)
  • Most parents had read all of the information included. The two most popular inclusions were a poem for your wee one (97% said they had read or planned to read) and information on safe sleeping (93%).

Statistics:

 Health Board 19/6-12/8 Cards Received Boxes Delivered
NHS Ayrshire and Arran 3551 3154
NHS Borders 1138 1033
NHS Dumfries and Galloway 1373 1241
NHS Fife 3743 3366
NHS Forth Valley 3033 2757
NHS Grampian 6712 5932
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 14581 12815
NHS Highland 2903 2556
NHS Lanarkshire 6565 5743
NHS Lothian 10231 9172
NHS Orkney 212 194
NHS Shetland 237 206
NHS Tayside 4105 3697
NHS Western Isles 224 199
Total 58608 52065

Baby Box to be placed in Museum of Childhood

Scotland’s Baby Box will be preserved in history when it is placed into the Museum of Childhood a year after it was first introduced.

52,065 babies across the country have now received a Baby Box containing essential items aimed at tackling inequality and promoting health.

The Museum of Childhood, in Edinburgh, will place the box into exhibition from next year.

Each box contains a large number of items for parents and babies, while the box itself comes with a mattress and can be used as a sleep space.

Children and Early Years Minister Maree Todd said: “I am absolutely delighted that our Baby Box will have a place preserved in history here at the Museum of Childhood.

“This box has made such a difference to people’s lives in the past year, and to know that this will now be on exhibition as a legacy of the babies of Scotland should make everyone involved in creating, packing and delivering the Baby Box very proud.

“We are committed to ensuring every baby has the best start in life, and I’ve seen over the past year the difference this box and its contents has made to the lives of babies and their parents and carers.”

Sandra Martin, History Curator for Edinburgh’s Museums and Galleries, said: “The Museum houses some extraordinary examples of childhood history from all sides of Scottish society.

“From real silver spoons, a popular gift with babies in Victorian Edinburgh, to makeshift dolls crafted with nothing more than a wooden spoon and some old cloth, by families who couldn’t afford anything more.

“The modern baby box is the great equaliser. The same gifts for baby, available to all new mothers. It’s a pleasure to welcome it into our collection.”

Growing Up with Books: open up a world of imagination

From the never-ending adventures of Peter Pan to shipwrecked tales from Robinson Crusoe, Growing Up with Books will chart a magical journey through centuries of children’s books.

Continue reading Growing Up with Books: open up a world of imagination

It’s time for bed at Museum of Childhood

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Scenes from some of the nation’s best-loved stories have been stitched together to create the ultimate bedtime story quilt at the Museum of Childhood. The centrepiece of ‘Bedtime Stories’, a free new exhibition at the City of Edinburgh Council’s Museum of Childhood, is a huge quilt showcasing artworks by more than sixty creative children and adults from across the UK.

Continue reading It’s time for bed at Museum of Childhood