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
A useful directory of links to top kids and baby shopping sites. Search under toys, clothing, furniture or safety products to find what you need.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
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
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
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
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
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
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