The Model Shop

The Model Shop is one of the best known toy retailers in Malta, and for a UK family it works rather like a home-grown version of a high street toy chain: aisles of LEGO, board games, dolls, ride-on cars and craft kits, with a busy online shop alongside the stores. The outlet listed here sits at The Plaza on Pjazza Navona in Is-Swieqi, one of nine branches spread from Gozo to the south of the main island.

If you are planning a family trip, our directory of toy shops in Malta shows where else to look for toys, and the shop's wide range makes it a useful first stop when a child has left a favourite soft toy at home.

A family business since 1983

The shop began in 1983, when John Camilleri and a business partner decided the country needed a specialist toy and hobby store. They built an upmarket shop in Iklin that quickly became known for service and range, and John later bought out his partner and took over running it. The Iklin outlet was refurbished in 2015 and now covers more than 650 square metres.

Growth followed steadily. Paola opened in September 2015 and Luqa two years later, bringing the same range to the south. The Duke's Shopping Mall outlet in Gozo opened in April 2018 with over 180 square metres, Ibraġ followed that December, and a two-floor, 600 square metre store opened in St Paul's Bay in November 2020. Bay Street in St Julian's and Zejtun opened in April 2021, and The Plaza completes the nine-outlet line-up.

The stated mission is to nurture fun and creativity in every child, and to stock products that help learning through play.

What you can buy

The range is wide. The website sorts it into creative and educational activities, playsets and role play, building and construction, action and movement toys, games and music, baby and toddler toys and soft toys. There is also a gift finder where you choose a child's age band, from 0 to 18 months up to 9 and over, and a budget.

LEGO is a speciality, with sets for different ages and interests from City and Technic to Creator and Star Wars. Educational lines include Montessori style flashcards, puzzles and science kits, while arts and crafts covers play dough, painting and bead sets. Soft toys, a Tonies audio range and trending items such as squishy toys and mystery dumplings at €12.99 appear on the home page.

Gift vouchers are sold, which suits grandparents and visitors who do not know a child's tastes.

Outdoor, summer and ride-on toys

Outdoor play is a large part of the offer: tents, slides and swings, play houses, trampolines, kites, scooters, bicycles and trikes. The battery ride-on section lists children's cars and vehicles in 6V, 12V and 24V versions.

Summer lines include paddling pools, above-ground pools, inflatables, goggles and snorkels and beach toys, which makes sense on an island with some of the best beaches in Malta. Check the Malta weather guide to see when the sea is warm enough to need them.

Shopping online and in store

Products are marked as in stock online, in stock in the outlets, or available on request. Prices are shown including VAT, and delivery is free when you spend €45 or more. Orders placed before noon, Monday to Sunday, are promised for next-day delivery within Malta. There is also a price match guarantee.

Because the stores are spread around the island, the nearest branch is rarely far. Visitors based in Gozo can use the Duke's Shopping Mall outlet, and our Gozo guide covers the island itself. Families planning days out will find more in our guide to things to do in Malta, and the Adventure Hub children's activities page lists another option for younger visitors. For children's clothing, see Accessorize and Monsoon Children.

Planning a trip with children

Most visitors do not need to pack much for a child: you can buy beach toys, a first bike or a rainy-day game on arrival. Our Malta holidays overview and guide on flights to Malta from the UK help with the wider plan, and about Malta gives background on the islands.

To ask the business about an outlet, a product or a gift, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to The Model Shop.