With Christmas approaching and adult responsibilities increasing by the day, toy shops can coax your inner child to come out and play. Or, even better, inspire you and your little ones this Christmas. Here are 10 of the best Hong Kong toy stores to bring out the kid in all of us:
1. Wonderland Superstore
If you're a fan of life-size teddy bears and Gundam figurines, head to Wonderland Superstore. This colossal toy emporium is stacked with beloved cartoon characters and there’s heaps of board games and stationery to be found too. G/F, Pebbles World, Whampoa Garden Site 3, Hung Hom, 2303 0313; wonderland.com.hk.
2. Action Hobbies
Racing enthusiasts, start your engines! This shop in Mong Kok specialises in remote controlled cars and accessories and has enough of them to satisfy the biggest petrol head. Take your Corvette for a pavement cruise or upgrade your truck with high-performing Volante tyres. 1 Kwong Wa St, Mong Kok, 2770 0907; fb.com/actionhobbieshk.
3. Hot Toys
Another Mong Kok must-visit, Hot Toys is a showroom full of action figure collectables ranging from Marvel and Star Wars characters all the way to Predator. If you’re lucky, you can sneak a peek at the special edition toys they occasionally stock and take home a superhero. 2/F, CTMA Ctr, 1N Sai Yeung Choi St, Mong Kok, 3722 3988; hottoys.com.hk.
4. Hung Hing Toys
Toys come in all shapes and sizes and at Hung Hing, they take the shape of much-loved manga characters like Sailor Moon, as well as Disney and Bandai favourites, among others. Find characters in figurine form or printed on T-shirts. 19 Tai Yeun St, Wan Chai, 2891 4739; hunghingtoys.com.
5. 80M Bus Model Shop
Ever wanted to drive a minibus in Hong Kong? Found that challenging owing to the fact that, well, you’re not a bus driver? Well, here’s your chance – sort of. This fab store sells a range of bus models from all around the world. If our minibuses aren’t your thing, go big with a classic red London double decker. 11/F, Langham Place, 8 Argyle St, Mong Kok, 3514 9233; 80mbusmodel.com.
6. Puzzle City
Before the internet started distracting the human race, jigsaw puzzles were a thing. Puzzle addicts will be glad to know that in Sham Shui Po, jigsaws are alive and well. Puzzle City’s décor is floor-to-ceiling jigsaws, just in case you aren’t sure what they’re selling when you stumble in. 7/F, Dragon Ctr, 37K Yen Chow St, Sham Shui Po, 2383 0200; puzzlecity.com.hk.
7. Only For Fun
One for block-heads, this brick-centric store is edicated solely to Lego. Not only are there an impressive array of Lego sets in this Lai Chi Kok shop, there are awe-inspiring displays of already-built models to admire. 5/F, Block B, Hong Kong Industrial Ctr, 489-491 Castle Peak Rd, Lai Chi Kok, 9030 9166; onlyforfun.com.hk.
8. Toyzone
Hidden in what seems to be a run-down industrial building, Toyzone is rewarding gem of a find filled with some rare and retro collectables displayed behind glass windows like a museum. They also sell books, classic figurines and modern sets of anime toys. 4/F, Wah Ha Factory Bldg, 8 Shipyard Ln, Quarry Bay, 2882 6850; toyzone.com.hk.
9. Party Games Shop
Thanks to modern technology, traditional party games have fallen by the wayside. For those looking to take it back to the old school, Party Games Shop stocks games from around the world, with limited editions like Stack The Bones Jenga and Anime Uno. M/F, Sino Ctr, 582-592 Nathan Rd, Mong Kok, 3153 5151; partygame.com.hk.
10. Minihouse
Build your dream dollhouse in the heart of Causeway Bay. This distinctive store predominantly sells miniature dollhouse accessories. If you’re a true hobbyist you can get furniture or wooden doors custom-made, if you can wait a couple of days. 2 Great George St, Causeway Bay, 9219 8549. By Isobel Dobson