It’s not glamorous, and like all the city’s markets, be it
Fake or
Fabric, the Neon Children’s Market is frequently clogged with people and
stalls. But for a one-stop shop, this subterranean Puan Lu spot is hard
to beat. Whether it’s a bike, a foam-bullet shooting Nerf gun, a Barbie
doll, a model car, it’s all here. Some shops are more like warehouses,
metal shelves stacked high with goods, but the upshot is an excellent
range. Don’t expect any price tags on any of the toys; instead, bring
your haggling A-game as the prices are all negotiable, meaning you make
some decent savings compared to shops in Shanghai’s malls.
Another
bonus to visiting the Neon Children’s Market are the distractions for kids.
There are various mini carousels and kids rides for them to enjoy. Even
better is the – to give its full name – Neon Children’s Playground House
(open 10am-6pm, Mon-Fri; 10am-7pm weekends). It costs 35RMB/child and an
extra 10RMB if an adult wishes to accompany them in. The play area
features the usual mix of ball pools, slides and space to run around in.
It looks like a slightly more tardy version of
Kerry Parkside’s
Adventure Zone. Yet, while it doesn’t meet those high standards, it’s
certainly much cheaper and gifts parents a pit stop if they’ve just been
dragged through numerous stores looking for that ideal toy.
Read Time Out Family's roundup of Shanghai's best toy stores here.
