Discover Top Toy Trends, Hidden Gems and Family-Friendly Fun at These Locally-Owned Shops.
Kansas City is home to a hidden haven of boutique toy stores and most are locally owned. These toy wonderlands promise to whisk even the most hardened Scrooge to a time when childhood was filled with wonder, making toy shopping a sheer delight. Each shop not only offers an expertly curated selection of educational playthings, but they also carry the season’s hottest trends.
No time for a brick and mortar experience? Shop them online.
Pro tip: Most offer complimentary gift wrap.
The Learning Tree
4004 W. 83rd St., Prairie Village | 913-385-1234
Founded by Jane and Jonny Girson with a vision to nurture young minds and ignite a passion for knowledge, this 28-year-old toy shop is transitioning to the next generation with new owners Brett Goodwin and Alan Tipton. “We were glad to find a couple with the same passion for toys, books and the Kansas City community that we’ve always had,” said Jonny Girson, current owner of the Learning Tree. “Brett and Alan impressed us with their toy and book industry knowledge, store management skills and playful ideas.”
At the Learning Tree, several of the shop’s dedicated employees are former teachers and are passionate about sharing their love of learning. Every corner of the store is thoughtfully curated with a diverse selection of toys, books, games and educational resources.
You’ll find classic baby dolls, marshmallowy stuffed animals, colorful puppets, traditional board games, storybooks that ignite imagination, and STEM kits that foster critical thinking. Pick up a copy of Pug Meets Pug for the beginning reader. The Learning Tree offers something for every age and interest.
Brookside Toy & Science
330 W. 63rd St., Kansas City | 816-523-4501
Brookside Toy & Science is a throwback shop that makes discovering toys fun again. The staff will gladly show you the coolest on-trend toys and an impressive gallery of timeless favorites. They lean into the scientific side of toy life for gifting or everyday exploration.
Searching for the perfect perplexing puzzle from 20 pieces to 1,000? Discover the wildly popular MaddCap Puzzles among dozens of other hand-selected options including the 3D World Globe. The store’s owners take pride in curating a diverse selection to inspire creativity and spark imagination. From STEM kits to the colorful Growing Orbs, Suddenly Snow: the snow making kit, to a freshly stocked collection of shiny die-cast pull-back cars to wooden toys that harken back to simpler times, Brookside Toy & Science aims to foster a love for learning in a playful environment.
Fat Brain Toys
5601 W. 135th St., Overland Park | 913-305-4804
Karen and Mark Carson begun their e-commerce toy business 21 years ago, selling educational toys from their garage out of frustration by the lack of creative playthings for their children. Fat Brain Toys has since morphed into an online toy industry powerhouse, competing with the likes of Toys ‘R Us and Babies ‘R Us.
The couple embarked on a journey leading them to discover and bring to market items that inspire learning and fun. An example of this innovation is the brightly colored viral sensation–Simpl Dimpl. These silicone fidget buttons have fascinated toddlers, teens and even adults season after season. It seems everyone loves the bubble-popping experience and we’ve been scooping them up since they hit the market. But more than a fun pop, these colorful widgets provide a soothing experience and a tremendous tactile stimulation to help improve concentration for little ones. Who knew a silicone bubble could keep a drooling toddler busy for so long?
The online store’s first brick-and-mortar shop is in Omaha, Nebraska, and its second (and only other physical location) is adjacent to the Museum at Prairiefire in Overland Park. Though it has become a toy industry juggernaut, Fat Brain’s Overland Park storefront keeps a boutique atmosphere staffed by a team of knowledgeable toy enthusiasts.
Several on-site play spaces encourage experimentation while parents and grandparents observe ‘try before you buy’ exploration. As their name implies, Fat Brain favors educational items, offering a curated selection of colorfully illustrated, high-quality books and STEM for growing minds featuring items like crystal-growing hedgehogs or the LoomBot knitting machine, where you can knit your very own hat, or the bug vacuum for capturing insects to examine through a microscope. You’ll find an array of old-school craft materials and the latest in art tech, alongside deluxe play kitchens and the classics in Lego construction sets.
A hot new toy this year is AIR TOOBZ. Kids arrange tubes and connectors in various ways, switch on the turbine and watch the foam balls fly. Shop early because AIR TOOBZ are flying off the shelves.
The Toy Store
936 Massachusetts St, Lawrence | 785-331-3218
The next time you find yourself strolling Mass Street in Lawrence, do yourself a favor and enter the two-story haven of toy nirvana that is The Toy Store. The moment you cross the threshold, you’ll be transported to a realm of nostalgia and magic. The shop’s enchanting decor and captivating displays beckon you to explore every nook and cranny. From cuddly plushies to challenging puzzles, The Toy Store curates a carefully selected assortment of toys that spark joy and ignite creativity. There is an incredible selection of books categorized by interest and more science kits than you could experiment within a day.
You can expect a generous selection of Warmies, the weighted, lavender-filled plushies that make a perfect present for kids of all ages. Pop them into your microwave for a calming night’s rest. You’ll find a wide variety of Lego sets including the popular Harry Potter, Star Wars and the Mighty Bowser. If your little is into jewelry making, pick up the friendship bracelet making kit Loopdedoo or the WishCraft Mystical Design Studio.
