Mothers, where do you shop for toys and books in Singapore?

[Jelly Bean]

Hello, mothers! I am a mother of a 4 yr old and we are going to relocate soon. I would like to know where do you shop for children's toys and books (with reasonable prices) in SG? I found the books at Borders are over priced than the average. Any information you can share with me?

Also would you advice me to pack all the books and toys than buying them in SG? I am in the middle of packing but am overwhelmed with so much of stuff and they exceeded our luggage weight limit. I've already donated some to charity and community centre. Some of the books and toys had been very precious and both dd and I are having a hard time to let them go
How did you do it? Would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

-First Time On Relocation-
JB

[viajera]

we brought all my books to singapore only because they were not english. we had them (toys, too) sent along with the rest of our shipment. if this is too late in your case (you mentioned "luggage", which i take to be the ones you're going to check into the plane with you), perhaps you can send the absolute must-keeps by post?

you won't have a hard time finding english books and toys here, so just bring the ones you really really can't bear to part with !

[ching]

I'm not a mom but buy a lot of gifts for baby showers

We usually buy baby toys at United Square near Novena MRT station - they have a number of specialty shops catering to moms and young kids.

[micknlea]

Well I didn't give ours up, I brought all of ours with us, the books that is, paid for them to come in the shipment as we were not sure what would be available, and I (and mykids) love books.

Not sure where you are coming from but the books at Borders etc seem pretty much the same price as elsewhere when converting, in fact some are cheaper.

There are a few book store chains here as well as Borders, but the prices are pretty similar. Toy shops much the same too. There are some specialist places with lovely toys, but you pay the price, and others are around like Toys R Us etc.

[guru]

One option worth considering is toy rental. It means you don't have to spend vast sums on toys or equipment that your child may soon grow out of. Cuts down on clutter too. And if you're thinking about buying something but are undecided, you can always "test drive" it by renting and watching your kids' response.

The Toy Rental Club (http://www.toyrentalclub.com) in Pasir Panjang seems to have the largest stock and their storage unit also serves as an indoor playground. They even do stuff like travel systems (plane booster seat that converts to a stroller and a carseat). But there are a couple of other online rental places too, so have a look around.

[New SAHM]

Hi Jelly Bean,

I've bought quite a lot of books at Kinokuniya at Ngee Ann City for my toddler. Prices are similar to Borders but the selection is better and if you apply for the membership card ($20 for a year) you can get 10% off all year round and from time to time 20% off. It's pretty worth it if you are avid readers. The only drawback is that most of the books are wrapped up... sadly that is the only way to prevent people from treating the bookshop like a public library!

I've also tried the website www.acmamall.com, prices are pretty competitive but there's a delivery charge unless you buy up to a certain amount.

Bookaburra at Forum The Shopping Mall is a nice children's book store but not exactly cheap.

[sherlockian21]

There is also another Singapore online bookstore that sells children books. Google OpenTrolley Bookstore.

[durain]

dad knows best where to buy toys and books

go to bras basah complex for books (http://bras-basah-complex.com.sg/bbc/index.asp)

for toys, go to the usual stores like toys r us, departmental store toys section (giant, carrefour, taka, isetan, etc) and your local stores. also, go over the causeway to JB.

[hbw65]

I would say bring all of your toys and books. Things are quite expensive here as most get imported - books are from the US, UK and Australia. Toys are from the US and UK as everything from there is usually non-toxic etc.... . We pay a premium and I have yet to find a reasonably priced place for this stuff.