How bad an idea is it to take 4 year olds to Hamley's?

[Verytubbycustard]

Hi,

My 4 year old twins had their birthday in the summer and got some birthday money - £30 each. They haven't spent it yet. They have an inset day coming up, and I was thinking of a day in London, including a trip to Hamley's. I've not been there since I was little. Wondering if it would be a really bad idea for two reasons. Firstly, is it really expensive, or will they be able to find things they can spend their £30 on? Secondly, will they go absolutely crazy in there? I used to go regularly when I was a kid, but I have a feeling I was a better behaved kid than they are.....

I have other things in mind that we could do, but I'd like them to visit an actual toy shop to spend their money, and there aren't any decent ones near where we live.

Thanks!!

I took my three feeling terrified that they’d go nuts and want to buy everything.

I told them they could have ONE thing each and not a ‘big thing’. As we walked round I would say ‘that’s a big thing’ and ‘that’s fine, you could choose that’.

I could have wept with joy when they just picked tiny things costing less than a £5 and they really loved all the demos, and I bought them a few extra things as a surprise.

It was great. Hamleys is just lovely.

I took my then 3 year old and 7 year old last Christmas. They loved it! We told them they could choose one small thing each. It took them ages to choose but that was part of the fun. We are really planning on going again this Christmas. My kids don’t tend to go crazy in shops though. I’ve a friend who wouldn’t dare take hers there as they would be a nightmare.

I took my three and a half year old to the Glasgow one (where we live) last year and told him to pick any toy. He was quite overwhelmed and spent ages looking, after about an hour he chose a £4 plastic dolphin!

There is a range of prices so you'll definitely get something for £30, or £60 if they want to pool resources. I've found that my kids find it really hard to choose in that situation though and especially the DS mentioned above gets a bit panicky if he can't pick.

Last time I went the prices were seriously inflated vs RRP

Yep agree - everything is so much more expensive. Perhaps go for the experience but their money will go further in JL around the corner.

Yes, I was worried it would be pricey. I'd rather they got the best value for their money, but I just remember it being such a magical place when I was young.

Maybe I could give them just £10 each for something small (they don't understand how much they have or what it could buy) and then they've got £20 to get something reasonably priced from elsewhere.

Hamleys is interactive and loads to see for all ages.. even up to 99 years old... You will find something for sure. Allow a long time there. Get a red bag and let them put things in and at end you can decide.

It IS a lot of fun but it's been ruined by money hungry concession demonstrators. (I used to be one) watch the demos but avoid phrases like "we might come back" if you like something put it in a red bag and decide later or if you dont like it just say thank you and walk to the next thing.