How to Shop for Toys in New York City

There are many places to buy toys in New York City, from chain stores to legendary stand-alone shops. New York City has everything, and even children can have an excellent time going shopping here. Here are some of the best options for toy shopping in New York City.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Shop at F.A.O. Schwarz on Fifth Avenue in Midtown East. F.A.O. Schwarz is a legendary toy store made famous in part by the classic piano-dancing scene in Tom Hanks' 1988 film "Big." The store lives up to the hype with its mix of both everyday and unusual toys. The stuffed-animal selection at F.A.O. Schwarz is perhaps the best in the entire city, and who can resist the ice cream parlor located in the store? This is a fun place to go toy shopping, whether you're a child or an adult.

2. Stop by ToyQube on 39th Avenue in Flushing. This Queens toy shop is an excellent place to find both American and Japanese vinyl toys. Not only is there a large assortment of vinyl toys, but there is also a good-sized plush selection at ToyQube. This spacious store has a great offering of collectible items, from key chains to stuffed animals. All in all, ToyQube provides customers with an extremely enjoyable vinyl-toy-shopping experience.

3. Check out West Side Kids on Amsterdam Avenue in the Upper West Side. This is a brightly colored, cozy and quaint toy shop with a unique selection--they stock lots of European toys as well--and an excellent staff. There are a lot of vintage toy items at this shop, so be prepared to find things that are not available at your average toy chain store. This is a charming place to go toy shopping in a relaxed environment.

4. Visit Kid O on West 10th Street in the West Village. Kid O has a good selection of toys that you won't be able to find anywhere else--particularly wooden toys from Europe. A lot of the toys here have an interesting educational slant, which should please parents. Kid O is an excellent place to get beautifully crafted and unique toys. Once you step inside Kid O, you'll feel like you're walking through a classic toy shop from another decade.

5. Explore Geppetto's Toy Box on Christopher Street in the West Village. This is a great place to get old-fashioned, handcrafted, classic toys. A lot of the toys available here are wooden; you won't find much in the way of plastic. The toys are often educational, so they are perfect for impressionable youngsters. This is a great, cozy toy shop that will put a smile on your face.

Tips & Warnings

• New York City also has an abundance of large chain toy stores, so be sure to check those out as well.