These are the best NYC toy stores to find unique gifts for the kiddos in your life
Looking for a way to make a kid smile while also supporting a local New York City business? Get some toys from your neighborhood NYC toy store. Whether the kids could use some upgraded gear in the playroom, there’s a big birthday coming up, or you need a LEGO kit delivered, stat, we found several NYC toy stores (and some in the Hamptons) that are just adorable.
1. FAO Schwarz
Shop at this classic NYC toy store and find just what you need! Famed FAO Schwarz has been in existence since 1862, and it has an extensive collection of items, especially large plush animals and a wide variety of candy. Even if you're just window-shopping, this spot qualifies as a must-visit attraction for locals and tourists alike. Be sure to say hello to the toy soldier and tap your feet on the iconic giant piano dance mat (you may recall it from the Tom Hanks flick, Big).
30 Rockefeller Plaza
Midtown
Online: faoschwarz.com
2. CAMP: A Family Experience
CAMP: A Family Experience has all sorts of collections, from your favorite Disney characters and even Paw Patrol. Although the Union Square outpost is the brand's flagship, you can explore the different camps—family-friendly sessions filled with interactive games, challenges, and adventures—that they have at their different locations. Popular examples include Art Camp and Cosmic Camp. Plus, parents can buy all sorts of items (we'd recommend the CAMP brand t-shirts) and lots of other apparel from their own line.
110 Fifth Ave.
Union Square
Online: camp.com
3. Mary Arnold Toys
Founded in 1931, Mary Arnold Toys is a truly classic local toy store with an amazing selection. You can knock off every young one on your holiday gift list at this toy store, and if you end up buying more than you can carry, the store offers free local delivery and free gift wrapping.
1178 Lexington Ave.
Upper East Side
Online: maryarnoldtoys.com
4. Kidding Around
Chelsea's go-to toy store is a great spot for sustainable and wooden toys from companies like Plan, Haba, and Hape, as well as cute and cuddly stuffies, PLAYMOBIL, creative kits, STEM toys, and more. You can also shop by age, category, and collection. Unlike many modern toy stores, Kidding Around will remind most parents (and grandparents) of toy stores from when they were young.
60 W. 15th St.
Chelsea
Online: kiddingaroundtoys.com
Related: Fall Day Trips from NYC That You Still Have Time to Take
5. Big Fun Toys
The New Jersey shop is stocked with everything from PLAN toys to LEGO to stuffies and gear for outdoor fun.
702 Arnold Ave.
Pleasant Beach, NJ
Online: bigfuntoys.com
6. Boomerang Toys
Can't make it to downtown Manhattan's Boomerang Toys? Not to worry. The business, which has been in operation since 2002, is delivering! Just peruse the Tribeca toy store's website, which features everything from puzzles to scooters to LEGO and building kits to lots of trains, and place your order.
119 W. Broadway
Tribeca
Online: boomerangtoys.com
Related: 101 Things to Do in NYC With Kids
7. Norman & Jules
Yet another Brooklyn-area toy store (hey, there are a lot of kids there!), Norman & Jules specializes in chic and modern-looking toys, STEM activities and sets and wooden toys from brands like Grimm and Grapat. Your kiddos will be stylin' and having a blast with the adorable toys from this store.
68 Third St.
Brooklyn
Online: normanandjules.com
8. Piccoliny
For toys for the tiniest of New Yorkers, check out Piccoliny. The hip downtown store is stocked with super hip NYC-centric onesies, T-shirts, and baby toys (as well as lots of other cute clothes and gifts). Know someone with a newborn? Here's where to go for the classic, every New-York-baby-must-own "I LOVE NYC" tee.
167 Mott St.
Nolita
Online: piccolinyshop.com
9. Stevenson's Toys & Games
Away to the Hamptons for the weekend and need a last-minute gift? Stevenson's Toys can hook you up. The store is also taking orders online for shipment, local delivery, and curbside pickup. They are stocked up with puzzles of varying degrees of difficulty, LEGO kits, board games, and lots of toys for outdoor fun. (You can even order up a trampoline if you need one.)
69 Jobs Ln.
Southhampton
Online: stevensonstoys.com
Related: 30 Things You Have to Do in NYC Before Baby Turns One
10. Little Things Toy Store
When you arrive, trust us that you're going to need a moment to stop and take this store in. Little Things Toy Store has got oodles of puzzles, crafting and activity kits, games, and Micro Kickboard scooters. The store also carries a wide range of LEGO. In fact, Little Things is a LEGO Gold Standard Store. The status, given to only a select few stores throughout the country, allows for new and exclusive LEGO sets and events you won't find anywhere else.
159 Seventh Ave.
Park Slope, Brooklyn
Online: littlethingstoystore.com
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