Moreover, beading helps hone fine-motor skills in young children, even toddlers, and it can provide hours of quiet enjoyment - as long as you keep stocked up on supplies.

We've often heard the lament that Hong Kong is no longer a shoppers' paradise, but this isn't altogether true. You just need to be specific, and go to certain streets for certain things.

The area around Prince Edward, on Kowloon side, has the Fa Yuen Street ladies' market, where you can find bargains in clothes and shoes. On my last visit, I came across scrapbook supplies and wool by the pound - a treasure trove for craft-lovers. One street over, and there's nothing but pet shops. You get the picture.

Shamshuipo is beader's heaven, with shop after shop selling all manner of jewellery-making paraphernalia. The Tin Fu Button Factory, at 223 G/F Yu Chau Street, and Accessory Republic just a few doors down at 213-217 (shop D), have a great array of beads that you buy by the ounce. The assortment must be in the thousands: different kinds of beads piled into plastic buckets or sacks. They line the walls and tables, and spill onto the floor. Plastic, glass, crystal, wood - any bead you've ever seen in your life and many that you haven't can be found in these shops.

You can also buy leather rope, silken cord and chain by the inch, and clasps. Some shops have benches, on which you can sit down and make your jewellery together on the spot, or staff will do it for you.

In case you're wondering what you can do with the kilometres of strung beads your children will produce, try these suggestions: curtain tiebacks; chimes; mobiles for babies; beaded curtains; Christmas tree ornaments; necklaces for grandparents with the names of all the grandkids spelled out (in case they forget); and ID rings for luggage.

Need a special necklace for a party? Just ask your daughter to whip you up something to match your dress. She'll be happy to oblige. And when you can buy bags of glittery beads for a few dollars, who says you need to string them up? You can use beads as you would glitter; covering picture frames, for example. Imagination knows no bounds, as they say.

How to get there: Take the MTR to Shamshuipo and leave through Exit A. This will bring you up to Pei Ho Street. Walk straight ahead to the corner and you're at Yu Chau Street. Cross the street, turn left and you're there.

Verdict: A hidden gem