Toy Space Review

It seems like every week I'm buying another baby/kid gift and so I've really been getting to know the local Brooklyn toy stores quite well. Toy Space is definitely my favorite. It's a great combo between the ultra high end toy/clothing stores that dot 7th and 5th Avenues in Park Slope and the really super old-school stores that are dominated by Disney and Ernie and Bert figurines. Nothing against Ernie and Bert - I certainly did love them as a child - but I just can't hand my friends an Ernie or Bert figurine for their new baby. It just seems weird.

Anyway, what I like about Toy Space is that it is divided into age-appropriate sections and it is extremely affordable! Which is really helpful when I'm buying a baby gift each week. The center of the store has lots of little gadgets at knee-high level and I always see at least three or four kids poking around the magnetic stones and farm animal displays. The staff is helpful and make great recommendations. I just wish that they had a frequent-purchaser incentive card or something like that!

426 7th Ave
(between 14th St & 6th Ave)
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Neighborhood: Park Slope
(718) 369-9096

Dinosaur Hill Review

Cute shop on a cute street. Good selection of stuffed animals, puppets, marionettes, and the like for all ages. They also have a nice selection of board and card games, including games from Europe. It's a small shop but you can easily spend half an hour browsing and tinkering with all the little figures and toys on display.

My only complaint is that I wish they had more learning games/toys for older aged kids. They certainly have a few neat things in that category, but I guess their speciality is more in the age 0-4 bracket. Don't come here expecting the latest electronic toy or a huge selection to cover your wildest dreams. Come here if you want to remember how to delight in simple things, like you did as a kid.

Some very cool puppets from around the world over the register that relate to various countries' folk tales.  Seriously not just a stop for kiddie gifts, you can find cool stuff for the adults on your shopping list here as well.  As far as the kid stuff goes, I do find it a bit lacking for slightly older kids.  My nephew is 6 and the books were below his reading level, IMO.  I did like a lot of the paper mache figurines but again, more for me than for a 6 year old.  I feel like the stuff here is either for young kids or for adults who are into cool stuff.  Either way definitely a cool toy shop and a million times better than going to a steaming fluorescent lit hellhole like Toys'R'Us or the like.

306 E 9th St
(between 1st Ave & 2nd Ave)
New York, NY 10003
Neighborhood: East Village
(212) 473-5850

Toy Tokyo Review

They sell a wide variety of toys and figures. I've been a long time customer and I can say this is a great place. The employees are always helpful, polite, and smiling. They are one of the only places that sell the toys that are on display! So glad for that. I can always find a great figure I like in there and it comes at a reasonable price. They sell blind boxes for the usual price. No bump ups. There is something for everyone and always something new to see when you go in. The back section has more action figures from Marvel, DC, and others.

They often have toy events downstairs from the store. A lot of nice designs and toys for everyone to see. Definitely check it out if you are in the area.

True to its name, Toy Tokyo reminds me of the toy stores in Japan: display cases filled to the brim with toys of all kinds, from every decade since the 1950's, and in all price ranges.  The store carries toys of all kinds: rare artist-designed vinyl pieces, Japanese kaiju (monsters), Re-Ment miniatures, and current Star Wars action figures.  Their inventory covers the pop culture spectrum, from the aforementioned Star Wars, to Smurfs, to Gloomy Bear, to The Nightmare Before Christmas, to He-Man, to Toy Story.  Basically, if it's a toy made of plush, plastic, vinyl, wood, or metal, Toy Tokyo should have it.

91 2nd Ave
(between 5th St & 6th St)
New York, NY 10003
Neighborhood: East Village
(212) 673-5424

Happy Days Child Care Review

Our daughter has been going to Happy Days since she was 3 months old. Over 2 years later, and she's still going. She has grown into an amazing child and is certainly very, very happy there. The staff are clearly caring and have been consistently professional, we love them all.

We visited a few day cares when I was still pregnant, they were all around the same costs, but this one struck us most with our "gut feeling" for a place to take care of our child for 9 hours a day.

I cannot ignore the previous reviewers review though. I can understand how chaotic it can be a pickup time, and, from what I remember, they made sure we had an appointment after pickup already happened, I don't know what happened here, why they were here when parents were still here, and I'm sorry that this reviewer has given Happy Days a negative review  based on one brief moment. It's unfortunate that people might see that one star and consider this a reflection of the childcare provided, this absolutely is not. All I can say is they have done nothing but be a wonderful place for my child to spend her early years. I will be sad when it is time for her to leave.

25-17 36th St
Queens, NY 11103
Neighborhood: Astoria
(718) 278-7808

Smart Start Sitters Review

I have known Melody Rubie, President of Smart Start Sitters for over 16 years. She has always been a very dedicated musician and when she became a Mom in 2003, she was even more dedicated to that child and his development. It has become a passion! Now she passes that on to others. she makes sure all her sitters have child care training and a real desire to work with kids.

I was thriiled upon finding Smart Start Sitters during my search for a more permanent babysitter for my son.  Melody set up interviews with candidates and I thought all were qualified, so the one who was already set with all the qualifications melody demands started working with us the next day.  Melody has been very helpful when our regular babysitter couldn't make a job and always works with me.  You get what you pay for, and Smart Start Sitters are worth every penny.

240 W 35th St
Ste 500
(between 7th Ave & 8th Ave)
New York, NY 10001
Neighborhood: Manhattan Valley
(917) 208-0790

Aldea Ninos Review

Walking around on Valencia the other day, I stumbled onto this cute little shop with some fun looking kids stuff in the window, and couldn't help myself, I had to go in. I'm glad I did. very nice folks working the space, and some very cool items that you just don't see everywhere. Like very cool toys and lunch bags with skulls and some great books! I bought a few items, and it was hard to not buy a bunch more...but, I promise I'll be back!

1017 Valencia St
(between 21st St & Hill St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Mission

(415) 874-9520

Janie and Jack Review

I went to Janie and Jack to purchase any arbitrary baby item I saw, and so did not have huge expectations. I had just learned I was pregnant, and to tell my husband, I felt giving him baby clothes and then bursting into tears was the best method of delivery. So often chain stores feel impersonal and are staffed by bored looking people, but Janie and Jack is not only adorable (not such a difficult feat with a store full of baby stuff, true), but Jane the Shop Girl was amazing. She warmly greeted me right away. She predicted when I was due based on my shaky info (and the ob confirmed that she was right). She then helped me pick a darling onesie to break the news. She even searched through the sale rack because she thought I might like some now discounted items. My child-to-be and I look forward to putting some damage on the ole credit card here in years to come.

2108 Chestnut St
(between Pierce St & Steiner St)
San Francisco, CA 94123
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

(415) 409-1259

Speesees Review

If you are like me, everyone except you is having a baby right now.  i have been buying baby gifts left and right and have decided that  this is my favorite childrens clothing line. the website kill me, it's so darned cute.  where do they find those little baby models? speesees is local (yay) and organic (yay!). look at their mission statement - Our mission at speesees is to be fun, fair and organic in the products we make, the way we conduct business, and the baby steps we take towards creating a more sustainable future for the animal, plant and human speesees on our children's planet.
makes me want to pop one out.

1415 Valencia St

(between 25th St & 26th St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Mission

(415) 552-5808

Sprout San Francisco Review

A friend of mine had just had a baby and I had no idea what to get the little guy, and then I came across this store! The staff where sooo helpful, i wanted to get somethings that had to do with SF and horses, and they helped me find a bib that was made from organic material, and then they even ordered me a copy of the good night san francisco book and good night texas book. I dont have a baby of my own but for all the gifts I will be getting it there, it was all organic, or  natural or eco-friendly which I really liked! And The also had some adorable baby furniture in here, it was exciting to see it all even though I dont have my own yet.

1828 Union Street
(between Octavia St & Laguna St)
San Francisco, CA 94123
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

(415) 359-9205

Small Frys Review

We love Small Frys! It's not the most economical shopping trip, but they offer a pretty good variety of children's clothes. I love the Zutano and Petit Lem outfits. They also have a profile artist that comes twice a year. We look forward to the special keepsakes he makes with just black paper and a pair of small, sharp scissors. In a pinch, I've used their changing room and found emergency diapers in most sizes in a basket, as well as some wipes for convenience. So thoughtful. It's a great neighborhood store that I try to patronize as much as I can afford to. Noe Valley needs more places like this!

4066 24th St
(between Noe St & Castro St)
San Francisco, CA 94114
Neighborhood: Noe Valley

(415) 648-3954