A toy store and play area for senior citizens has become a community outpost in eastern Beijing, helping to stimulate the minds of the city's growing population of retirement-age residents.

The store sells over 400 types of toys and games to elderly customers, from table tennis equipment that helps customers stay fit to board games that keep the mind sharp. Many are also drawn to nostalgic toys from their childhood, such as the diabolo, also known as a Chinese yo-yo.
Song Delong, the shop's owner and a former investment promoter for a TV show targeted at seniors, said that the need for entertainment is a part of human nature that does not die out in old age.
With the New Year just around the corner, Song stressed that he has many plans to expand his services in the Chinese capital.
"I have many wishes, including bringing security and more joy to the seniors. I even hope to build a large-scale amusement park to give them a bigger space to have fun," he said.
Covering 180 square meters, the store is divided into an area that displays toys for sale and another where customers can try out games and enjoy themselves.
This approach has won the loyalty of many customers from nearby communities, with many now familiar and amicable with each other, as well as each other's grandchildren who often accompany them to the play area. The sense of togetherness has given some regular customers hope for the future.
"I think things will be better off in the new year, starting from this community," said a senior customer surnamed Zhao.
"I wish to be healthy and growing younger, in terms of mentality, generally speaking. Also, I hope our community can be better off in the new year," said another visitor surnamed Wang.
Despite the difficulty in convincing toy manufacturers of the value of the senior market, Song has remained optimistic about the future of his business thanks to the genuine connections he makes with customers.
"In terms of community building, our goal is to provide a playroom for seniors in every community across the country," he said.
According to the official data, China's population aging is expected to accelerate. By the end of the year, the country's elderly population reached 270 million, equivalent to its population of children aged zero to 14 years old.