The Museum of Traditional Toys of Sardinia is located in the hamlet of Zeppara, in the municipality of Ales. The museum venue was created by the recovery of the unused space of the former nursery and elementary school. The buildings, adjacent to each other, were connected by a new central body that gave rise to the current single structure, which opened in December 2002.

The museum’s collection broadly and significantly represents the traditional play heritage of the entire island. The toys on display are the result of extensive ethnographic research, conducted in the various municipalities of Sardinia with the involvement of Pro Loco, local associations (such as AUSER) and numerous schools, through participatory workshops.

Recent villages involved in the research include Busachi, Nughedu Santa Vittoria, Sedilo, Asuni, San Nicolò d’Arcidano, Tramatza, Laconi, Villanovatulo, Perdasdefogu, Orune, San Basilio and San Giovanni Suergiu. This wide participation has made it possible to collect authentic testimonies that reflect the collective memory of generations of Sardinian children. Visitors often recognize toys from their own childhood in the museum’s toys, making the visit an exciting and personal experience.

The collection is based on a precise methodological choice: to enhance the “homemade toy,” made from poor or salvaged materials, constructed by parents, relatives, friends or by the children themselves. The goal is not perfect aesthetics, but the authenticity of the popular object, which tells about ingenuity, creativity and material culture.

The exhibition route

The museum offers an itinerary divided into thematic sections, each accompanied by explanatory texts.

The sections currently present are:

• Imitation weapons-Swords, rifles and slingshots made of wood or cane, used in pretend games.
• Imitations of transportation vehicles-Carts, boats, airplanes and other vehicles reproduced with poor materials.
• Sound instruments-Toys that produce sounds and noises, also related to rituals and traditions.
• Dolls – Made from cloth, wood, cork or other simple materials.
• Movement Games – Circles, spinning tops and other objects that stimulate motor skills.
• Skill Games – Objects for throwing, balance, coordination.
• Ritual and festive games-Toys related to celebrations such as Christmas or Holy Week.
• Pastimes inspired by hunting and fishing – Reproductions of traps, nets, decoys and toy guns.
• Miscellaneous toys – Objects that do not fit into a specific category but are equally representative.

The Museum of Traditional Toys of Sardinia is not only an exhibition venue, but an active center of research, education and enhancement of collective memory. Its collections tell us about a world in which children’s creativity was expressed through ingenuity, reuse and simplicity, still offering valuable insights into education, sustainability and the culture of play.