When I was a nipper, there was a choice of Lego, plasticine or crayons and paper to play with…read more These days, young kids have access to a whole world of toys, games, craft kits and fancy dress costumes. I know because I've just visited Daisy Daisy and the sheer volume of different things made me feel dizzy. They stock wooden tricycles, kites, pop-up boxes, dolls houses, farmyards with animals, mini-tractors, fire engines and a whole section of stuffed toys, dolls and craft books. There's special sections for Juniors, 0-3 year olds and Mother and Baby as well as wall art, height charts, coat hooks and lights to stimulate and educate your nippers. I quite fancied one of the Wild West costumes but the manager insisted they didn't have my size.

My little nephew is too young to enjoy most of the toys at Daisy Daisy - the section for babies was…read morelimited to one shelving unit and wasn't all that exciting. The rest of the shop, however, made up for it. The two levels are stacked with toys and books for a wide range of interests and ages. Some worth mentioning: art supplies, costumes, wooden train sets, plastic and wooden figurines, doll houses, puppets, puzzles and kitchen sets. Tiny jars near the front contained retro toys like spinning tops and those plastic army guys with parachutes. The shop is really kid friendly, with brightly coloured murals on the walls and many shelves at kid-height.

Lordy, I think I have just found the perfect contraceptive…read more This colossal toy store in Hove is the size of a small village. I was lucky enough to go when it wasn't too busy, but boy it's still quite overwhelming. I was only looking for a toy bow and arrow to accompany a fancy dress outfit but it was impossible to find anything here. I looked around for a member of staff for help but couldn't find one, i walked around the entire store twice but still couldn't find one, I looked and I looked...not one member of staff! Eventually I had to queue at the cash desk to speak to the singular staff member...only to be told they don't sell bows and arrows. I couldn't get out of this store quick enough - although that's easier said than done as there is only one exit that you eventually find once you have been channeled around the side of the shop. As I said, it's enough to put you off having children!

A real favourite with families, Toys R Us on the Goldstone site is probably the biggest toy and…read morekiddies shop in Brighton and Hove. It's ideal if you want to grab a few gifts and toys. Last year, on Christmas eve, I did all my Xmas shopping here and definitely made a saving. A great place.

If you've visited the mammoth Toys R Us in Times Square, you'll have seen amazing sculptures of…read moreKing Kong and Times Square made out of Lego. There's nothing quite as impressive in Lego's Brighton store but there are glass cabinets dotted around the store with much smaller and detailed sculptures of classic hotels, fairgrounds and landmark buildings. Parents that haven't got the time or inspiration to help their offspring build something jaw-dropping can buy these ready made for around £100-£250. Otherwise, you can buy buckets of individual bricks in different colours and kits to build everything from animals and Lego families to jungles, buildings and scenes. Imaginative and exciting stuff for nippers. And parents that are still young at heart!

There aren't a great many toys still going strong from my childhood, but Lego is definitely one of…read morethem. I spent many happy hours building houses, garages (for my brother's Dinky cars), trains, and my own version of the 'Thunderbird' craft, although they didn't really look anything like the real thing. Not that I cared. The big thing that has changed, though, is the change from just basic building sets to the huge range of specialised sets, with everything from space-ships to pirate ships, trains, cars, planes, and themes and franchises such as Indiana Jones, Atlantis, and Toy Story - to name just a few. I must confess to being old school here, preferring the range of basic brick boxes and buckets to let children's own imaginations run riot, but I can see the need to compete in today's market-place with more commercially inspired sets. The key thing is that you have the choice. Basic brick boxes start from £6.50 (280 pieces) to £12.99 to the 650-piece Deluxe version, both of which seem pretty good value to me compared with many others toys these days. The store is not that big, but there is more than enough choice, and the staff are knowledgeable and child-friendly. As the other reviewers imply, it pays to have a plan before you go in, lest you get tempted (or pestered!) to spend/buy rather more than you planned. It's worth noting that there's a good website if you want to look in the store and then buy on-line later.

Collectors' heaven. Also great for people who like cool, groovy and kawaii toys, characters and…read morerelated items. All sorts for all sorts.

Discount bookstore selling discounted books, stationery and art and craft materials. Set over two…read morefloors, art and craft section and stationery are upstairs, with books downstairs. The selection of books can be a bit hit-and-miss, but there's a good children's section and it is always worth a browse as the stock changes reasonably frequently. At Christmas they have a selection of calendars. Over the years I've got some good bargains here, including DVDs and books. Friendly staff.

Ross M.'s idea, that this store is just a dumping ground for the rejected stock of other bookshops…read morekinda hits the nail on the head i think! Though, perhaps not, as apparently there's a Works Outlet store down at the Brighton Marina! Despite the junkiness of some, well most of its stock, I am quite fond of the Works. It brings back fond childhood memories of my Dad ushering me and my sisters in to the Bristol store with (in heavy Bristolian) 'come on girls we need stationary! the works is the place to go!'. Though even then the stock seemed pretty naff! I did find cheap kids books though. As an adult, I really wouldn't bother going there for the books, or the gifts. But for cheap stationary - cheaper than W. H. Smiths - it's worth a visit.

A brilliant store with brilliant staff. brilliant and quirky toys where the customer always comes…read morefirst and a level of service that is second to none. Cannot receommend highly enough.

Like Millie's Cookies, this place just isn't as magical as it was a few years ago. The endless…read moreDisney sequels (cinderella's daughter gets off with the new prince charming etc...) or animated films just don't have the same charm or authenticity they used to (or maybe i've just grown up...). And I miss the giant pyramid of giant cuddly Disney character toys you'd find in all the stores - where can I find a giant bouncing Tigger anymore?! Also, the prices aren't cheap, and avoid it at Christmas when it get pretty chaotic. Saying that, The Disney Store still provides me with a little of that warm and fuzzy feeling, and it's still a great place to got for cute cuddly toys if you need a present for someone!

Oh goodness. A Disney shop. I was expecting to be bombarded by the sound of children's tantrums…read morewhen I walked in, but even if kids were screaming for toys, I wouldn't have been able to hear it over the happy, happy soundtrack blasting through the shop. Yikes. The Disney characters plastered on every marketable item possible ranged from old school Tinkerbell and Snow White to some newbies I'd never heard of or seen before. You could find them in stuffed toy form, on plates and water-bottles, as plastic figurines, on various articles of clothing, keychains, singing in soundtracks and of course as cartoon stars of their perspective feature films. I'll be honest - I find this store disturbing, but if you happen to be a major Disney fan, or are looking for an easy children's gift, now is a good time to pick something up. Items are up to 50% off during Boxing Week.

At weekends, the delightfully named Miss Sparkle hosts magic shows, puppet shows and face painting…read morein the back room of Now We Are Six. If I took my favourite four year old to one of them, I'm sure she's be delighted. If I took her shopping there mid-week however, I don't think she'd crack a smile. On the surface, Now We Are Six stock everything toddlers of one to six might want from dressing up clothes, soft toys and books to dolls houses, castles, musical instruments and wooden bikes. The problem is, neither the layout or atmosphere feels or looks very exciting. I understand the owners want the place to educate as well as entertain children but I think they need to sprinkle a bit more F.U.N. and M.A.G.I.C. in there. Maybe Miss Sparkle could work in the week too...

The window of this toy shop is so promising- stacked full of unusual wooden toys in bright colours,…read morecute soft toys and Babar goodies. I agree with Sarah-Jane though, the inside is very disappointing, it seems strangely aimed at adults rather than children. I would feel okay going in here myself to buy a toy for my nephew/niece but would't particularly plan to take them in. Somehow the vibe seems to be- play nice and don't mess up the toys! Not that the staff were unfriendly, quite the opposite. It just felt a little neat and plain...I'm not sure, there's definitely something missing. I appreciate the nod to A.A Milne in the shop name but I have to say that to me it suggests toys for kids older than six whereas the toys stocked seemed younger than that.