Best Toy Stores and Children's Boutiques Around Boston

Kristy Pepping:  Learning Express is a toy store chain, but a unique one. They focus on several S.T.E.A.M. toys like science sets, building kits and arts and crafts kits.

Plus, they offer free gift wrapping and a birthday box club. This club allows your child to shop for toys they like and put them in a box. Then, birthday guests can come into the shop, check out the birthday child's bin and a select a toy for the party.

Amanda Banta:  Fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series will get a kick out of visiting An Unlikely Story, owned by Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney and his wife, Julie. In addition to editions signed by Jeff, the store has a huge selection of books for adults and kids alike.

Going beyond books, the store prides itself as a place for the community to come together and keeps an impressive events calendar going, with story times for the little ones, book groups for every interest and age, yoga, music, wine tasting, family game nights and more.

Kristy Pepping:  This local toy shop asks these questions every time they go to make a purchase for their store: "Is it well made? Is it age appropriate? Does it stimulate thinking or imagination? Will it encourage positive play behavior? So you as a parent, know every toy carried by their store has a huge thought process behind it. The Toy Shop of Concord encourages kids to play with the toys to test them out too.

Toys can be bought in store or online.

Kristy Pepping:  This local toy shop offers a unique selling option. They offer both toys for older children and baby gear for infants. Plus, they have a fun blog you can follow or a YouTube channel with over four million viewers! And last, but certainly not least, a baby registry, perfect for local moms to shop for their baby showers.

Kristy Pepping:  Henry Bear’s Park is a local toy store chain that offers several unique toys. Their name comes from a children’s book published in March of 1976. This is the same year and month that they opened their first Boston store.  

Plus, they offer an option to buy online and pick-up in store, free gift wrapping, gift cards and gifts for all ages of children. 

Kristy Pepping:  Boing! was started by a former finance employee who after working in the industry, left and decided to pursue her other passion, toys. Their website makes it easy to browse toys by age, category, brand and type of play. And the owner gives back to the local community by donating 10 percent of all store profits.

Amanda Banta:  Browsing the shelves at Porter Square Books can be as much fun as reading the book you take home. The store has a wide selection of books for everyone, but if you need some direction finding a new great read, the ever changing Staff Picks can help you along.

Avid readers between 12 and 19 can join the Bookavores, a book group dedicated to teen readers, with regular meetings set to discuss a book each month.

Porter Square is another great spot to listen to an author read a selection from an upcoming release. See here for upcoming events at Porter Square.

Kristy Pepping:  Mulberry Road has been in business for more than 15 years. They mostly offer children's clothing and accessories. But they do offer some unique and fun toys. Some of the offerings include stuffed animals and books.

Kristy Pepping:  This boutique children's store specializes in both boys and girls' clothing. Kodomo hand selects unique brands. They also make sure these brands adhere to the best ethics and business practices too. You can create a gift registry online or in the store. Besides clothing, you will find nursery decor and some toys.

Kristy Pepping:  Tadpole is an independent children's store located in the South End. They cater to parents with infants as well as offer toys for all ages. Some brands they carry are: Oeuf, Monte Design, Bugaboo, UppaBaby, Skip Hop, Baby Jogger, 3 Sprouts, Aden & Anais and more. They recently added an addition to showcase their nursery items like cribs, rugs and dressers.

Other great store offerings include: a baby registry, free stroller assembly and car seat installation.

Kristy Pepping:  babycottons. started in 1999. Since that time, they have opened stores across South America and the U.S. The concept is a simple one to pair classic designs with pima cotton from Peru. Store offerings include clothing for both babies and toddlers. Sizes range from newborn to size eight. babycottons. also offers a personalization option for some clothing, bibs and blankets.

Kristy Pepping:  CouCou is named for the French word for peek-a-boo and is located in the South End. They offer a selection of fun toys for newborns to age 10. Items include: clothes, toys, arts and crafts, gifts and more. Their products are produced globally making their selections truly unique. 

Unlike other big box toy stores, they go above and beyond catering to parents. They offer a nursing room complete with all the necessary products. Plus, you can purchase online for curbside pick-up. Great for sleeping infants! And they have a playroom onsite for free play and classes. 

Kristy Pepping:  The Red Wagon is located in Beacon Hill since 1997. They offer unique and new selections often. Store choices range from clothing to gifts to toys. And sizses run from newborn to pre-teen. Shop online or in store.

Kristy Pepping:  Bringing Up Baby offers children's clothing, toys, shoes, home decor and accessories. Their motto is to search and bring to their store the most unique items they can find. Parents will appreciate the onsite play area as well as the nursing and changing room. Girls sizes range from newborn to 14. Boys sizes are from newborn to size eight.

Amanda Banta:  South Shore favorite, The Toy Box has been in business for more than 40 years. The store offers a variety of creative, quality toys, the kinds that will engage and keep your child's interest longer than the hot new fad of the season. The Toy Box also has hosted mom shopping nights out ahead of Christmas in years past, giving discounts and guidance to mothers looking for guidance on good quality toys.

In addition to the quality toy selection, the shop offers in store picking, shipping or home delivery by the Toy Box Mobile (when within a 20 mile radius of the store).