Whether you’re nine years old or ninety years old, toy stores never get old. Sure, you’ve seen all the usual dolls and LEGO kits in every department store in your city, but you can never grow out of real toy stores. We just take our kids as an excuse to go play… right?
If you agree with every word I just said, then you should definitely make a trip or two to see the most amazing toy stores in the United States. From New York City to San Francisco, there are some incredible toy stores selling gum eyeballs, life-sized Barbie houses, and more!
Read on to learn about the coolest toy stores in America.
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Playthings, Etc. calls itself “The World’s Coolest Toy store.” This might seem like a pretty tall claim, but walk through the doors, and you’ll start believing it. This isn’t one of those toy stores that says you can look but not touch. Nope—everything is a game in this store! Walk into the futuristic building that houses the store, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by fun for everyone.
It's filled with the coolest, most unique toys you'll find anywhere, and there are over 6000 to choose from, making this one of the most famous toy stores in the United States.
Address: 2483 William Flynn Hwy, Butler, PA 16001
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Does the phrase “World’s Largest Train Store” excite you? Then you should definitely make a trip to Charles Ro Supply Company. This huge toy store looks just like a train station, and it is filled with every kind of train toy you can imagine! Climb the stairs to the second level to see an intricate train set in motion. This store is mostly geared toward collectors, but there’s always something magical in store for kids as well.
Address: 662 Cross St, Malden, MA 02148
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Although FAO Schwarz is no longer in business, it’s still worth taking a trip down memory lane to commemorate this incredible toy store. If you never visited this store in real life, you’ll almost certainly see it in the movies. The huge floor piano was part of a scene in the movie "Big", and it was also the set for Duncan’s Toy Chest in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. This incredible toy store was a popular tourist destination, as well as a local favorite. It had life-sized games, dolls, and more, plus just about any toy you could imagine!
Explore the collection of unique Fao Schwarz toys online at Amazon.
Address: 767 5th Ave, New York, NY 10153
While Toys R Us Times Square (along with their Ferris wheel) has recently moved out of Times Square, it’s back for holidays! Visit this sorely-missed icon when you travel to New York City this year. You’ll find three levels of shopping, including favorites like LEGO and Nintendo, plus an animatronic dinosaur! Your kids can even hang out in a play area after you’re done looking around.
Check out the popular Toys”R”Us toys online at Amazon.
Address: 1466 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
For the historical fiction fans in the audience, this place brings back many memories of fun and longing. The toys at this store are based on a line of books, dolls, and accessories that teach girls about different time periods in American history. The line has expanded to include modern dolls other toys, but the spirit is the same. Let your imagination take flight at Chicago’s American Girl Place, where you’ll find thousands of toys, plus a doll salon, restaurants, museums, and more!
Check out the wide range of American Girl dolls online at Amazon.
Accommodation: Where to stay in Chicago
Address: 835 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
You’ve never seen a toy store like this before. This store carries an astounding variety of toys, from classic favorites to stuff you never thought would exist, like Super Mario teethers and alpaca stickers. You could even buy slug finger puppets. Why would you want a slug finger puppet, you ask? We don’t know, but you can find a package of these at Toy Joy, plus a million other things you didn’t know you needed.
Address: 403 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
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This place isn’t just a toy store. It’s a family fun emporium! You can, of course, find toys of all kinds here. But you can also see the toys being made in the workshop! When you’re done there, you can play mini-golf or take a carousel ride. You’ll also love the imaginative bookstore, where you can find a wide array of children’s books and a few cozy reading corners. Parents and grandparents will be sure to have fun taking their kids through Memory Lane, a collection of vintage toys housed in brightly-painted little storefronts.
Address: 63604 170th Ave, Kellogg, MN 55945
San Francisco’s iconic Embarcadero Center is home to one of the West Coast’s best toy stores. Want to cuddle up with a life-sized stuffed lion? Read a favorite book? Build a marble run? This is the place to do it! This store carries endless options for toys, including toys imported from Europe and limited edition collectors’ items. Ambassador Toys also gifts wraps everything you need, a service that is very popular with customers. Be sure to stop by while you’re touring San Francisco’s famous buildings.
Address: 186 W Portal Ave, San Francisco, California, CA 94127
Like dinosaurs? You will love this! The Dinosaur Farm has everything you can imagine with a dino twist. Find a ridiculous variety of dino figurines that even dinosaur experts would be impressed with, and buy anything –mug, shirt, napkins – with dinosaur designs. You can even find huge dinosaur inflatables! Of course, your smallest paleontologists will love the educational games and toys. You can find plenty of fun activity kits that will teach kids more about their favorite extinct lizards.
Address: 1510 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030
This store is for lovers of the weird and wacky. There are plenty of things for kids here, but it’s also a popular place for teens and adults! You’ll know you’ve arrived at this bizarre toy store when you see a brightly-painted building covered with murals of monkeys, bacon strips, and more. Step inside the door to discover things you didn’t know existed. There’s a whole section for weird masks, a rack of crazy socks, interesting pet clothing, and anything else you can think of…it even has a wedding section!
Accommodation: Where to stay in Seattle
Address: 1300 N 45th St, Seattle, WA 98103
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Located in the Mall of America, this store sells all the LEGO gear you could want, with tons of LEGO merchandise and toys. The highlight of this store location is the monthly modeling competition, in which competitors vie to see who can build the best toy model.
It's a great kid-friendly attraction, and the employees make the experience even better with their enthusiasm. There are lots of amazing creations and attractions to see in the store, and if you're looking for stores like Toys R Us, this is the perfect store to visit in Minnesota.
Shop the great selection of LEGO toys online at Amazon.
Address: 164 South Avenue, Bloomington, MN 55425
Timbuk Toys in Denver is a wonderful land of fun and frivolity. Located at Timbuk Toys University Hills Plaza, the toys they offer are designed to be fun, experimental, and educational for kids of all ages.
Open since 1993, the store itself is mom-owned, and the innovative toys are geared towards learning through play. Their special events are a great addition, too, with Story Playtime engaging kids with storytelling adventures and interactive entertainment.
Through the years, they’ve gotten numerous accolades for their service, including the Colorado Parent readers’ "Family Favorite Local Today Store".
You can expect the following from their store:
Address: 2526 S Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80222
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Kappa Toys has a one-word slogan: "Wow!" They believe every toy should inspire awe in their customers with their design-minded approach.
You'll find traditional toys and games alongside oddities and international delights. "Toys and fun for everyone," they say. If your kid loves toys, there's something for them from Kappa Toys.
Whether you're after something to pass an afternoon or a collectible to keep forever, Kappa Toys has revamped the toy industry to cater to the fine art of play. Kappa Toys is one of the best American toy stores, and there's something out there for the kid in all of us.
Address: 3200 Las Vegas Blvd S Suite 2470, Las Vegas, NV 89109
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Smart Toys and Books is all about bringing the party and play to create excitement and stimulate learning in children. Their high-quality curated selection of books, toys, dolls, and puzzles promises maximum fun and accessibility for kids of all ages.
Their displays and demonstrations are proudly labeled as "hands-on," and their customer support is second to none, offering individualized attention and the chance to follow up on incentive reward programs.
Better yet, you won't find most of their toys in big box stores since they pride themselves in offering personalized, well-thought-out toys for kids of all ages.
If you’re so inclined, you can book a birthday party package with 1 hour of private play in the super fun party rooms.
Address: 9700 Kingston Pike Ste 12, Knoxville, TN 37922
Quake Collectibles is a nostalgic paradise, dealing in both new and old toys. Some of the best throwbacks are available here, including Transformers, GI Joe, Star Wars action figures, Pez, and so much more.
Whether you're a kid or a toy collector, there's something for you here. The store is covered floor to ceiling with great 80s and 90s toys.
If you want to relive your childhood and introduce your kids to the vintage style of toys, then this is the timeless store you need to visit. It's undoubtedly one of the coolest toy stores in America.
Address: 4628 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
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Games of Berkeley is another one of the amazing toy stores on our list, offering everything a kid could ever want. This store has everything you need, from miniatures to 3D puzzles, action figures and crafts.
They also offer tons of fun activities, including crafts, Mad Libs, magic tricks, and outdoor games. They offer tons of collectible items for you to enjoy, too.
The range of games is truly remarkable, and whether you like playing on a tabletop, with cards, or outdoors, there's a bunch of active strategies or puzzle games to enjoy.
Address: 2510 Durant Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
The A2Z Science & Learning store is an experience like no other, featuring an inspired catalog of science-driven toys, puzzles, and games. They also offer free yo-yo lessons three days a week!
A2Z always strives to remind its customers of the impact a toy has on a child's life, and they aim to recreate that joy in every child they serve. Their uplifting business model has been the guiding principle of the store since 1987.
They have over 10,000 items in stock, allowing you to get the perfect present for a loved one here, making it one of the most fantastic toy stores in the US.
Address: 57 King St, Northampton, MA 01060
Josh's Toys & Games has a little bit of everything. Founded by 15-year-old Josh Heinzl in 2008, the extraordinary leadership of this store is remarkable.
The store is all about fun, and its hands-on, stress-free motto is a locally supported effort. They offer lots of outstanding, innovative products that you won't find anywhere else, alongside some reputable recognizable names.
American toy stores like Josh’s are few and far between, making this an experience you don’t want to miss.
Address: 1500 S Willow St, Manchester, NH 03103
Labyrinth Games & Puzzles aims to offer a committed play experience that reinforces a child's love of games through puzzles, hands-on activities, and lots of local events.
They donate to local charities and provide resources for teachers, making Labyrinth Games & Puzzles a pillar in the D.C. community.
Having served the metro area for more than 12 years, Labyrinth is constantly looking forward to new games, innovative puzzles, and toys for kids of all ages.
Address: 645 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003
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New York's original family toy store, Mary Arnold's, is a piece of living history and specializes in toys designed to withstand the test of time.
Open since 1931; they offer a selection of explorative, innovative toys, books, games, and puzzles. They offer creative ways for kids to explore their surroundings, enjoy family time, discover science and nature, make-believe, and construct things with their hands.
It’s one of the best toy stores in America, and if you haven’t checked out their stock of toys, then it’s well worth doing so.
Address: 1178 Lexington Ave, New York City, NY 10028
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Gods & Monsters has something for everyone. From pop culture collectibles to toys, comics, novels, manga, and more games than you can shake a stick at, this is the official nerd hub of Florida.
You can host your very own VIP events, have cosplay parties, see original artwork features, and participate in their events year-round.
Pick up the latest trading card games and figurines, or stock up on D&D supplies at this one-of-a-kind store. Gods & Monsters is open to hosting parties for fans of any genre and was voted the Best Comic Book Shop in Florida.
Address: 5421 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
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Located in downtown Brevard, O.P. Taylor’s is over 6000 square feet of fun. It’s the #1 toy store in the south and features tons of puzzles, games, stuffed animals, and birthday supplies. Check out their extensive online shop or visit the store in person for the self-proclaimed “coolest toy store on the planet.”
Address: 16 S Broad St, Brevard, NC 28712
Toys R Us in New York City is the most famous toy store in the United States, with over 110,000 square feet of toys and games for everyone.
FAO Schwarz is the largest toy store in the world. Located in NYC, this store has over 3 million square feet of retail space, selling more than 300,000 toys yearly.
Hamley’s Toy Store in London is the most popular toy store in the world. With 4 floors of fun, it's a dream come true for toy lovers everywhere.
FAO Schwarz, founded in 1862, is the oldest toy store in the United States.
The best toy brand is up for debate, but Mattel is widely considered the most reputable, having been in business since 1945 with top-of-the-line products and reputable service.
There are a variety of great toy stores across the United States. Whether you prefer to shop locally or online, you can find the perfect toy for your child. Shopping at these stores not only puts a smile on your child's face but also allows you to help support local businesses and mom-and-pop shops around the country. So make sure to check out some of these amazing toy stores in America and find something special for your little one.