More Than Your Average Toy Store

Our Toys & Games Store features thousands of products, including dolls, action figures, games and puzzles, hobbies, models and trains, and much more.

You can shop by age, favorite brands, new products, and best sellers.

The Preschool Store features learning and educational toys, activity toys, ride-ons, kitchens, and more for the infant or toddler in your life.

The Boys’ Toy Store showcases all the best in action figures, hobbies, construction, blasters, and outdoor play.

The Girls’ Toy Store is perfect if you’re looking for dolls, plush, dollhouses, and pretend play.

Our Games & Puzzles Store showcases the latest in specialty board games, card games, jigsaw puzzles, and more.

For the hobby enthusiast we carry everything needed for model building, trains, radio-control vehicles, rocketry, and more.

For everyday savings on a wide selection of toys, games, and hobby items, visit our Outlet Store.

Our new releases section features the latest products added to our selection, while our best sellers showcase toys and games that are most popular with our customers.

Looking for toys and games from your favorite brands in one location?
Our featured-brands section showcases entire product selections from top brands, including LEGO, Mattel, Hasbro, Fisher-Price, LeapFrog, and Melissa & Doug, as well as a huge selection of specialty toy brands such as Plan Toys, Bruder, Playmobil, Sprig, Hape, and much more.

Looking for the right toy for that special child in your life? Looking for a toy for a specific age group?

We’ve created a guide grounded in child development research to help. You’ll notice that some toys are listed in more than one age category, although children might play with that toy differently as they get older. Suggested toys are adapted from Martha B. Bronson: The Right Stuff for Children Birth to Eight; Theodosia Sideropoulos Spewock & Jean Warren: Play with Purpose; and other sources.

HELPFUL HINTS

Focus on the kind of play a toy encourages, rather than on the features of the toy. (i.e. Think about what the child can do, rather than what the toy can do.)
Let the child’s developmental level and interests guide your toy choices, not advertising or the popularity of the toy.
Look for toys that let the child “tell the story” — eave room for the child to use his or her imagination in how they play!
Provide an array of toys and activities that encourage your child to use and explore all developmental domains: physical; cognitive; sensory; speech and language; social and emotional.

FIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD TOY

Play Value Does the toy promote good, healthy fun? Teach a new concept or skill? Foster creativity? Link home and school? Create enough interest for the child so he plays with the toy over and over again?
Design Is the toy innovative and original? Does it make good use of materials? Is it presented in packaging that supports understanding of the product and how to use it? Visually interesting? Easy to use?
Values Does the toy promote social responsibility? Community awareness? Environmental awareness?
Quality Is the toy durable? Safe? Guaranteed? Of high auditory quality (if it make sounds)?
Appropriateness Does the toy fit the child’s age? Gender? Abilities? Interests?

TOYS FOR BIRTH TO SIX MONTHS

Even the youngest of children can benefit from toys since toys help infants and babies begin to make sense of the world around them. Providing toys that stimulate your baby’s senses of sight and sound are a good way to help your child grow. As your child becomes able to grasp objects, providing him or her with toys that have different textures will help them learn.

Birth:

Well-secured, unbreakable crib and wall mirrors
Soft-bodied dolls with faces and without parts (e.g. eyes, hair) that can detach
Simple stuffed animals without parts (e.g. eyes, hair) that can detach
Simple hand puppets (to be used by adults) with faces
Simple mobiles with high contrast design, well-secured and out of baby’s reach
Music boxes, operated by adults • Rhythmic music (e.g. lullabies)

Six to Eight Weeks:

Large sturdy books (e.g. cardboard) with colorful pictures
Rattles
Teethers
Squeeze toys
Wrist or ankle bells
Simple crib and play gyms operated by movement of baby’s hands or feet (use only while supervised)

Four Months to Six Months:

Toy keys on a secure ring
Simple interlocking rings
Texture balls and toys
Grip balls
Soft blocks
Large pictures of faces
Toys on suction cups
Toys that make noise
Floating water toys
Busy box

TOYS FOR SIX TO TWELVE MONTHS

This is the age when motor skills are exploding! Your child is learning to sit up and manipulate toys (banging, dropping, stacking, opening, shutting). As his or her physical exploration moves from crawling to cruising (walking while holding onto a walker or furniture) and eventually walking, your child will love things that move, too.

Well-secured, unbreakable crib and wall mirrors
Soft-bodied dolls with faces and without parts (e.g. eyes, hair) that can detach
Simple stuffed animals without parts (e.g. eyes, hair) that can detach
Hand puppets (mostly to be used by adults) representing interesting objects or characters
Play animals or objects (six to eight inches) for exploring and grasping
Simple vehicles with large wheels for babies to sit in or ride on with supervision
Teethers
Beads on rings
Pop beads
Squeaky toys
Sturdy, washable cloth toys
Disks or keys on ring
Interlocking rings
Grasping balls
Texture & chime balls
Busy boxes
Roly-poly toys
Floating water toys
Lightweight cloth, wood, or molded blocks (2 to 5 inches per side)
Simple two- to three-piece puzzles
Activity boxes or cubes
Texture pads
Nesting cups
Stacking rings or cones
Sturdy, washable picture and rhyme books
Push or pull toy cars or animals on wheels
Secure, age appropriate swings
Secure, age appropriate climbing platforms
Music
Wrist or ankle bells
Lightweight banging toys (e.g. drum, xylophone, pots & pans, boxes with lids)
Non-toxic crayons (between 9 and 12 months)

TOYS FOR TODDLERS

The world is opening up for a toddler — and so comes the floodgate of emotions and behaviors. Your child will begin to express pleasure, protest and is developing his or her own personality. Your toddler is definitely an explorer, so give him or her ample opportunity and space to experiment and manipulate toys. You’ll also want to keep them active! Toys that encourage movement will be a big hit.

Toys with secure, sturdy mirrors
Large building blocks—cloth, molded, or wood
Fill and dump toys
Stacking rings and toys
Nesting toys
Toy telephones
Nonbreakable dishes and other simple housekeeping and work role-playing toys
Dolls and accessories (no parts that can detach)
Dressing, lacing, and zippering dolls
Peg people
Stuffed and molded animals
Play scenes
Pails and shovels
Funnels, colanders
Puzzles (3 to 5 pieces)
Pegboards with a few large pegs
Large, non-toxic crayons with large paper secured to surface
Sturdy picture and rhyming books
Activity boxes
Pop-up toys
Simple matching and lotto materials
Bells & rattles for making music
Lightweight banging toys (e.g. drum, xylophone, pots & pans, boxes with lids)
Music for bouncing and “dancing”
Music for finger-play games and songs
Ride-on vehicles with large wheels—even better with storage bins
Bouncing or rocking ride-ons
Tunnels to crawl through
Safe swings and climbing platforms
Balls, balls, balls—different sizes, different textures

TOYS FOR TWO-YEAR-OLDS

Two-year-olds are full of energy and seem to learn new skills every day. You’ll notice increased language development and that your child takes more of an interest in socializing with others. Provide opportunities for your child to MOVE and develop their gross motor skills, cognitive skills (your child can follow simple instructions now), and their social/emotional skills.

Blocks, blocks, blocks! (of various sizes)
Boxes and containers of various sizes that encourage filling and emptying
Cars, trucks, planes, trains—anything that rolls
Climbing toys
Craft materials like large paper, non-toxic markers, paint, and glue
Crayons (large size)
Dolls and accessories
Drums
Felt and other fabrics for crafts
“Fix it” tools and workbench for toddlers
Gardening tools for toddlers
Kitchen toys and toy appliances
Mirrors (no glass—make sure they cannot break)
Musical instruments—simple ones like xylophones and tambourines
Nesting toys
Paint brushes (large) and sponges for painting
Parents who sing, talk, and read to their child
Play dough or non-toxic modeling clay
Puzzles (simple ones, ideally with knobs for manipulating the pieces)
Riding toys
Sandbox and sand toys (sifters, shapers)
Shape sorters
Shopping carts for toddlers and related “shopping” toys
Stacking toys
Stuffed animals and dolls
Water toys

TOYS FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS

When your child turns three, you’ll notice that he or she plays actively with others (be it his or her peers or — you!). It is the age of imagination and role playing, so encourage make-believe by stocking toys that help with ‘let’s pretend.’

Beanbags
Blocks (large and small for building)
Blunt scissors
Boxes (different sizes)
Brushes for painting
Bubble-blowing materials
Clay
Clothespins (adult size)
Costume box (containing adult clothing, purses, hats, shoes, jewelry, scarves, etc.)
Crayons (large size)
Doll furniture (carriage, high chair, bed, etc.)
Dolls (all kinds)
Fingerpaints
Games (lotto, matching, dominoes, etc.)
Hand puppets (all kinds)
Housekeeping toys (dust mop, broom, mop, ironing board, iron, stove, refrigerator, sink, etc.)
Jungle gyme
Large beads for stringing (strings should have rigid tips)
Musical instruments (rhythm sticks, bells, drum, castanets, rattle, triangle, etc.)
Parents who sing, talk, and read to their child
Pegboards with large pegs in a variety of colors
Pencils
Plastic dishes and assorted cooking utensils
Playdough
Puzzles
Riding vehicles (dump truck, car, etc.)
Rocking horse
Sandbox
Sand toys (sifter, scoops, pail, small containers, spoons, funnels, etc.)
Screw toys
Seesaw
Shape sorting box
Slide
Stuffed animals
Swing set
Table and chair (child-size)
Tape deck and tapes
Toy airplanes, trains, trucks, boats, cars, etc.
Toy telephone
Tricycle
Wagon
Water toys (sponges, sieves, soap, egg beaters, plastic containers, funnels, straws, measuring cups, etc.)
Wheelbarrow
Wooden or rubber vehicles (cars, trucks, boats, fire engines, etc.)

TOYS FOR FOUR-YEAR-OLDS

When it comes to development, four-year-olds are developing greater self-control and ingenuity. They also have a keen interest in trying new experiences. You’ll notice your 4-year-old taking an interest in language (more complex sentences and identifying words/letters) and are even more curious than during their toddler phase!

Balls
Beads for stringing
Beanbag games
Brushes and paints
Bubble-blowing materials
Building blocks
Cars, trucks, boats, trains, airplanes, etc.
Child’s tape recorder
Child-size musical instruments
Child-size workbench and vise
Clay
Climbing equipment
Construction toys
Cooking set, child-size kitchen appliances
Doctor and nurse kit
Dollhouse
Dolls and doll furniture
Dominoes
Dress-up box
Finger paints
Housekeeping toys
Jump rope
Lacing card, lacing shoe
Large appliance boxes
Large crayons
Memory games
Nesting toys
Parents who sing, talk, and read to their child
Puppets
Puzzle
Sand toys
Simple card games
Stencils for tracing
Toys for water play
Tricycle
Wagon
Wheelbarrows

TOYS FOR FIVE-YEAR-OLDS

Have you noticed your five-year-old asking “why” more often? That’s because five-year-olds are very creative problem solvers and are becoming more analytical. Support their development with games that help hone their analytical skills, toys that keep them active and creative materials that help spark imagination.

Art materials
Balls
Beanbags
Bicycle
Blocks (all sizes)
Books
Bowling set
Camera
Card and board games (simple)
Cash register and play money
Clay
Climbing equipment
Computer
Cooking equipment
Crafts
Crayons
Dishes (nonbreakable) and other housekeeping toys and work role-play toys
Doctor kit
Dollhouse with furniture
Dress-up clothes
Fingerpaints
Flashlights
Jump rope
Kits—crafts, science
Loop loom
Magnetic letters, numerals, and objects
Magnifying glasses
Miniature people, animals, farms, vehicles, etc.
Musical instruments
Paints and paintbrushes
Parents who sing, talk, and read to their child
Picture lacing cards
Plastic bat and balls
Puppets
Puzzles
Roller skates
Scooter
Stencils
Toy clock
Trins
Wagon
Wheel toys
Workbench with child-size tools

TOYS FOR SIX TO EIGHT-YEAR-OLDS

This is the age of cognitive expansion (literally — their brains are growing). Play helps elementary-aged children engage in goal-oriented activities and problem solving, as well as self-expression and creativity. You may also notice your older elementary-school aged child become engaged in ‘collecting’ certain prized items.

Dolls—washable and with culturally relevant features and skin tones
Doll clothing and accessories
Cash registers and play money
Puppets and simple puppet theater
Play scenes
Small people, animals, and vehicles for acting out stories
Parents who sing, talk, and read to their children
Books: different genres to read aloud, for kids to read silently, for kids to make
Crayons, markers, colored pencils, chalk, and paint
Art supplies: scissors, paper, glue, glitter, paint brushes
Craft materials: looms, fabric, beads, plaster of paris, sewing supplies, weaving materials, jewelry making materials
Book making materials
Clay
Musical instruments
Music for singing and dancing
Audiovisual and technology tools
Replicas of cars and other vehicles
Construction workbench with child-sized tools and real materials
Math manipulatives
Measuring materials
Science materials
Plants and animals to study and care for
Puzzles: three dimensional and jigsaw (50 to 100 pieces)
Balls and sports equipment
Ride-on toys, including bicycles
Climbing toys

TOYS FOR KIDS WITH DISABILITIES

There are a few things we know for sure about kids. Every child is unique. Each grows and learns in his or her own special way. And pretty much all children love to play.

Kids with disabilities are no different, of course. Whether a child’s disability is mild or severe, obvious or not, that child is first and foremost a kid, which he or means she will have the natural instinct to explore the world through play, just like any other child.

When it comes to birthdays and holidays and other special times, however, children with disabilities all too often find clothing or other ‘safe’ gifts waiting for them. Many times, grandparents, other relatives, and friends want to do something special for the child, but they just aren’t sure what types of toys will be fun and usable. They don’t want to take a chance on disappointing her with something that doesn’t fit her abilities, something that ends up being more frustrating for the child than fun.

If you have a child with disabilities in your life for whom you would like to find just the right toy, several resources are available to help you:

Lekotek’s Top Ten Tips for Choosing Toys. A list of comprehensive tips. Be sure to check out the many other resources on play for children with disabilities, including downloadable information packets on many play topics.
Able Play: A more comprehensive look at toys that fit well with particular disabilities. Developed by the National Lekotek Center, toys are rated on several characteristics and you can search by disability, age of child, type of toy, and more. If the child for whom you are buying has asked for a particular toy, this site can also serve as a resource to see if that item has been reviewed. The evaluation can help you decide if the toy is the right choice.
Your Neighborhood Toy Store: These stores are generally very different from national chain toy stores and toy sections in discount department stores because they provide significantly more personalized service along with a selection of products not usually found in big chains. You can expect to find staff who are knowledgeable about a wide range of toys, how to use them in different and sometimes unique ways, and how to match up children with the toys that best suit their interests and developmental levels.

Explore our toy blog for a wide assortment of information about toys and games. Before purchasing the next toy or shopping for a holiday gift, refer to our toy buying guide for assistance in finding the perfect toy.