Activities for Kids

Child’s Play: 13 Toy Stores That Make Shopping Fun & Easy

Ready for holiday shopping? Get started at one of Red Tricycle's 13 favorite independent toy stores with impeccable selections.

By Alice Perry December 15, 2013

If trudging through big box retailers and looking for the elusive toy for your kid makes you want to take a long winter’s nap, read on. We found 13 independent toy stores that will get you excited about tackling that long list. All of these store’s owners are passionate about toys: the selections are impeccable, and the displays and presentations are artistically imaginative. After visiting these shops, you may just start to feel that this truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

Going Old-School

6. Children’s General Store: You won’t find a Wii game or even a rainbow loom bracelet at this UES spot. Like its name, Children’s General Store harkens back to a time when toys didn’t need a screen to be fun. Proudly unplugged (no website here), the store’s wooden trucks, stuffed animals, costumes and loads of science and art kits are all about encouraging your kids to use their imaginations to have the best playtime ever.

Children’s General Store

168 East 91st St.

New York, Ny

Phone: 212- 426-4479

Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.