A must see! For such a small shop, they certainly have a great selection--especially of quality plush toys including Squishables (I have many of their Comfort Food series that I started collecting during the pandemic), Aurora, JellyCat, and Douglas. In stock. The service is amazing. Very friendly. And they have a unique way of wrapping gifts (for free!). They let you choose the paper and ribbons colors. The prices seem reasonable to me. They switch out the front display windows often, and they're usually very eye-appealing and seasonal. Inside, they move the categories around so you see things you might not notice even if you go in frequently. read more

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This store is amazing! It's not huge but it has a great selection. What I particularly appreciated was being able to find toys not made in China. There were great options from both Europe and the USA as well as other places. The clerk, JJ was very helpful and gift wrapped my items for a birthday party we were taking them to. Highly recommend this store! read more

The store is usually great, and has a good selection of legos, Jellycats, Sonny angels, etc, however today they had a Needoh event and it was the most poorly organized sales event I've ever encountered. They posted the event on Instagram and recommended people get there early, yet they seemed vastly underprepared. I estimate a couple hundred people in line prior to sale start at 4pm. They had 1 person at the counter and 1 person at the door only. Initially there was a third person who went down the line and gave post-it's with numbers on them which appeared to indicate that if you had a post-it you'd get a purchase, but apparently the other 2 sales staff didn't even know about the post-it's. The staff there were apparently having difficulty stocking, and they made no limits to how long buyers could take to make choices, so the line wouldn't move for extended periods of time after each group was let in. We spent 4 hours in line and then they just shut the door at 7pm when the store closed. With about 50 people still waiting in line. My daughter managed to get in as the door was closing, but then when a few feet from the register, they sold out. And just before that happened there was a girl that walked out yelling that she got "10 needohs", even though the limit per person was 2. I am super underwhelmed at how Five Little Monkeys ran this event. There were people offering to help them stock Needohs and otherwise help but they declined, saying that their boss doesn't allow that. I feel badly for the staff , this wasn't their fault. But management/ownership should seriously reconsider doing events like this if they are unable to pull them off. They had a lot of weeping children and pissed if parents at the end of today, and that didn't need to happen. Do better, this could have brought so much joy, yet lack of adequate staff and organization resulted in chaos. read more

Five Little Monkeys - Novato - Toy Stores Near Me - Novato, California

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I brought my son to the NeeDoh event on Friday and was amazed with the cashier, Violet! It was so chaotic (controlled, fun chaos) and she remained calm, polite and exhibited professionalism that was more than admirable! This young lady deserves a promotion and is certainly going to be a success in life! Kudos for a job very well done! read more

Toy store with a well curated selection. Staff is knowledgeable and helpful. Although it may be a bit more expensive than online mass market stores, it is worth it. Free gift wrapping. I have been complimented on sending just the right thing. read more

Though we've bought many gifts and toys from here for my son, I wanted to highlight an experience I had yesterday afternoon (Saturday 2/15) in the Novato store. I had to get a last minute gift & upon arrival, I noticed the power was out...but the store was still open! By all rights and accounts the store could have closed but they stayed open and were still helping ring up customers and wrapping gifts! And I'd be remiss if I didn't shout out the two rock star employees who were holding down the fort - Loreyna and Jordan. Through what was definitely a high stress scenario (power outage on the busiest day of the week) they not only maintained their cool but exercised some of the most patience I've seen - even in the face of an impatient customer (not me - ha!) So - shout out to Five Little Monkeys for being there for their customers even when the lights were off and huge props to Loreyna and Jordan for being embodiments of legendary service! read more

Five Little Monkeys is my favorite toy store in Marin. :) I work with disabled adults, and we come in here pretty regularly. The woman who works on Fridays is always kind and welcoming to our clients. That alone warrants a five-star review in my book. They have an impressive selection of toys for a wide range of ages. I love checking out their Calico Critter and Squishable sections and displays. Five Little Monkeys has a broader selection of Squishables (including holiday ones) than any other toy store I've been to in Marin. They're able to pack a surprising amount of merchandise into the space, and they display everything in a visually cohesive way. read more

I would give 0 stars. Literally called them and asked if they still had the specific Sonny Angel I wanted available for trade, they said yes, and they can put it up for hold "until the end of the day", I also verified with them, that I was coming from a city that was about half an hour away. I rushed through traffic to get here, and found out within the 30 minutes, that they gave the specific Sonny Angel I came all the way for... away. I honestly had a very terrible experience at this specific location, and will not be returning ever. If they have something you are interested in, don't bother calling, they will lie to you about holding it, and if you come here, it will be a waste of your time. read more

Five Little Monkeys - Novato - Store front - Toy Stores Near Me - Novato, California

The selection is great! Thoughtful, fun, creative, imaginative. The kiddo always loves it and finds so much variety...animals, Legos, books, crafts & much more! The staff are helpful. read more

Quaint toy store in downtown Novato. They have a variety of toys including classic ones that really took me back to my childhood. Prices are fair & I love how they include a large variety of toys & games to tailor to all ages & preferences. read more

I needed a few last minute gifts for my nephews 1st birthday and Five Little Monkeys delivered! Being a first time uncle the lady in the store talked me through my ideas and recommended some customer favorites. As an Uncle who loves to spoil my little guy, FLM has a customer for life! read more

I recently put in an order to Five Little Monkeys after the owner had to close her shops during shelter-in-place. She was offering free shipping. I got a great selection of toys for my younger daughter's upcoming birthday and to keep my kids occupied during what looks like it will be a very long period of social isolation...The online inventory selection is great and the delivery was awesome. Someone arrived a few days later and dropped off the bag full of toys at my front door:) And, of course, I would much rather support a local business, especially now, than make yet another Amazon purchase. Last I checked, online orders were on temporary pause because the owner has as much orders as she can handle. That's good in that it shows our community is supporting a local business, but also sad because what was a thriving business with several local shops is reduced to a single owner/ employee. Looking forward to the day we can walk into Five Monkeys in person! read more

What can I say best little kids toy store in Marin county. The gentleman running it knew a lot about toys and what kids like today

Five Little Monkeys is a quaint small business owned toy store for the young and young at heart in the cute Novato downtown area. A big bonus is that it's right next door to the Flour Chylde Bakery. Yes! After enjoying some gluten free baked goods, I wandered over into the toy store. The footprint of the store may be small, but they sure pack a lot into the space without making it feel crowded. They carry toys, books, puzzles, games, stuffed animals, play costumes, model planes, legos...and a whole bunch of other items. I bought a wooden retro (1960s) looking rocket ship for me and a couple of metal die cast cars for gifts. At first I thought the prices would be outrageous, but I was proven wrong. For many of the toys, the prices were comparable to the big box stores. The staff was welcoming and personable. Another bonus about shopping in the Novato downtown area is that street parking is free, no pesky $ meters. read more

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The best Toy Store in Marin by far! the staff here is always so helpful and courteous they go above and beyond to help you pick out the perfect gift and they also wrap the gift for you! Julia and her team are The Best. Perfect for a single Dad like me! Well Done There wrapping service helped me so much this Christmas. thank you for your help ladies!! And helping to bring the joy of Christmas for my Second grade son! The wrapping was top shelf. I am a loyal customer to 5 Little Monkeys for Birthdays, Christmas etc read more

Five Little Monkeys - Novato - Toy Stores Near Me - Novato, California

This toy store is wonderful! Good quality brands with many items leaning toward the more natural and less plastic. Lots of open ended play items like Aaron's Thinking Putty, Klutz art projects, LEGO, along with puzzles and games. Plus, a wall of plush, animals and items (Have a child or adult in your life that needs a slice of plush pizza? They've got you covered). The store has thoughtfully placed all their items in sections--science, fairies, active toys, novelty, pirates, mermaids, etc. very helpful when shopping for a little birthday friend. The staff is friendly and they wrap beautifully for no extra charge! Shop local and wrap it all up with one stop! (see what I did there?) read more

This is what a toy store should be. If you live anywhere in Marin County, it's worth the trip to Novato to shop at Five Little Monkeys. This place is a cut above. Located in the heart of Novato's adorable downtown district, Five Little Monkeys offers plenty of free parking near the store. The shop is filled with all manner of special and carefully selected toys. There is a baby section up front, with lovely stuffed animals, rattles, bibs and developmental toys. I've purchased several gifts for new mothers here and always find things that are sweet and special. We normally make a beeline to the back of the store, where the trains are located. My little guy is obsessed with trains, and the big section devoted to Thomas is a huge hit with him. There's a large train table decked out with tons of track and trains, and children can play to their heart's content. Getting my son out of here is the hard part. He never wants to leave. Prices are very reasonable. About the same as you'd pay on Amazon for Thomas trains. Near the trains, there is also large collection of books. Five Little Monkeys stocks an impressive amount of books, from paperbacks to gift-worthy illustrated hardcovers. There is also a large art section, with easels, paper, paints, sticker books and everything your little artist could want. There's a costume section, a ton of Legos, several lovely wooden play kitchens with accessories and a bunch of beautiful dolls and stuffed toys. The store has taken care to stock really nice things, not a lot of junky toys, and so you'll find plenty of Melissa & Doug and reputable names on the toys. The other wonderful thing about Five Little Monkeys is the service. The people who work here are unfailingly nice and helpful. I was once here when a woman came in needing a birthday present for a toddler, and I watched as the saleslady spent about 20 minutes personally taking her around the store, pointing out options, asking questions about the birthday girl, going through the pros and cons of various brands. You just don't get personal service like this at most places, but at Five Little Monkeys, you do. This place is a treasure. read more

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Wonderful to find an independent toy store that has a large selection of wood toys. I refuse to buy plastic toys cuz you know the littleones are chewing on them. The staff is hit or miss as far as recommendations. Maybe folks have different specialties, but when I ask for recommendations I don't always get a good answer. They DO offer free gift wrapping! Who even does this anymore!?! Incredible. Makes picking up things before a birthday party so easy. read more

After some additional visits for a variety of reasons I am prompted to change my rating from one star to three and explain a little about my personal feeling about not supporting this business again to going back to the store and taking the time to update my review as a result of what happened both in and out of the store. First, a new star because they are a "local toy store" which is evident in not just the address but in the variety of ways they support/give back to the community and clientele they serve by advertising in places like "Parent 's Press" and participating in numerous "kid-centric" events (trick or treating, school fundraisers, etc) I think their "community" involvement should be commended as they are a local business that supports local and walks the talk of the "local" shop. I am adding a second star for their undeniable reputation amongst kids as "the place" to go for "great gifts and new toys". I still find service hit or miss. I understand sales people and the bottom line. However, I think somewhere in the equation of both the bottom line and sales either as an individual or a store that a consistent smile and a genuine sense of zealous for customer service is imperative to any business or person hitting the mark on sales and the reason most people enter business ...make money and hopefully enjoy what they do and become really good at it. I would suggest some added employee product training around a number of areas but developmental and educational needs are hot buttons for me and how their store and inventory can meet the needs of anything you might want from something "fun" to something "fun and ..." Say educational. So, for the first few items I mentioned in the beginning of this long review I am adding a few stars and will see how it goes when I stop in on my way to run errands in the next week. Maybe a smile and some rapport building and a new review as I want to see the local businesses do well. read more

Awesome local toy store! Employees spend the time and effort to show you the variety of items they have. Toys for infants to big kids! Also love the book selection! read more

Five Little Monkeys is a wonderful toy store! It is a real treasure! It has a variety of excellent toys, stuffed animals, learning toys, books etc. I recently took my grandson to Five Little Monkeys and he had a great time! Just going into Five Little Monkeys is a great experience! Wonderful setting and friendly, efficient staff. read more

I have a friend whose birthday presents always require some sort of monkey theme. Thus, a trip to Five Little Monkeys was clearly inevitable. There are lots of fun toys and they don't mind you playing with them, even if you're an adult. They have a rack of costumes for kids, ranging from police officer (complete with baton and radio) to princess (and yes, they do have magic wands for the princesses!). They've got a little rack of novelty items, which is cool -- when was the last time you saw a toystore selling hand buzzers and squrting nickels? All my friends seem to be having kids, so it is good to know where I can get cute stuffed animals, too. My only wish is for the "big monkey" t-shirts to come in adult sizes... read more

Amazing local toy store with friendly staff and high quality toys. Thrilled to have a gem like this in our neighborhood.

I feel lucky to have such a great toy store. They have a lot of wood toys, baby dolls and dollhouses, play kitchen stuff, dinosaur items, art supplies, lots of Lego and Duplo options, toy cars, Bruder trucks, horse toys, gardening toys, dress up clothes, fairy items, board games, puzzles, birthday cards, sport toys (jump ropes, frisbee, nerf, balls), party favors, toy musical instruments, and more. Go local! I used to assume that they were really expensive before going in, but after shopping there, I found that they are often the same price as other toy stores. They may be a couple dollars more than Amazon, but I often find they are the same price on many items. I gladly pay an extra couple dollars to support a local toy store. It is really great for buying gifts because if the person doesn't like the gift or really wanted something else, they can take to the store to exchange it for something else without any problem. They definitely can't do that when you purchase online. There is a train table and marble track in the back to help keep the kids out of the toys for purchase. read more

I was in the mood to explore the downtown area of Novato. My boyfriend and I ended up here... immediately we were pulled in because of their window artwork. This store is the definition of a Marin quality toy store. Puzzles, plush animals (unicorns- my fave), Star Wars memorabilia, little cars, boardgames and countless other little knick-nacks to make your little one happy this Christmas or birthday. Toysrus, Ross target and Kohl's may carry a selection of toys, but this store has quite the selection for it being so small. The size of the store makes your shopping pretty easy. A little on the pricey side but hey quality over quantity right? ;P read more

This is what I just posted on my social media... I thought Five Little Monkey's would appreciate it. So, a few day's ago my wife, grandson and I went out to brunch in Novato and after brunch we decided to go look at the little local toy shop in Novato. We all had fun watching our Grandson looking at all of the toys and trains. He really liked the trains. Being an awesome Grandma, I decided to look at Train Starter Kit's. I found one that looked like a good choice (wooden train set) and saw that it was $89.00!! My chin hit the ground. We decided to take our Grandson to Toys R Us to look at their trains. When we got to the store I B-Lined directly to the train sets and was completely shocked to see that the same exact train set was ON SALE for $104.00 with a "savings of $35.00! So it's regular price would have been $139.00. I went to go see how much elbow and knee pads would be for Landon. $27.00.... and on Amazon it was $12.92, WOW, really?....I've always thought that you can get decent deals, and get fair prices on everything at Toy's R Us. I decided to pull up my Amazon app and compare prices to some other things that I have bought for my grandson... and low and behold... Amazon was selling the train set for $79.00. Toy's R Us was outrageously over priced. I later went to Target and found the same train set ... it' was $99.00. Target's elbow and knee set was 14.00. So, that's my RANT. I'm not going to Toy's R Us ever again.... other than to let Landon run around. I'll shop at Target or Amazon.(I buy everything on Amazon, by the way!) Be forewarned Toy's R Us Christmas shoppers! By the way, the name of the adorable and reasonably priced toy store is Five Little Monkey's. Here's their website. Super cute stuff.... http://www.5littlemonkeys.com read more

Omg so fun so cute stoped in today to buy my niece a bday gift. found so many cool toys i loved as a kid, i felt like a kid again in there...lol love love love this place but it is seriously over priced! read more

Five Little Monkeys - Novato - Toy Stores Near Me - Novato, California

WONDERFUL Independent Toy Store! I happened to be in Old town Novato recently and stumbled upon a magical toy store. Though fairly small, 5 Little Monkeys is well stocked and well organized. Many fun toys from smaller manufacturers mingle with larger brands such as Playmobil, Thomas the Train & Lego. Workers were courteous and efficient (bad reviews from before do not apply now). Free wrapping and advice on gifts were a bonus. My favorite toy store in Marin! read more

LOVE this place! Every time that I come here, I am greeted warmly by extremely helpful staff! They respect your space if you say that you do not need help, but are extremely helpful if you do need help! BEST place for toys! Green toys, and toys are all ages. I love that its not just the mainstream Disney & Barbie toys. Awesome variety, plus great books! It is a bit expensive, but its all quality toys! Well worth the money to have toys that last! read more

This is the worst toy store ever, because clearly children are clearly not welcomed. My son and his friend were accused of stealing, asked to turn out their pockets to prove they had not stolen (they had not) and were completely humiliated. When I called the store and the corporate office they were dismissive. They said "oh well it happens" and "we hope it doesn't happen again". Do not shop here, their overpriced junk is not worth the aggravation. read more

We have been going to Five Little Monkeys since they opened. Always a terrific selection for all kinds of kids. I can spend 10 minutes or an entire hour getting presents. Four stars instead of five because their prices can be higher than Amazon. But you can get everything gift wrapped here! read more

It turned out that my friend's son is actually 23 months old, not 11. FML. But he loved the toy and played with it graciously. His mother loved the brand, too. Thank goodness my friend is preggers with baby #2 so this toy will be handed down to him/her. o_O I am still dying of embarrassment. read more

I have been a fan for a few years, this is really a wonderful quality toy store. They have toys you will not find at a big box store and are choosy about what gets put on their shelves. I love that they carry educational toys, green toys, Bruder, books, pogo sticks and so much more. I always end up finding something cool for the kids here. The staff will do free gift wrapping and are fast and always helpful. they are great at recommending ideas for kids you aren't too sure about buying for, they know the products well. I was shopping before the Christmas holiday and looked around and for the first time there were no kids in the store, it was all adults. I thought that was really funny. read more

I love this toy store. It reminds me a lot of Ark on Sacramento St. in SF. It's a really sweet store with high quality toys. It's not too big and not too cluttered--perfect for the little ones. They had a lot of toys made from recycled plastics and wooden toys, too. I love not wading through a bunch of garbage to find gems....everything is a gem. Support your local businesses! Go to this fantastic little toy store! read more

Helpful staff. Great selection of toys. Support your local toy stores! Carries brands like Hape, Melissa and Doug etc. Not just the cheapo plastic stuff like the big toy stores going out of business. read more

GREAT independent toy store!! I shop for toys a lot with a 5 year old and was very impressed by 5 Little Monkeys in Novato's Old town (Grant Avenue)! There are several smaller toy stores in Marin and Sonoma (small chains & single store), but, in my experience 5 Little Monkeys is the best. LOTS of toys, well organized, name brands as well as smaller producers, great pricing, good staff... what more could you want? Oh yeah, easy parking. Highly recommend. read more

I stopped in for a second while walking my dog downtown. They are Not dog friendly. But they do have lots of toys. Nice place to pick up a gift. read more

Fun toy store in Novato. It's packed with toys and lots to look at. The prices of some of the items are impressive, reflective of Marin county it seems. Parking is very easy too. read more

I just had the best experience shopping for my grandson at Five Little Monkeys. The selection of toys is amazing and the quality of toys excellent. The young girl who helped us was nice and did a terrific job wrapping our two gifts. Very happy. If you're looking for great selection, good quality and nice customer service, stop by Five Little Monkeys in Novato. read more

Very cute chain "specialty" toy store. Lots of fun stuff for all ages. And they gift wrap for free....