Open Sat-Thu 8.30am-1.30pm,4.30-11pm; Fri 4pm-11pm.No Credit cards.

Nostalgia is big business nowadays.A few years ago designers of fashion and interiors started taking their inspiration from vintage clothing and antiques.It was only a matter of time before the trend -spotter took notice and before we knew it,practically every major consumer brand was doing 'retro'.Thankfully,Aladdin Toys is still authentic. A gloriously old-school chip shop,Aladdin boasts classic computer system such as Master Systems,MegaDrives and  not the none-more-kitsch Gameboy.Games are all around Dhs10,allowing you to go all warm and fuzzy over a copy of Sonic for less than a night at the ficks.

Open Sat-Thu 10am-10pm;Fri 2-10pm Credit Amex  MC,V.

An ultra-girly, pink store, which once upon a time was solely dedicated to Barbie but now incorporates brands such as Disney and Bratz.One half of the shop is still all about Barbie with a range so extensive it would drive most enthusiasts into  a frenzy.The  accoutrements of make a grown woman pine.There is also a wider range devoted to the plastic fantastic one,such as clothing ,roller-skates and vanity sets.The Bratz dolls and additional Action Man,Lego and Diseney merchandise, such as the Winnie The Pooh collection,is pleasing enough to placate non-Barbie fanatics.

Open Sat-Thu 10am-10pm;Fri 4-10pm Credit Amex MC,V.

Anyone who has tried to cut their own child's hair can vouch that holding the little terror down long enough to chop more than a few strands is harder than trying to catch a wild salmon with your bare hands.Thankfully,Kutz 4Kids are on hand to take the stress out of the whole process with their colourful studio and patient staf. There's even a play area attached at the back,presumably so they can run themselves into the ground before falling asleep in the hot seat.

Open Sun-Wed 10am-10pm;Thu-Sat 10am-12midnight Credit Amex  MC,V.

Budding architects and designers will love this bright,inviting store,which trades in the iconic plastic brick.Lego's gone all girly with Clikits-a collection of glittery jewellery and accessories, while also on sale is the toddler proof Duplo range,specially designed for those too young to be trusted not to swallow the smaller bricks,Lego blocks in a range of hues are displayed pick n'mix style in clear pods along one wall ,while also on sale is a range of children's clothes emblazoned with the distinctive yellow logo.

encouraging educationl play.....Supercharge your whippersnapper's cognitive development into overdrive with a range of toys designed with bambino-brain development in mind.

new parents....Mothercare is the one-stop solution for new and expectant parents.Transform your spare room into a new nursery with everything you need, all under one roof.

teenage girls....Claire's Accessories is a little slice of princess-pampering heaven.

appeasing unwilling shoppers.... Disinclined dads and indisposed infants will appreciate the cluster of shops at Egypt Court,Ibn Batutta Mall, which keeps traipsing and tantrums to a minimum.

Stockists

Cardarim Jumeirah Village Mall ,Jumeirah Beach Road.

Telephone:04 349 3333

Open 10am-10pm daily.

Beyond the Beach Mercato,Jumeirah Road.

Telephone:04 3461780

Open 9-10pm daily.

Tayidba Village Mall  Jumeirah Beach Road.

Telephone:04 349 4500

Open Sat-Thu 10-10pm, Fri 4-10pm

Open Sat - Thu 10am-10pm, Fri 2pm-10pm. Credit Amex MC,V.

With a focus on educational play, the wholesome Early Learning Centre is the perfect place to stock up on 'sensible' toys.Aimed at the under fives,the ELC has a range of items that will stimulate imagination and develop key skills in your budding genius.Designed to help children to learn to read and improve coordination, there are  also lots of toys available for road testing or chewing.Staff are patient to a fault and seem impervious to the cacophony of childish shrieks and parental frayed nerves.

Other locations: Al Ghurair City (04 228 1873), Mercato Mall (04 344 8463),Souk Madinat Jumeirah (04 368 6519),Spinneys Umm Suqeim (04 394 1204),Wafi City (04 324 2730).

Open Sat-Thu 9.30am-8.30pm;closed Fri Credit Amex  MC,V.

If you want your children to do something a little more constructive than defeating the end of level boss on the latest Mario game, Elves and Fairies offers a range of toys and art accessories designed to bring out their creative side, such as stencils, name stamps,transfer paints,hair sprays and colouring books. They may make more mess than if you plonked them in front of the TV,but they'll certainly have more fun.

Open Sat-Thu 10am-10pm;Fri 2-10pm Credit Amex MC,V.

Long gone are the dark days when loading your cyan and magenta coloured game was a frustrating ten minute wait accompanied by a shrill cacophony of electrial noise.Today's techno-tot has a variety of gaming platforms with which to  facilitate their transformation into overweight ,attention-de-ficient troublemaker.This little stor.Loacated just outside the far left end of Carrefour,has all the latest in virtual fun from PS2,Xboxes and Nintendo DS, as well as a selection of joysticks ,steering wheel add-ons and kiddie karaoke kits.

Other location:Mall of the Emirates(04 3407755).

Open Sat-Thu 10am-10pm;Fri 1-10pm Credit Amex MC,V.

Kitting out your kiddie's  kingdom needn't be a nightmare,are trolley range and crowd surges aside,Ikea's range of mini-preson beds and furniture has everything you'll  need to furnish a child's bedroom or play area.Stock up on animal print curtains complete with fluffy detachable tails,or rejoice in strange little creatures posing as comforting nightlights.Essential for whoever has the delighful privilege of stemming the chaos that is a child's playtime are bright crates,boxes and other organiser and packing of flatplack self-assembly joy;those kooky Swedish designers have obviously had far too much fun creating the bedrooms they wish they'd had as children.Little cartoony chairs in primary colours make you wish you were small enough to sit in them without testing Ikea's self-assembled strength to its limits.

Open Sat-Thu 10am-9pm;Fri 3-8pm Credit Amex MC,V.

With Dubais reputation as a non-stop party and event -throwing merry-go-round,it is only fitting that there should be a store dedicated to the lost art of holding your own bash.With a bewildering collection of helium balloons only the tip of the iceberg, you'll find everything you need to transform your home into shindig central, from party cutlery and streamers to party poppers.In addition, this gem of an outlet stocks a particularly good selection of fancy dress outfits with which to dress up your rugrat revellers.

Open Sat-Thu 9.30am-1.30pm, 4.30-9.30pm; Fri 10am-12pm,5pm-10pm Credit Amex MC,V.

What ever  the underlying philosophy behind combining flashing lights and high-pitched sounds,it seems to be a successful formula for both children and sheepish adults alike.Oversized plastic aquariums,miniature Harley Davidsons,and all manner of amusing remote controlled toys,with witch to menace and entertain,can be found here,Plasma balls and lava lamps jostle that's strangely reminiscent of an 1980s discotheque.Whether your sideboard is lacking a spectacularly tacky novelty telephone,or you feel in dire need of a comedy globe to offset your newly purchased neon clock,head here for the best of Dubai's novelty gift scene.