Wow, if you are a Lego fan, you have to check out Toy Planet! They stock the biggest range of Lego…read moreI've seen in Auckland, and it's also the most interesting range. I don't know if they import it, or if they simply have access to all the ranges available to stock in NZ (I think the other big chains only choose particular lines to carry) - but they really do have it all! My tip is to only shop here when you do not have your children with you, otherwise you'll end up leaving with an overloaded credit card...!

Amazing customer service, and an INCREDIBLE range of Lego and collectibles, they also have a fairly…read moreextensive online store. Def recommend over any other toy shop. Much better quality products than most. I was impressed with the amount of wooden toys they had too!

This is one of my favourite stores to shop for the children I love. I know that they won't be…read moregetting a duplicate from someone else, and that what I buy them will spark their imaginations and be used in play for years. Not only are the toy and game selections both unique and well-made, but the staff are very knowledgeable about their offerings and make expert suggestions on what items are good for different age groups. They have also been polite and friendly on every visit. This store never fails to delver on every level.

If you are a rich (and potentially pretentious) Europhile with a cool child or baby then you should…read moreprobably hit up this weird and very awesome shop. I only went into this place because it's on my way home from work, but I certainly did not regret it. Anonymously nestled on the way out of Ponsonby, Be Ba Bo is a kind of boutique toy shop where you can pick up all sorts of charming Germanic, Scandanavian, French, and Spanish fare. You won't find Barbie or Ken in this place, instead you will be greeted by a large rendering of the Eiffel tower, constructed out of some sort of obscure, German, meccano stuff. The place is absolutely awash with whimsy, and is certainly a haven for those of us whose interest is peaked by calm, clean, design. I adored the armies of little wooden figurines clothed in vibrant felt and woolen hairpieces. If I ever have a baby, I'll be certain to make it save up its pocket money so as to splash out on a terrific little something from Be Ba Bo.

really not a great experience. The stock is old and not just that, defiantly the most expensive toy…read morestore in Auckland. bought a thomas wooden rail way set from them not only was it over priced i found later when i saw the same set sold in other toy shops, some of the set was broken. gave me a lame excuse that they have to send it back to the supplier... in that time my kids have not thomas wooden rail way to play with even though we paid a lot for it. Advise DONT GO HERE

Right on Queen Street beautiful Christmas windows & The only ones we saw in Auckland. They were…read morebeautifully done, music played at the puppets moment. The store was closed. We went inside looking for luggage and passed beautiful clothing and housewares. Santa was keeping Children busy. Luggage was around $1,000 so we moved onward

This was a wonderful find! I was in desperate need of socks, ha ha! My brother was looking for a…read moresweater and they were very helpful in pointing out where they were. There were several reasonably priced ones. Everyone was so kind and helpful.

The Dorothy Butler Children's Bookshop is something of an institution in the precious little world…read moreof children's bookstores. I go in there on a fairly regular basis, as I teach at an intermediate school, and every single time I find myself swept up in these soft and powerful waves of nostalgia and quiet charm. I simply can't imagine a way in which this store could be improved. There is nothing tacky. No trying to cash in on the latest sweeping pre-teen literary phenomenon. The Dorothy Butler Children's Bookshop simply presents it's undying asset and doens't feel the need to dress it up or patronise their punters in any way. It's just books for kids and things like that. The shop is warm and inviting and they have a great selection, including a wide range of Aotearoa New Zealand Authors. The shelves are loaded with potential for learning and cerebral stimulation. It's one hell of a children's bookshop.

The word that would best describe this shop is quality. As soon as you walk in you can feel a good…read moreexperience waiting to happen. Right from the get go there is something to please everyone. There's an awesome train table set to keep the kids occupied and a little cornered off play area for those run-away toddlers. So easy as that... chuck them in there and you're left on your own to explore the store. There's so much going on here every inch and corner is packed with goodness. From educational books about dinosaurs and planes to the classics like Dr Seuss. There's also toy figurines and fairies which would be sure to put a smile on any child's face. The prices seem pretty reasonable for such quality goods. None of this two-dollar-shop crap here. Just gifts you would be proud to be giving away!

Most times I enter a toy store, I lie to myself and say I'm looking for something for my little…read moresister.It's not true. It never is and everyone knows it, including me. But this time I had a legitimate excuse. I had a mission and even the usually inattentive staff noticed me. My partner has never played Snakes & Ladders! While Toyworld is generally suited to children under 8 (Barbies and trikes and Lego and what ever the latest movie merchandise is), they do stock a range of board games and the very fun Nerf guns. The staff members know their product well, though they frequently stay behind the counter or quietly stock their shelves. And really, what kind of person can resist a twinkling sale sign in the window of a giant yellow toy store? For now, I have to convince my girlfriend how extreme Snakes & Ladders can be...

Now this is a real mom n' pop business if ever I've seen one! It is a unique family owned and…read moreoperated business in Devonport, that has been bringing joy in the form of toys to the young and the young at heart for years. Nothing like crappy toys that you can buy from the Warehouse and the like that fall apart after a minutes worth of playing time, these are quality made, some even handmade. It's so cool to see actual proper wooden toys, I thought they had died out completely and been replaced by plastic carbon copies. From educational toys, to puzzles and dolls, to novelty items and plenty of silly stuff, this store has all you could need toy wise. I buy all my presents for my nieces and nephews here exclusively.

Oh my... The owner has appalling customer service skills. I went in today and was very…read moredisappointed. My one-year-old touched a book and he jumped straight at me: "Your baby touched this book. She cannot do that". Er... "Hello" or "please" would have been nice. I totally understand that he wants to keep the goods spotless (and they are), but I don't like being treated that way. Needless to say I won't be back.

As a little girl the Fairy Shop was my all-time favourite place. Wands, tutus, glitter, mushroom…read morestools, candles - it was a dream come true. I don't know how many birthday parties I went to at the Fairy Shop, and each time my stomach would be churning with excitement and wonder. Though I am now in my twenties, I still feel that same rush of excitement whenever I pass the Shop. And no, I'm not embarrassed to admit it. The fairy Shop may have moved location - it's a little further down Ponsonby Road than it used to be, however the amazing costumes and fantastical supplies you can buy there have only improved. If you want good quality, beautiful outfits that will make your child feel like a feel fairy princess then this is the one-stop shop for you! The new Fairy Shop still hosts birthday parties, so ring and book in advance and be prepared to rock your little girls' world. A new addition to the Shop is a fairy themed cafe, so parents you can relax over a delicious cup of coffee while your children marvel at the wonder that is the Fairy Shop. Bonus: You don't have to have kids to enjoy a sweet treat from the cafe and oggle at the delightfully beautiful, glittery costumes. I do it frequently!

If you have a toddler and are thinking about visiting the fairy shop just for an afternoon out or…read moresomething to do, I'd say skip it. The staff made me feel so nervous, watching everything we were doing. Although my 2 year old was well behaved she still is 2 years old and I didn't feel very welcome. I'm sure this would be a better venue for older girls. We had some of their cafe items, including a marshmallow on a stick. As we were about to leave, and making a sizable purchase, the uneaten marshmallow fell off the stick. Seeing that we had not eaten any of it AND we were making a nice purchase, I thought it would have been a nice gesture if they had offered another one. When I asked about it, the rude cashier said, "You may purchase another one. I don't really see why we would give you another one." In response I said, "well because it fell of the stick." In the end she did give us another one but was not happy about it. If had she offered, I would be writing about what a wonderful experience i had had. The merchandise is over priced and can be found elsewhere for much less but if you are looking for fairy ideas, it's a good place to go to see what's available.

Heroes for Sale is the type of store we don't see enough of in Auckland. I don't want to use the…read morediminutive term "Geek Shop" but "Adult Toy Store" definitely conveys the wrong meaning, especially being situated on K Road. "Comic Book Store" may be the best description for this shop, and they excel in stocking up-to-date comic books, from shiny, plastic-wrapped comics to ambiguous manga characters. The skillful staff will be happy to help you out. They also stock a great range of games- board games, card games, dice games. Purchasing a good board game is like an investment for a really memorable summer, especially if drinks are involved. One of the better places, other than a pub, where a guy can spend his allowance in Auckland.

My favourite thing about Heroes For Sale is that it is run by a guy called Stuart, just like the…read morecomic book store in The Big Bang Theory. My other favourite thing about this store is how truly happy it makes every comic book nerd in the central city. Picking up the latest Walking Dead comic is a regular ritual at my flat, at which point the brown package will be passed around aggressively fast, with no one offering anyone else any spoilers. Heroes For Sale is moving from its current home further down K'Road to the corner of Ponsonby and K on April 1. Look out for it at 582 K'Road soon.