Photo:
courtesy Washington State History Museum
The traveling exhibition “Toytopia,” on view at Tacoma’s Washington State History Museum now through June 5, will delight both adults and kids. Adults will love the display cases featuring popular toys through the decades, and kids will enjoy the giant-size toys and games. This exhibition offers tons of interactive play opportunities, such as a walk-in dollhouse, a huge Battleship game and old-school arcade games to play.
Highlights for families
“Toytopia” offers a great mix of history and interactive play. Popular toys from previous generations such as Barbie, Star Wars, Lego, Monopoly and more are on display. These are sure to bring a smile to adults’ faces as they see iconic toys from their own childhoods.
Kids will love the giant walk-through dollhouse with buttons that make sounds such as a phone ringing, doorbell or toilet flushing. A variety of smaller dollhouses are available for free play as well. Oversize Battleship and Connect 4 games are sure to impress, as well the Rolling Ball Sculpture that invites kids to use robotic arms to pick up balls and roll them down ramps.
More hands-on play stations feature Lego bricks, Keva blocks and Lincoln Logs of various heights so kids of all ages can build. And don’t miss the 8-foot-tall Etch A Sketch — along with regular-sized ones for drawing — or the giant Lite-Brite.
The old-school video arcade features ‘80s cabinet games that can be played for free — no quarters needed. This year’s exhibition includes a dueling pixel arcade game in which two players compete in Tetris or Snake.
Tips for parents
- This exhibition and its hands-on activities are suitable for preschool-age kids and older. There are some small toys such as Lego bricks, so if you bring younger tots, keep a close eye on them.
- The exhibition is spread over more than one room, so if you have several kids who might want to go in different directions, bring a buddy to help keep an eye on your crew.
- I recommend hitting the arcade area last, or that might be all you see! It’s hard to pull the kids away from there.
- You could easily spend several hours in the “Toytopia” exhibition alone — plan on about two, and then add a little extra time to check out the rest of the museum. Highlights include the 360 exhibition and the state’s largest model railroad layout on permanent display.
If you go to ‘Toytopia!’ …When: “Toytopia” is on view through June 5, 2025. The museum is open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Every third Thursday of the month the museum stays open until 8 p.m., and offers free admission from 3–8 p.m. Where: Find the Washington State History Museum at 1911 Pacific Ave. in downtown Tacoma. Cost: “Toytopia” and tandem exhibits are included with regular museum admission: $17 for adults; $14 for seniors (65 and older) and military (retired or active duty with ID), $11 for students (age 6–18 or older with current high school ID); and free for children ages 5 and younger. There are discounts available for Washington foster parents and Washington Museum for All cardholders with ID. Admission is free for Washington State Historical Society members. Parking and transit: You can park next to the museum on the Pacific Avenue level, or follow the street downhill and to the left behind the museum for an additional parking lot that extends behind Union Station. If the History Museum parking lots are full, you may find street parking on Pacific Avenue or in the parking lots at South 21st Street between C Street and Jefferson Avenue. There is a Link light rail station in front of the museum, as well as stops for local bus lines. Special events and parties: If you want a fun flashback to the toys of your childhood coupled with a fun date night, consider checking out the “Toytopia” Silent Disco. Admission includes two drink tickets. The museum is also offering Toytopia-themed birthday party packages. Nearby: Anthem Coffee and Tea is right next door and offers a full menu as well as beverages. You might be all played out — is that possible? — but if not, the Children’s Museum of Tacoma is right down the street and offers pay-as-you-will admission. The exhibits here are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2018. It was updated on April 11, 2025, by the writer with details for this year’s “Toytopia” exhibition at Washington State History Museum.
