If your looking for that extra special toy, the more handcrafted look, or something you know the…read moreother children wont have then this is a good place to visit. A good selection of ealy learning toys is one of the best features of this shop. Everything is just a little more personal in here, and it feels as if you are looking for a toy for a special birthday. For the little Brunels growing up in Bristol the craft toys will provide a great source of entertainment.

In a world full of plastic toys and computer gadgets Playfull Toyshop is the perfect antidote. This…read moreshop is probably not for everyday toys - but is great for presents or special occasions. Not knowing the first thing what it's like to be a child in the 21st century I'm incredibly grateful for the helpful staff at Playfull Toyshop who took a great deal of time helping me pick the ideal gift for my new Godson. These toys are long-lasting, and the prices reflect that, so make sure you choose wisely.

The second The Entertainer in Bristol - find the original smaller store on the edge of Broadmead's…read moreshopping centre next to Boots. This one is bigger and feels like it is verging on Toys R Us territory - more plastic and brands than a feel that you are in an exiting toy shop. Staff are helpful at finding you things - understanding that I had no idea who Ben 10 was (but my nephew knew him very well - phew!) which is just as well as after a few circuits in here you tend to give up. Just not fun. Still, it is still better than Toys R Us.

For quite a short road, the children of Gloucester Road are blessed with four toy shops, Playfull…read moreToyshop, Punchinello, Rainbow Wools and Totally Toys. Walking through the doors of Totally Toys is liking taking a step back into my childhood where bliss came in the form on The Entertainer or The Toy Box. There's jigsaw puzzles, skipping ropes and dressing up costumes are a'plenty here so it's a great place to shop for stocking fillers or birthday presents.

This is a lovely little toy store along the Gloucester road. When I went in I felt 6 years old…read moreagain, especially due to the Christmas toys, decorations and music playing. I found it a great place to pick up some Christmas gifts for my younger relatives. I'd say this toyshop is suitable for new borns up to around 10, but there's always room for the young at heart. Find this shop next to Scoop Away and the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity shop, ideal for a mid shopping trip break for the kids.

This used to be a place I went to once a very long ago when I still actively collected trading…read morecards, action figures and other nerdy collectables. Being in a less than genteel part of town was an interesting experience to say the least! It always seemed quite pokey and crammed with stuff which at least was an efficient use of space. I was often surprised how much interesting stock they had but I never really bought that much, I thought it a little dear, especially since I knew one mail order dealer really well and got really good personal service from him. Still it was nice to be able to browse a physical shop and not a badly photocopied a5 booklet. Nowadays my hobbies have mostly been relegated to memories, but occasionally i drive past this place whilst at work and am surprised that its still going, good for them!

As much as the taste of a Werthers Original reminds me of being five years old, so does the memory…read moreof walking into the old fashioned toy shop around the corner from my house. The shelves were lined with simple tricks and toys to entertain even the most petulant or hard to please child. Zoom forward twenty years and a walk around the joyful Avon Models is always guaranteed to take me right back to my childhood. Tucked away in a corner of the indoor section of St Nicholas' Market, it would be all too easy to walk past this stall unnoticed, but I beg that you don't. Not just for kids, this is a great place to find stocking fillers and gag gifts. Whenever I look through their build-your-own kits, sets of dominoes and paint-by-numbers I am positively swept over by a wave of nostalgia. Not to sound too old before my time but if you have children, tear them away from their Wii's and iPod's and get them down to Avon Model's for true old fashioned fun!

Pickles and Poppets is my Go-To gift shop for party presents, new baby gifts and treats for my own…read morechild! I go to the shop in Westbury Village, and love all the gorgeous clothes and toys there. The price range is varied- you can pick a lovely gift up for 50p or £50 so there's something to suit everyone. They also have very knowledgable staff in both shops and they are always on hand for ideas if I need them. There are always lots of toys out for little ones to play with and they are breast-feeding friendly too! They sell lots of well known children's clothes brands such as Frugi, Kite, Pigeon, Hately, Joules and Blade & Rose, I have bought lots of gorgeous dresses for my daughter and everyone asks where they're from and comments on how lovely they are. They also have an online shop so if you're not in Bristol you can still shop here! I love Pickles and Poppets.

From the owner: Pickles & Poppets is an independent children's shop in Bristol. We stock a wide range of clothes,…read moretoys and gifts for both boys and girls from newborn to eight years old. We are passionate about providing families, friends and kids with items that they need as well as want, and we offer a unique and alternative range of options from both international and local brands so that many different styles and preferences can be met. From beautiful newborn bamboo blankets, organic rompers and environmentally friendly kids plates and cutlery, to silver plated christening gifts, books, wooden toys, and alternative clothes! Hopefully you'll find something too! Do pop in and say hello sometime. We'd love to meet you. Love the Pickles & Poppets Team

Despite the nauseating name, this is a nice little toy and gift store with an emphasis on…read moreold-fashioned wooden toys, stocking fillers and feminine gifts. They had a mini vintage racing car made of wood which is just beautiful and at £40 not bad prices at all. They also had things like Flower Fairies and mini robots.

This toy shop in Clifton Village caters for new born babies to younger children, providing…read morewholesome toys aimed at pleasing the more educationally corncerned parents. The toys on offer here are less commercial than the high street stores and aim to make your child grow into an intellectual. With the Clifton Village setting comes the clifton pricetag, but this is a great shop to visit for gifts for a new born baby or the first few birthdays.

Just So is a really cute toy shop located in Clifton Village. If you are looking for a more…read morepersonal gift than something from the Early Learning/Entertainer stores then I would recommend a visit here. They do a huge range of products aimed for babies, through to toddlers. They also do a really nice gift wrapping service. Prices aren't too bad if you are buying as a present, however I can imagine you bill could rapidly creep up if you are buying for your own child.