Play Time

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December 2022 View more

Find fun gifts for the kids on your list at these toy stores

Anderson’s Toyshop
Anderson’s Toyshop

Anderson’s Toyshop

NAPERVILLE

As you might gather from the name, this colorful boutique can trace its roots back to Anderson’s Bookshop two doors down. “They used to have a toy section in the back of the book store, and that grew exponentially to where we are now,” says manager Greg Gordon. New play tables have returned to the sales floor, with space for kiddos to tinker with Brio trains and Calico Critters figurines. “Everything in the store is separated out by age so you know what you’re looking at,” Gordon says. Brands range from classic Fisher-Price toys and Playmobil to wooden toys from Melissa & Doug. “We just brought in a line called Celestial Buddies that are stuffed animals based on the planets,” Gordon says.

Hot holiday gifts: “Fat Brain makes some really great sensory and educational toys,” Gordon says. The Inny Bin shape-sorting box is great for toddlers, while Door Pong is a fun, active game for ages 6 to 11. “It was invented by a kid to help his sister learn how to play Ping-Pong,” he says. Nee Doh balls are also a neat stocking stuffer. “It’s a rubbery ball that you can squeeze and manipulate.” 111 W. Jefferson Ave., andersonstoyshop.com

 

Moore Toys & Gadgets
Moore Toys & Gadgets

Moore Toys & Gadgets

WHEATON

Owner Diane Moore found herself craving a career change after years working as a forensic accountant. “My primary criteria were that I wanted to be my own boss, be close to home—my boys were 11, 10, and 8 when I opened in 2014—and to have fun,” she says. “I wanted to be in downtown Wheaton and looked closely at what was missing and landed on a toy store.” Here, she stocks the sweetest (and softest) stuffies from Jellycat, tons of tabletop games, puzzles, STEM toys, and unique finds both big and small.

Hot holiday gifts: “The Mukikim Rainbow Piano has been my hottest seller the last two Christmases, and I think it will be again this year,” Moore says. “Smart Toys and Games has an awesome new magnetic preschool toy, My First Wobbly Cars, that I had a ton of fun playing with at [a toy show] this past June.” Other big sellers are the Jurassic World build-your-own model dinosaur kits—especially the Quetzalcoatlus. “I already am going to reorder because it is so awesome.” 107 E. Front St., mooretoys.com

 

Treasures
Treasures

Treasures

NAPERVILLE

Prepare to be entertained at this toy and game shop, not only by the eclectic inventory but also by the staff (they’re all adept jugglers) and the vintage Zoltar machine that feels right out of the 1988 movie Big. Browse brain teasers and STEM toys, crafts, magic kits, and games galore. “I have identical twin 7-year-olds,” says owner Michael Kristula. “When the pandemic happened, I got laid off and instead of going back to work, I opened a toy store.” Kristula also hosts weekly game nights in the shop’s basement. “We have these teenagers come in every Sunday and play this game called Salem where you accuse everyone of being a witch,” he says. “It’s really fun and kind of outrageous.”

Hot holiday gifts: “Last year it was drones, a lot of different things that fly all over the place,” Kristula says. “I think spy equipment, like invisible ink, is going to be big … and every kid I know loves the pranks section.” 121 S. Washington St., treasuresnaperville.com

 

Photos courtesy of Anderson’s Toyshop, Moore Toys & Gadgets, and Jen Banowetz (Treasures)