Amelia WilliamsI swear, there’s nothing more stressful than shopping for kids’ gifts. Every trip to a toy store comes with shelves stacked to the ceiling and prices that make me wince.
The worst part? No single store seems to have everything I need. One kid’s gift is here, another kid’s there. I end up hopping from store to store to tick everything off.
When I talked this over with my Auckland Magazine team, we realised we’d all been through the same struggles. So we set out to do something about it: we searched, shopped, and compared until we found the best toy stores in Auckland.
If you’re gearing up for gift shopping, check out our list below. Trust us, they’re the real deal!
How much do toys cost in Auckland?
The cost of toys in Auckland ranges from $20 to $50 for small to medium toys, while specialty sets can cost at least $70. Prices during peak seasons like Christmas tend to increase.
1. Evermore Toys Auckland
Location: 62 Lunn Avenue, Mount Wellington
Contact: +64 9 570 1495
Opening Hours: Monday – Tuesday, Thursday – Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM, Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
The thing we liked the most about Evermore Toys is that it’s a true toy store for kids. The selection is massive – little ones can shop for all kinds of playthings like wooden toys, puzzles, and dollhouses.
The best part is that they also have a decent selection for teens and adults. It’s also a great place to score limited edition LEGO sets, Star Wars collectibles, Animal Crossing sets, and more.
Compared to most toy stores in the area, however, we felt that the prices for certain items were slightly higher. At least, the customer experience more than makes up for it – the store itself is welcoming, and has a nice, playful vibe for kids.
The same positive experience can be said about their online shop. There are many features for flexibility like their click-and-collect options for those who want to secure their goods fast.
Delivery is also fast across NZ.
We find the staff helpful and knowledgeable, offering recommendations based on age type and safety guidelines. It’s definitely a nice touch for those who prefer a highly personalised experience.
Blown away by the experience
“Best customer service even with an online order pick up – was blown away by their instore selection from kids to adults. plus the free gift wrapping was so amazing. Thank you ✨”
Cal | Google Review
Patient and encouraging
“It’s my favourite store to buy gifts. When i am in the city i always try to pop in to the store as i know i can get things which are so different, moreover, i will get professional help in deciding what kind of toy is the best for a particular child.”
Maxim G | Google Review
2. Kidzstuffonline
Location: 16 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead
Contact: +64 9 480 8192
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
We liked the wide variety of selection at Kidzstuffonline, ranging from creative, educational, and outdoor toys. There are even a few select tech gifts for teens, making it a great stop for various ages.
Mainly operating online, their ordering process is a breeze, and we experienced no hiccups during our tests. Other buyers’ experience confirms this – deliveries were fast and reliable, often arriving within 2 to 3 business days.
The cost of products is also a major draw here, especially for those seeking to buy in bulk as gifts. They’re some of the most affordable we’ve encountered in the city, though this is mostly for mass-produced options.
They do have special, unique offerings too.
Communication is great, in fact, better than most we’ve tried across multiple channels. We tested out sending inquiries through their social media accounts and received replies in just a few minutes.
Being primarily an online store, buyers will miss out on the shopping experience, as well as the chance to assess the quality of products. This would’ve been great for kids, though we still find it great for parents who don’t have time to shop in-store.
Excellent service
“Excellent service, very quick to contact once I made my purchase also quick to send my purchase. I bought the loverly Mary Lou doll for my new niece, such an iconic children’s toy and so nice to be able to still get these special toys. Highly recommend.”
Olwen Williams | Google Review
Really cares about customers
“Such a lovely local kids shop! They have a great variety of toys, from creative and educational options to fun outdoor and wooden toys. The owner is amazing, she’s so friendly, helpful and really cares about finding the right things for your child. Highly recommend if you’re in the area!”
Ara Monifi | Google Review
3. Toyworld Henderson
Location: 56 Railside Avenue, Henderson
Contact: +64 9 838 3424
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
When it comes to toys that offer great value for money, Toyworld is a solid choice. Not only are the toys affordable, but they also offer frequent promotions and discounts of up to 50% on big-ticket toys.
Even without the discounts, we find the shopping experience here pleasant, from the neatly displayed toys to the welcoming staff. Speaking of which, we find them very helpful and knowledgeable, especially when recommending toys based on age groups.
There are also thoughtful extras that we loved, including gift wrapping services for a small extra fee. And if that’s not enough, they have a lovely dog named Bruno who’s just able to take the stress away from busy shopping periods.
After-sales support is excellent. Our team noted that product exchanges are handled well and fast. For issues, especially mechanically-related faults, they’re quick to provide resolutions, too, wherever possible, of course.
The only downside we noted is that there’s an occasional shortage for popular items and toy brands like LEGO and Pokémon. It also feels too crowded during busy seasons, though we think we can say the same for most of the shops here.
Has it all
“We were so late to a birthday and were stuck on what to buy. I was also worried we would need to find wrapping paper somewhere. I tell you, this store has it all! Raman was so lovely. Not only did she help us pick something out for our birthday boy, but she wrapped it so beautifully for a small fee! AMAZING SERVICE!!!”
Stephanie Stanley | Google Review
Easy process
“This Henderson store – Great service . Easy exchange – No Hassles. Was initially discouraged with the return process (toy had a mechanical glitch) but staff “Raman” did not take a second more than the necessary time to eventually offer replacement. staff “Gagan” also very understanding . Let us in the store seconds before closing time only to hear us out on the issue we had . Took notes and followed up the very next day. 👍🏽”
Ivan Sharma | Google Review
4. Jumpin Jacks Toys
Location: 16 Beach Haven Road, Beach Haven
Contact: +64 21 299 3300
Jumpin Jacks Toys is a great spot for those who want to explore a wide-ranging selection of toys. Their products lean toward the more educational side, with a few of them even featuring NZ themes for a local touch.
One of our most favourite things about them is their reliable and fast shipping that is available nationwide. We appreciate the clear and affordable pricing too – $8 for deliveries in the metro area and $13 for rural deliveries.
We loved how efficient their team is as well. In fact, one client experienced issues with their online payment, and they dealt with the bank directly to address the issue.
And if an item isn’t available, buyers can also make a request, and the staff will source it.
The prices of the products themselves are competitive – some items are slightly higher than those in other shops, while others are relatively cheaper. We do like the occasional discounts, which make seasonal toys more affordable for special days.
Take note, popular items can sell out quickly, so it’s best to shop ahead of time during the holidays.
Super easy to deal with
“I’ve just completed our third or fourth order with Jumpin’ Jacks Toys. As always, they’re super easy to deal with and shipping is quick! There was an issues with their website not processing my payment, that was sorted quickly with Joanne providing their bank details and processing the order that way. Highly recommend!”
Kellie Brown | Google Review
Awesome products
“Quick response time, easy to chat to, came make up mystery boxes if needed which come with awesome products”
Alana Bracken | Google Review
