Museum in Boxes: Insights from Contributory Participation and Informal Learning in a Pop-up MiniMuseum Pilot Study

This study evaluates the pedagogical and social effectiveness of the “MiniMuseum,” an innovative mobile and pop-up exhibition unit designed for the Ankara Toy Museum collection. Using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the research examines how portable museum formats influence children’s conceptual perceptions of toy heritage. Data were triangulated through pre- and post-tests, systematic visitor observations, and expert focus group interviews. Quantitative results indicate a clear conceptual shift: the proportion of participants viewing toys solely as play objects dropped from 28.07% to 14.03% post-intervention, while 85.97% moved toward an expanded understanding of toys as cultural and historical artifacts. Observation data bridged these findings, revealing high engagement levels facilitated by social learning; 48% of interactions involved museum staff and 28% occurred among peer groups. Qualitative coding identified the unit’s modular design and Augmented Reality (AR) integration as primary strengths supporting multisensory engagement, while also identifying weaknesses in technical sustainability. Situated within the global cultural crisis of 2025, the study concludes that the MiniMuseum offers a resilient, scalable strategy for inclusive museum education. By bridging the gap between formal and informal spaces, the model provides a strategic response to the shrinking resources of traditional institutions, serving as a benchmark for democratizing access to heritage in Türkiye and beyond.