What inspired the initial idea of opening a toy museum?
As owners of Cherry Bomb Toys, we’ve always had incredible pieces come through the shop, items so rare and collectible that they often sold right away. Because they moved so quickly, only a handful of people ever had the chance to see them before they disappeared into private collections. Over the years, many visitors would say, “This place looks like a museum!”
Victoria has lost many of its beloved family attractions, like the Royal London Wax Museum, and Pacific Undersea Gardens. For a time, the Maritime Museum was also closed and looking for a new location. We already had a wonderful personal collection from decades of collecting, so opening a museum felt like the natural next step, and a way to share that joy and nostalgia with the community.
The National Toy Museum of Canada Society was established in 2015, beginning as a small non-profit in the mezzanine of Cherry Bomb Toys. The museum was created to share the joy and history of toys with visitors of all ages.
Tell us about the mandate of the museum.
Our mandate is to preserve and showcase the cultural history of play — collecting and caring for artifacts, publications, photographs, and media that tell the story of toys through the decades. Our collection spans from the 1930s to today, highlighting how toys have evolved and celebrating the contributions of Canadian manufacturers along the way.
What drove the relocation of the museum and how has the museum evolved since its earlier iteration?
Although the museum has existed for a decade, it was closed for several years due to the pandemic, changing exhibits, and the need to relocate. Our first space in the mezzanine above Cherry Bomb Toys was full and not easily accessible. When the building was sold, we took the opportunity to re-imagine the museum’s future.
After a long search, we found a larger, accessible space downtown that allowed both Cherry Bomb Toys and the museum to expand, growing to four times the previous size, with room to grow. We built ramps between levels and commissioned local artists Bryan Turnbull and Morgan Macaulay to paint a nostalgic mural leading into the new space.
It took two years to renovate and reopen, but the response has been wonderful. Visitors love exploring the expanded displays, sharing memories, and enjoying our scavenger hunts for Dragon Balls, Pokémon, and Waldo. Looking ahead, we’re excited to keep rotating exhibits and featuring guest collections to make every visit feel new.
How will people experience the collections?
When visitors enter the museum, they’re greeted by some of our oldest pieces, setting the stage for a journey through the history of play. Each display case is organized by toy line or era, sometimes combining a few that connect through theme or design. We wanted every case to feel full of discovery, showcasing not just the original toys but also related items like games, books, comics, costume patterns, and newer reissues that show how each line has evolved over time.
Our new space has wonderful high ceilings compared to our previous location, which will soon allow us to feature hanging spacecraft. The tops of the cases are filled with bigger items that tie into the displays below, creating a sense of wonder at every level. Some of our largest toys, like the G.I. JOE U.S.S. Flagg and the Masters of the Universe Eternia playset, serve as natural centerpieces, with everything else was built around them.
In what ways can people support the museum?
Our long-term goal is to one day operate a larger, standalone museum space. In the meantime, there are so many meaningful ways people can support us by visiting, spreading the word, following us on Instagram and Facebook, or donating toys and items related to the history of play. We also gratefully accept financial donations, both online and in person. While we can’t yet issue tax receipts, it’s something we’re working toward for the future. Every bit of support helps us preserve the joy and nostalgia that make this museum so special, and we’re deeply thankful to our community for helping bring it to life.
Learn more about The National Toy Museum of Canada and view a gallery of its collections.