The Big Top
Family-run shop offering a wide range of wooden and traditional toys. Performers, such as clowns, jugglers and stilt walkers, can be booked for children's parties. Located in Charing Cross.
The Big Top website
Bumble Kids
Delightful shop in Pollokshields selling unusual and educational toys for babies and children, plus their own range of branded clothing. Online shopping available too from their website.
Bumble Kids website
Early Learning Centre
Good selection of educational toys. Website is helpfully organized by age and category of toy.
Early Learning Centre Store Finder
Gap
Various locations in and around Glasgow. Great for baby socks - allegedly the only ones that stay on. Bit on the pricey side, but some lovely outfits. Sizes are a bit small, so bear that in mind if you have a big baby.
Glasgow Pram Centre
Warehouse-sized shop full of prams, buggies and nursery furniture in the East End of Glasgow. Gets very busy at the weekend, and parking can be tricky, but a great place to try out a range of buggies before you buy.
Glasgow Pram Centre website
H&M
Reasonably priced clothes, and a pleasing dearth of bear/panda/giraffe logos.
H&M Glasgow stores
John Lewis
If, like me, you were completely clueless as what to buy in preparation for the big arrival, then the John Lewis nursery advice service is a godsend. Phone up and book an appointment with one of their nursery advisors, and they'll walk you round the nursery section slowly demystifying the new world that awaits you. Clearly, they want you to buy all your items at John Lewis, but there was no hard sell, just lots of useful advice. You can also put together a nursery wishlist for friends and family to buy gifts either in-store or online. Good toy section too.
John Lewis Nursery Advice Service
John Lewis Nursery List
Monsoon
A little on the pricey side, but good for special occasions. Several stores in and around Glasgow. Online shopping too.
Monsoon Store Locator
Mothercare
Various locations in and around Glasgow. Good for clothes and general maternal paraphernalia, and some stores (such as the one on Crow Rd) have a Clarks outlet for shoes. If you're buying your little one's first pair of shoes, you even get your photo taken. (I'm a sucker for a cheesy memento.)
Mothercare Store Locator
Russell & Bromley
Great selection of children's shoes, and not as expensive as you might think.
Russell & Bromley Children's Branches
Sentry box
More of a nostalgia trip for parents, this shop in the West End of Glasgow has a wonderful selection of tasteful toys. They also have a central island full of ha'penny toys, ie marbles, glow-in-the-dark balls, whoopee cushions. Great for parties.
Address: 175 Great George Street, Glasgow. Tel.: 0141 3346070.
Strawberry Fields
Long-established designer clothes shop for babies and children.
Address: 517 Great Western Rd, Glasgow. Tel.:
They certainly are. Two stores in Glasgow.
Toys 'R' Us Store Finder