If you’re looking for a Hout Bay toy store that has something for every age and every occasion, Star Dot Toys in Mainstream Mall has been the answer for 29 years.
Twenty-nine years in retail is a long time, and Star Dot Toys has spent each one keeping up with what kids want. From timeless classics to the latest trends on children’s wish lists, the store remains relevant, well-stocked, and the first place Hout Bay families turn to for birthdays and special occasions.
We caught up with owner Anne Geeling to learn how it all began and to hear about the most popular toys right now.
How Star Dot Toys Began
Anne grew up on a farm where the outdoors kept her more than entertained, but by the time she had kids of her own she was living in Hout Bay — smaller and more village-like than it is today, but full of young families, and not a toy store in sight. Anyone who wanted to buy toys had to drive out of town. So when Mainstream Mall opened, Anne saw the gap and filled it.
If you’ve ever wondered about the name, it comes from Anne’s background in computer science. Star Dot Toys is her nod to the dot-com era.
This June marks 29 years in business and 1 year at their current location in Mainstream Mall, between MTN and Vodacom, and opposite NAP Living.
Star Dot Toys Hout Bay — 29 Years of Getting It Right
What keeps a toy store going for nearly three decades? Anne says it’s simple: variety, quality, and something no website can match — the experience of being in the store. There’s a special kind of wonder when a child walks into a well-stocked toy shop, and no amount of scrolling on a phone can compare.
There’s something special about being part of a community for so many years. Mothers who once shopped here for their children now return to buy for their grandchildren. Some kids who grew up with Star Dot Toys are now shopping for their own little ones. That kind of loyalty can’t be manufactured; it comes from getting things right year after year.
The Hout Bay Toy Store That Has It All
One reason Star Dot Toys stands out is its wide product range. This store doesn’t just cater to one age group and hope for the best.
Star Dot Toys truly caters to every age. For babies and toddlers, there are push-along toys and sturdy board books made to withstand little hands. As children grow, the selection grows with them.
The Djeco section is perfect for creative kids. This French brand is known for its beautiful and imaginative activity sets, including scratch art, collage kits, colouring galleries, transfer prints, and games like Bug It and P’tit Market. These are as lovely to look at as they are to play.
For kids who enjoy a mental challenge, there’s a great selection of smart games that build concentration, spatial thinking, and problem-solving skills. The classics like Monopoly, Scrabble, and Uno are still on the shelves, now joined by newer games such as Exploding Kittens and Kluster, that have found their own enthusiastic following.
Puzzles range from a few chunky pieces for toddlers to 1000-piece challenges for older kids and adults. The botanical Lego range, with complex builds of nearly 300 pieces, has become especially popular with adults. Adult colouring books are also available for anyone who enjoys relaxing with a creative activity.
What’s Hot at Star Dot Toys Right Now
Hot Wheels is always popular, and the current range proves it. From individual die-cast cars to stunt tracks and the Shark Chomp Transporter, the display always grabs kids’ attention.
Toy Story figurines are having a moment with Toy Story 5 in cinemas, FIFA card collections are big with the Soccer World Cup on the horizon, and Pokémon — now in its 30th year — shows absolutely no sign of fading. Star Dot Toys stocks the newest collection, Chaos Rising.
Sylvanian Families remain a favourite, with a selection that goes far beyond figurines. There are full room sets, a Rainbow Nursery Bus, a Family Campervan, and an Ice Cream Cart, among others.
The stationery section is also worth checking out, with kawaii-style notebooks, character erasers, novelty pens, capybara sticky notepads, and Giotto art supplies. It’s much more fun than it sounds and makes a great gift on its own.
For dress-up, there are plenty of costumes, including fairy princesses, witches, Wonder Woman, and firefighters, along with soft toys and helium balloons. And then there are squishies. If you haven’t tried one yet, be warned: after a few squeezes and a poke at a jelly-like gem shape, I left the store with two. They are just as addictive for adults as they are for kids.
Find Your Next Favourite Toy in Hout Bay
Whether you’re shopping for a birthday, looking for something to keep the kids busy, or just curious about what’s new, Star Dot Toys is worth a visit. You might even leave with a squishy or two.
You can find them in Mainstream Mall on Main Road, Hout Bay, between MTN and Vodacom and opposite NAP Living.
Monday to Friday: 9am – 6pm
Saturday: 9am – 4pm
Sunday & Public Holidays: 10am – 2pm
Is there a toy store in Hout Bay?
Yes. Star Dot Toys in Mainstream Mall is Hout Bay’s dedicated toy store, with 29 years of experience helping families find the right gift for every age and occasion.
Where is Star Dot Toys located?
Star Dot Toys is in Mainstream Mall on Main Road, Hout Bay — between MTN and Vodacom, opposite NAP Living.
What toys does Star Dot Toys sell?
Star Dot Toys stocks a wide range including Lego, Hot Wheels, Sylvanian Families, Pokémon, puzzles, board games, Djeco creative activity sets, smart games, dress-up costumes, soft toys, stationery and more.
What age groups does Star Dot Toys cater for?
All of them. From push-along toys and board books for babies and toddlers to complex Lego sets, puzzles and games for older kids and adults — there is something for every age.
Is Star Dot Toys suitable for adults?
Very much so. The botanical Lego range, 1000-piece puzzles, adult colouring books and smart games have all found a strong adult following. And if you visit, try to walk past the squishies without buying one.