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20 Best Toy Stores in NYC

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If you are visiting New York City with your kids, better to find some unique toy stores in NYC so that you can pick anything your children desire.

From classic FAO Schwarz to trendy Playing Mantis, CAMP Store to West Side Kids, each carrying its charm. So, here are some of the best toy stores in New York City, which are affordable and worth a visit.

1. Camp Store

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You don't have to travel outside NYC to have a camping experience; the credit goes to the Camp Store. Along with playthings, this magical store boasts activities like crafts, sports, and dancing.

What keeps Camp Store apart from other NYC toy stores? This place has a large interactive play area to keep the kids occupied for the next few hours. Besides, the store reinvents itself every season.

Where: 110 5th Avenue and 20 Hudson Yards

2. Kidding Around

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Kidding Around is well known for its stocks of hard-to-find items and unique bits from all over the world. It is a gorgeous pick for top toy stores in NYC.

From wooden playthings to kitchen/food play, Kidding Around is home to all. Moreover, there is an interactive train table where young buyers can play while they shop.

Where: 60 West 15th Street, Chelsea

3. FAO Schwarz

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FAO Schwarz is a bastion of whimsical exuberance and childlike wonder. The store's iconic Big Piano, a giant keyboard that visitors can dance on, is a must-see for any child at heart.

It has celebrated over 160 years of business in toy shops in New York. Its elaborate window displays a work of art. It is a cultural institution, more than a children's store where generations of kids have come to create cherished memories.

Where: 767 Fifth Avenue, 30 Rockefeller Plaza

4. Boomerang Toys

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Boomerang Toys is the place in New York where the playful spirit is nurtured and celebrated. You can find a lot of  NYC vehicles miniatures, Metro-North trains, and more!

This toy store offers a wide variety of specialty and classic toys for children of all ages. They have also been serving the lower Manhattan community since 2002.

Where: 119 West Broadway, Tribeca

5. Grandma's Place

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Dawn Harris-Martine, a.k.a Grandma Dawn is the owner of Grandma's Place. She started this business two decades ago as a palace where kids can come in and have a good time.

It is the most enchanting nook of fun in Harlem to date from nostalgic games and dollhouses to talking dolls and wooden puzzles. The books and toys are carefully picked, positive, and reflect Harlem's community.

Where: 84 West 120th Street, Harlem

6. Norman & Jules

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Norman & Jules is an indie plaything store that specializes in colorful handmade toys, decor, and baby accessories crafted with sustainable materials. 

The toy store focuses on high-quality, eco-friendly products designed to foster childhood development and sustainability. You can dive into their exclusive range of toys and children's apparel, ideal for ages from infancy through ten years. They also support independent artisans from around the globe, ensuring each product ethically sourced and last for generations.

Where: 68 3rd Street, Brooklyn

7. Mary Arnold Toys

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Mary Arnold is an excellent choice for biodegradable toys, and they wrap them for presents as fast as you have ever seen. Finish shopping and have a delicious lunch at Upper East Side restaurants.

Being a family-owned business, Mary Arnold Toys is dedicated to providing a safe shopping experience for their customers. They also require masks, encourage social distancing, and provide hand sanitizer for all visitors.

Where: 1178 Lexington Avenue, Upper East Side

8. Playing Mantis

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Playing Mantis exhibits and sells a beautiful collection of handmade toys and crafts, from around the world. Inspired by the children and mother nature, each craft tells a story of heritage, culture, and passion for artistic and humane expression.

The store exists to inspire children, and show them what their hands can do in collaboration with nature and how it can spin, carve, knit, whittle, and color, making things beautiful and functional.

Where: 32 N Moore Street, Tribeca

9. The March Hare

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The March Hare came a long way in the children's store business back in 1983. Ilana and Mike Wiles recently took over the ownership last year. This little toy store specializes in puzzles, puppets, plushies, and craft kits.

This toy shop becomes busiest on Saturdays, when grateful New Yorkers pop in for at last minute birthday party of baby shower gift.

Where: 321 East 9th Street, East Village

10. Disney Store

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Couldn't make it to fairy tale vacation on Disney Crusie? Get ready to step back in time to your childhood at the Disney Store, located in Times Square.

Everything on sale at Disney Stores is full of nostalgia for even the adults. That's one of the reasons that the store is mostly crowded with people of all ages. From classic Mickey stuffed animals to Disney-themed collectibles, this place is perfect for finding a suitable gift for any Disney fan.

Where: 1540 Broadway, Midtown West

11. Pizzazzz Toyz

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Pizzazzz Toyz is packed with stuffed animals, board games, party favors, and more. The store sells items suitable for infants through young teenagers, as well as products for pregnant and nursing mothers.

It carries a wide selection of games, puzzles, dolls, and action figures. Kids marvel at the array of Spiderman gear, dolls, and make-your-own-balm kits, while parents return for the store's reasonable prices and free gift wrapping.

Where: 281 Court Street, Brooklyn

12. Little Mooney

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Besides playthings, Little Mooney also carries accessories, books, and gifts for newborns to 8 years old.  This magical store is full of great selections and attentive service.

The store offers a line of handcrafted baby, girls', and boys' clothing, as well as a curated selection of independent brands. They also offer various wonderful gifts, toys, accessories, and books. When guests visit them, they are happy to share their local favorites.

Where: 230 Mulberry Street, Lower Manhattan

13. LEGO Flagship Store

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LEGO Flagship Store offers a whole new level of immersiveness and you're going to love it. It has two locations in NYC, one at Midtown West and next at Flatiron.

While looking for places to eat near Rockefeller Center, you can easily find the LEGO Store. There are also several interactive experiences, such as a building wall where visitors can create their own Lego masterpieces. You can also get a personalized portrait at Mosaic Maker.

Where: 636 5th Avenue, Midtown West

14. Greenpoint Toys

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Greenpoint Toys stocks safe quality products daily from brands like LEGO, Thomas, and Friends. There is barely a chance you will visit this store and return bare-handed.

It has been an icon in the neighborhood for over thirty years. Full of classic favorites to the latest trends, the store has a warm and inviting atmosphere. It offers services like free gift wrapping and gift certificates.

Where: 738 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn

15. American Girl Place

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Are you planning to celebrate your little princess's birthday in NYC? Come along with her at this Rockefeller Center mega-store if she is a huge American Girl Doll fan.

American Girl Place is not only about the 18-inch dolly. Tots can get makeovers and they can also personalize a doll with their designs. Book one of the private party rooms and make your girl's Cake Day even more special.

Where: 75 Rockefeller Plaza Floor 1

16. Little Things Toy Shop

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Little Things Toy Store has provided the best selection of Specialty toys in Parkslope, Brooklyn since 1977.

The toy store offers a huge selection of children's toys, games, and knickknacks. Room after room is stacked floor to ceiling with toys, any child would walk out happily. You can find it all ranging from toy trains to tricycles.

Where: 159 7th Avenue

17. Balloon Saloon

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You might have guessed the store specializes in balloons and balloon arrangements from the name. Yet, Balloon Saloon is more than that, especially if you are looking for a toy store on a budget.

You can get one starting at just a mere $5. It has been in business since 1981 and has loads of vintage stuff, especially gag and joke toys. Balloons may be a centerpiece of this shop, but you can find many amazing things that take you back to your childhood.

Where: 133 West Broadway, Tribeca

18. West Side Kids

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The restaurant carries a comprehensive selection of well-chosen toys and gifts for children of all ages. They can also assist you in selecting the proper toy for each age and stage of child's development.

Owned and operated by Alice Bergman and her daughter, this Upper West Side shop is loved for its educational values while choosing even a single toy from preschool to teen groups and their families, ensuring everyone gets something to their taste.

Where: 201 West 84th Street, Upper West Side

19. Lunar Toy Store

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Lunar Toy Store is a specialty plaything store with a major focus on anime and action figures. It is also open for online orders with pre-order discount rates.

It is considered among the best online store for anime figures, toys, action figures, and transformers. It is the spot if you are into anime figures or models. They also have a huge selection, especially for Gundam fan, and the prices are solid.

Where: 199-13 32nd Avenue, Flushing

20. Teich Toys & Gifts

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Teich Toys & Gifts recently began online service after six years of completion of the physical store in West Village.

They are a family-run web-shop offering a thoughtful collection of engaging and inspiring products for kids of all ages. The absolute best children's toys, games, art supplies, puzzles, accessories, and more.

Where: 573 Hudson Street, Greenwich Village