London shopping: Buggies & Bikes

September 13, 2007

London shopping: Buggies & Bikes

What’s this? A Bratz-Free Zone? Well, I never. But it’s true, and this toy shop in Hackney is still pulling the kids (and the parents) in with its unique stock of locally-produced goods and products sourced from niche companies around the world.

It’s the perfect destination for picking up a cool gift for your favourite under-12, with a plethora of innovative and educational toys. While this might sound like death-by-dodgy-craft to your average 10-year-old, I’d dare them to not find the love for a remote-controlled moon light (that surreptitiously teaches them the phases of the moon while they’re NOT going to sleep). Nifty.

And I reckon the African xylophone and bongo drums (£16.50) will also do a bangin’ job in extracting them from the X-Box. Create your own Partridge family, noughties-style. Rock on.

The hero products of the store (and hence its namesake) are the collection of beautifully designed German wooden trikes, bikes and walkers. But if you’re on a tight budget or after quality party bag fillers, look out for the RSPCA animal figurines from £2 and the collection of felt fruit & veg for £1.

I like the woven retro-style mini saucer chair from Africa, and the clever range of felt creatures made by a local mum who brings to life her son’s imaginative drawings.

The other big drawcard is the glorious range of children’s fashion, which features many locally-produced brands, like Edge & Jo, a Hackney-based co-op that makes batik-print frocks and matching pants. Christa Davis is another local who makes an ultra-sweet range of vintage and Liberty print dresses for little girls.

If you’re after babywear, look out for the small rack of woollen and cotton hand-knitted pieces. Apparently a Scottish Gran is largely responsible for this adorable range, which includes knitted cardies, all-in-ones and an ultra-cute striped knit pinafore. There’s also a small collection of vintage baby clothes.