Shop Local: Five Indie Toy Stores for Imaginative Birthday Gifts

If you're tired of shopping at the big box retailers, we’ve rounded up five indie toy stores that sell durable, green and (above all) imaginative toys for kids age zero... to adult.

By Sara Billups October 23, 2014

Seattle families like to play local. We have our favorite neighborhood playground, bouncy houses and covered play spaces for rainy days. And we can choose to buy marble runs, art supplies, wacky tracks and bubble machines from any of several independently-owned toy sellers offering the best birthday presents in town. If you’re ready to give the mom-and-pop stores a try, we’ve rounded up five one-of-a kind stores that sell durable, green and (above all) imaginative toys for kids age zero… to adult.

Curious Kidstuff

Curious Kidstuff’s interactive displays and train tables make it a shopping trip your kids will want to go on for a change. You’ll find wooden and green toys for little ones (birth to age 12) as well as travel toys, science toys, pull and push toys and detective and spy gear at the more than 18-year-old West Seattle store, as well as balance bikes, dollhouses and trampolines. Plus, the more than 3,000-square-foot space hosts birthday parties in a room complete with decorations, an art activity and cool take-home favor bags for guests.

4740 California Ave. S.W.
Seattle, Wa 98116
206-937-8788
Online: curiouskidstuff.com

photo: Curious Kidstuff

Don’t see your favorite indie toy store on our list? Tell us about it in a comment below.

-Sara Billups

Photo credits: Clover Toys Facebook page, Curious Kidstuff Facebook page, Retroactive Kids Store Facebook page, Planet Happy Toys website, Top Ten Toys Facebook page & Wee Tots Facebook page