Big game hunting
Forget Wii, Tamagotchi and Bratz. Some old-school toys have stood the test of time... and better yet, you can still buy them. Resli Buchel goes shopping
Mashing it up for three generations now
Games Paradise
If you played it when you were young, your kids can find it here. Aside from an enormous range of newer games, this store stocks all the old-school favourites. Hungry, Hungry Hippos ($36.95), Operation ($36.95), Monopoly ($39.95), Cluedo ($39.95), Guess Who ($34.95), Trivial Pursuit (kids version $49.95), and Battleship ($24.95) are all permanently available at Games Paradise, along with their more contemporary counterparts (e.g. Disney Monopoly, The Simpsons Operation). Old-school icons, Twister ($36.95) and Mr Potato Head ($18.95) are on the shelves too.
Shop 2, 343-357 Pitt St, Sydney 2000. (02 9267 2069). Mon-Wed & Fri 10am-6pm; Thu 10am-8.30pm; Sat 10am-5.30pm; Sun 11am-4pm. (Also located at Warringah Mall).
Hobbyco
Hobbyco isn't truly a kids toy store, but they do stock some of the best old school toys in Sydney. Their kites (from $12.25) and jigsaw puzzles (from $12.50) capture the simplicity of another age, as well as the interest of the rugrats. And the train sets aren't just for grown ups with miniature carriages starting at $8.25. Hobbyco also sells spectacular dolls houses (kits from $142.50) with an incredible array of accessories (from $2.75), and two of the most old-school toys around: Lego (from $7.95) and Tonka Trucks (from $18.95).
Shop 50, Levels 2 & 3, Queen Victoria Building, 429-481 George St, Sydney 2000. (02 9264 4877). Mon-Fri. 10am-6pm; Sat & Sun 11am-5pm. (Also located at Rhodes and Macarthur Square).
Retro Antiques Retail Store
This Randwick antique store is filled with cool old school goodies for grown ups, including vintage pinball machines, cocktail shakers and jukeboxes. However, little fans of retro fun will love the colourful (and durable) pedal cars, taxis, fire trucks and airplanes priced from $675.
Retro Antiques Retail Store 160 Clovelly Rd, Randwick 2031. (02 9399 9246). Tue-Sat. 10am-5pm.
Terrific Scientific
This inner west toy store aims to "be an antidote to stereotyped mass market ideas of what interests children," and focuses on hands-on scientific toys such as the Double Helix Kitchen Chemistry Set ($19.95) and the Kidz Labs Volcano Making Kit ($16.95). The Bug Keeper ($9.80) and Ant Farm ($24) are both inter-generational favourites, but you can't go past the Klutz Book of Paper Aeroplanes ($24.95) when it comes to old-school fun.
Terrific Scientific 51 Booth St, Annandale 2038. (02 9692 9206). Mon-Fri. 10am-5.30pm; Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10am-4pm.
Variety Trading
Known across Sydney as the best value outlet for cubbies, trikes and outdoor toys, Variety Trading stocks a wide range of backyard play equipment, including old-style swing sets from $167.60 and trampolines from $173.25. The stylish chrome and black Retrotrike valued at $207.85 is a particular favourite in the Time Out Sydney office.
Variety Trading 68 Orange Grove Rd, Liverpool 2170. (02 9602 8496). Mon-Fri. 9.30am-5pm; Sat 9.30am-2.30pm