What an awesome toys store! I visited specifically for the purpose of buying monopoly. It's allowed…read moreback in my house now (I've been told I tend to throw a tantrum when I'm not winning, I dispute this). So, after a quick search online, Smyths Toys was suggested. I was easily able to locate purchase online (so I knew it was in stock) and made the drive over. I didn't realise this is a huge toy store! There's a massive selection of board games, toys for all ages, scooters, musical instruments and of course, console games. So I found monopoly, and ended up buying not only the original but also world edition. And whilst exploring the isles I also found aqua dragons which I HAD to add to my list (they sound so much more badass than sea monkeys!) I didn't notice at the time but there is also a toys R us nearby in the event you can't find what you're looking for (which I highly doubt, but still). Service was ok, the service desks are a bit hard to navigate but staff are friendly enough. Plus there seems to be some kind of sale on now. So if you're in need of board games, now is probably the time to stock up.

Even during covid they've managed to get loads of costumers and are still powering through.read more

This shop really brings me back to my childhood, it's got a retro appearance, with bright toy box…read morecolours and the windows chock full of toys and games. They specialise in traditional toys here, you are unlikely to find really complex electronic gadgets, just good old fashioned fun. There are loads of board games, lego, child's dolls, for some reason Warhammer, and a few things I had never seen before. It is a bit of a shambles as well, but in a cute independent shop way, you can get lost in amongst piles of toys and games. The people there are great as well and you can see that they enjoy selling toys to little kids, and bigger kids as well. I did see a few adults having a cheeky peek around and it was amusing realising that they were enjoying it more than the kids. Since the closure of Woolworths there are few toy stores around any more, and even fewer independent toy shops. Toys Galore is there to bring fun to people and in that respect it succeeds. A great place for gifts, either for children or for those who still claim to be 'young at heart'

They're not kidding. This place is overflowing with toys of all kinds - board games, dolls, action…read morefigures, that Warhammer stuff that the weird kid in school used to paint. And, given it's an independent store, it really isn't that expensive. Monopoly and Cluedo were £15. Now, I'm 22. And as a child I never had that many toys. My parents bought me books to turn me into the verbose, intolerant specimen I am today (I'm really very nice, and so are my parents but that doesn't work for reviewing purposes). I used to get so jealous of my classmates, with their cool toys. I did have loads of Lego, mind. Given this deprivation as a child you'd think I'd go wild in a place like this. You'd think I'd be sliding down the isles on my knees, crashing around with glee. Or at least, you know, be a bit excitable. Not so. It was dark and eerily quiet. It all felt a bit serious. It was everything a toy shop shouldn't have been. Mr Magorium wouldn't be impressed.

As I walked into Hamilton's shop and you could be forgiven for thinking you have stepped back in…read moretime. I really don't think this place has changed in the 120 years that a shop has been on this site, you will understand if you go there. Also sold here is toys for the beach with the usual bucket and spade, tennis bats and foot ball's. Selection of juices also available.

The Smart Stork is definitely for the more sophisticated child!…read more I like to think I'm all grown up, but I couldn't resist heading in there as I'm a sucker for any pink and mini sized! This is probably the only toy store in Bruntsfield, and when one walks past the initial room, which is filled to the ceiling with toys and games galore, there's the most adorable children's clothes section in the back. The clothes are exactly what I picture children wearing; pastel colours, cute and innocent looking! I have no children, and had a little too much pride to buy myself any toys, so I have no idea of the price range, but I just have to stress how adorable this shop is.

The Smart Stork is yet another cute children's clothing boutique in the Bruntsfield area. If you're…read morelooking for gifts for newborns then this is the kind of place you could get gorgeous presents or christening items that they can keep until they're older and think back at their younger years. They stock all manner of toys, pictures, room decorations, teddies, christening mugs. Most of the toys you wouldn't give to a terrible tot to play with but keep them for decoration, perhaps on a shelf in their room. You could spend ages in here "oohing" and "awwing" at all the cuteness on offer and although it's not the cheapest store, the prices reflect the quality and I wouldn't begrudge paying the prices for the beautiful items for sale here.

Hawkins Bazaar has recently opened in the Kingsgate centre and have to say already its one of my…read morefavourite shops it has a collection of odd and unique collection of toys gadgets and gifts. The go out of their way to source out of the ordinary products which appeal to all different age groups. The have products like space hoppers, flippin pets, wind up toys as well loads books, puzzles, science experiments, party bag loot games and a whole lot more think gadget shop but a whole lot better.

Really pleased to have found this shop while in Edinburgh! Picked up a couple manga and some…read morefigures with my friend, we looked it up later and found out that I guess the Kitagawa he got was a UK exclusive and only £25 so this made it extra special for us given that we are from the US. Didn't interact much with the staff other than the fact that the cashier accidentally put an extra figure in our bag, which we realized and handed back to him before leaving. He seemed very friendly though

Came here looking for Pokemon cards for the kids or possibly a small souvenir. They didn't have any…read morecards and despite a pretty large merchandise section the thing they had the most of was comics. The comics were all retail and all of the merchandise was fairly priced. We didn't have a lot of space for presents but my kid was eyeballing a trade paperback. I liked how they had a curated display of comics but my favorite part was an independent small publisher section from companies I've never heard about before. They had toys, plushies, and funko pops along the right side of the store. Pretty good mix of lots of different items and franchises but not enough if you are a collector of something specific. I think this store started in NY but have expanded globally, there were a steady stream of people coming in and staff was helpful and kind when I asked for Pokemon cards. There were some places that seemed irritated after hearing the same question for the 20th time that day.

This place is awesome. I think it might actually LITERALLY have everything!…read more It is basically a huge warehouse full of everything and broken up into sections; Christmas, storage, crafts, bedding, kitchen, sofas, etc. It is fairly cheap and cheerful so I would go there expecting to find something that will last you for years but if you're moving house or need a few bits and bobs then this is definitely somewhere you should consider for your first port of call. They even sell fake stuffed reindeer heads and cuddle chairs!

Sweet holy moly of reasonably priced furniture heaven! I jadour this place big time. Furniture,…read morehousehold accessories, art and craft gear, art, garden and garden furniture, pets, lighting oh my gosh I could go on and on and on. They also have a half decent cafe at the back of the place. This isn't John Lewis granted but there are good quality products for your home at a good price. Who can argue!?! That's right no you can't! For all those crafty guys out there I really like the huge selection they dedicate to art and crafts. The paint and wallpaper section isn't amazing but it depends on what you're looking for. I'm here all the time so holla at me if you see a stressed out woman wheeling two kids about in a trolley ;)

I really don't know why I like this place. I shouldn't. You shouldn't. No one should. It should…read moreoffend you. It's everything wrong with Japan. Over the top, offensively cute, bright sparkly anime characters of every form (as long as it's a cutesy or perverted form). Cutie House basically sells toys, key rings, ornaments, bags and jewellery, of popular Japanese characters in the West like Hello Kitty or Pukka. There is also some Nintendo and Studio Ghibli characters represented, that I can appreciate a little more. They also sell some goods relating to more popular Western animations like Nightmare before Christmas and the ever incredible cult classic, The Moomins. In my heart of hearts I still know this is all tacky commercial tat using up precious Earthly resources, but somehow its kitsch value overwhelms me. One word of warning: this shop is almost as small as my dignity after purchasing something from it. Don't enter in any greater number than one. It really is tiny. A quirky little shop that somehow manages to charm me. I imagine if I spent anytime in Japan these feelings would quickly subside, but for now Cutie House, you win.

Cutie House is super DUPER kawaii, enough to make your eyes bulge at the trinkets inside…read more This place is bursting full of bubblegum Japanese pop gifts, mainly of the keychain or small necklace variety. The walls are lined with the biggest collection of Hello Kitty and Domukun I have ever seen in my life in such a small place, and the vast majority of stock is tiny. This place is home to everything from Mario figurines and small cuddly toys to Snoopy, Chinese lucky cats and even some mini Dragonball Z figurines. Gifts are pocket sized and ususally around the £5 mark. I love the cute little baby Spiderman guys in here and when I was younger Cutie House would've made me burst with joy. A great gem to take your kids, but you'll enjoy it, too! If I ever find use for an elephant figurine, I will make room for it on my mantelpiece.

This is one of those unusual and wonderful shops that are very rare these days. If you are looking…read morefor a traditional shop that only sells one kind of thing, like toys, or cards, and find it hard to deal with a wider range of items that seemingly defy neat classification into one category, then this is not for you. If however you are interested in all things beautiful, handcrafted and at the same time would like to support the care of adults with learning disabilities, then this is the place to go. The Mulberry Bush in Edinburgh is part of Garvald Edinburgh and has no links to the other Mulberry Bush online shop that's based in Sussex. The website for the Mulberry Bush Edinburgh is https://www.garvaldmakers.com/ where you can get a good overview of what you can purchase in the shop. The Garvald approach to social therapy "brings together all the factors that are important for any person in their daily life. A work-like environment provides meaning, structure and stability. The physical environment is even more important for people with learning disabilities. Our day facilities are calm and creative spaces and we encourage respect for the natural world around us. This nourishes the senses and and develops a feeling of community and respect that would be otherwise very difficult for our members to experience. Isolated people become integrated people. Garvald Edinburgh now supports people across four locations. We are also one of the founding organisations of get2gether Edinburgh, which arranges social activities for people with disabilities in safe and friendly places throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians."

I'm really not sure how to approach this review. It's probably best to make a list of some of the…read morewonders that The Mulberry Bush stock: Wool; paint; skincare products; toys; second hand books; new books; greetings cards; diaries; dolls. I could go on, but I won't. As you'll have gathered, I don't know how to approach it because I can't fathom what this shop is supposed to be. At first I thought it was card shop, given the racks of cards by the door. Then I noticed the paints and pencil crayons and thought it must've been an art supplies shop. But then I saw the toys and dolls. Oh I get it, it's a toy shop that sells and art supplies. Hang on, what about the books? A book shop that sells toys, greetings cards and art supplies? Surely not. I can't even place the skincare products in any of this. I'm so confused.