The museum reopened in June 2023 after a period of expansion and refurbishment. The main target group is children of pre-school age (up to six years old), although the museum is becoming very popular with adult Asian tour groups, thanks to the interest in the work of Dick Bruna (1927-2017).
Designed with and around the artwork and world-famous Dutch children’s book author, the museum offers toddlers and pre-school children the possibility to discover their world on their own terms, together with Miffy and her friends. All the attractions are robust and at child height. The children are allowed to use everything and there are no corners or edges to ensure safe play. Parents and carers accompany children through the exhibition.
The museum believes that it is never too early to build a memory library to judge how to respond to situations and offers a wide range of experiences in a world created around friendly and familiar Miffy, very similar to their own. Parental participation is encouraged, as young children learn best through interaction with adults. Children engage with topics in a playful way and learn by imitating the adult world, with themed islands including cooking and eating, telephones, transport and health, a reading room and creative workshops.
The aim is to teach children to count and name objects at the same time. Many of the interactive stations were tested by families and professionals in the field of early child development as well as partners involved in the conception and implementation of the exhibitions. Attractions are accessible for visually impaired and deaf youngsters, and staff are trained to deal with many disabilities, so that everyone feels ‘normal’ and as independent as possible.
The judges’ comment
Education is the great strength of the Miffy Museum; the focus on early childhood education has been consistently implemented and the enthusiastic staff are well prepared for their tasks. Although the museum is under the umbrella of the Central Museum it became obvious that a separate museum was essential. The consistent thinking and awareness of inclusion and diversity is very well developed and implemented throughout the museum.