I'm so glad I stumbled upon this cute little toy store! It is filled with so many different types of toys like dolls, blocks, little figures, instruments, playsets, and so much more! The worker there was so nice and helped me find toys specific to what I was looking for and even gift wrapped up my purchases so nicely! Definitely recommend this place! read more

I visited here with my son last Saturday. I splurged $88 on a firefighter costume If you're willing to splurge a little for a lot of joy, this toy store is where to be. However, if you're pinching pennies and normally buy your kids' toys on Amazon or Target, you will probably find this store pricey. This place is different from your run-of-the-mill toy shop. It has a great location and excellent customer service. Pros: High-quality toys: 10/10, hands down! Beautiful wooden wonders galore. A+ customer service - they're like happiness wizards! Eye-catching displays that'll make you want to stay all day. Cons: Pricey, no denying it. -Street parking by the meters. read more

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It is a pleasure shopping here. Acorn Store specializes in non-electronic toys, puzzles, games, costumes, etc for children. Something any caring parent should be investigating in this age of screens. No screens here. The merchandise is very unique and varied. read more

This is the cutest little toy shop ever. They have all of the nicest well made toys for great imagination play!

I'm a nanny and absolutely love having this store to take children to for a fun outing and for big or little shopping. We are there regularly. The energy there is lovely and they have a huge selection of beautiful creative toys, small to big, educational to artistic, musical, physical play, dress up, and so much of it is wood and just gorgeous! I can't say enough about this place. It's one of my favorite places to go repeatedly and the staff is patient kind and seem to really love having us there. read more

We found this children's shop after walking down Third Street Promenade. It's a tiny shop and could really accommodate only a couple people at a time, so luckily I was the only one in the store the entire time while my husband waited outside with the dogs. This shop is tiny but they have a TON of things! I was looking for some souvenirs and I think I circled the shop at least 3 times and found something new every time. It took me quite a while to narrow down what I wanted because everything was so unique. I glanced at other reviews before jumping in to write my own, and I have to say I definitely did not have the same experience as others did regarding bad customer service. The owner was super helpful to me when I asked if she had other designs available in a few pacifier clips that were on display. She went to the back twice and brought back five more options for me that actually worked out way better than the ones originally on display. I was glad I asked if there were any others and she was very open to helping me, as well as reminding me to check out the back of the shop that has even more items for older kids. She even gift wrapped my items for me after asking if any of them were for a gift! It's the little details like this that make me more than happy to support a small business owner. read more

beautiful selection of maileg! also some jellycat, bukowski bear, and bunnies by the bay

Great store, great toys etc, really nice people. Bought presents for my grandchildren. Highly recommend.

Adorable store featuring high quality toys run by a sweet lady. I spend way too much time

Let me start by saying I am a big proponent of supporting small businesses, especially this year as we know so many people are struggling. While this store is literally packed with some of the most wonderful and thoughtful toys, the staff tend to be quite rude and very off putting. Especially since I can typically find the same toys elsewhere online for cheaper, I still swallow the extra cost to support our local businesses. The beauty of small businesses is that you'd expect to be working with wonderfully warm and gracious people, people who go above and beyond to make the experience personable -- especially in a toy store. Based on other reviews, thank goodness I didn't bring my kids -- but instead I was alone, respectful and bought several items. After being handed a bag with all my purchases, I asked if they gift wrapped -- surprised that I wasn't asked as it is the holiday season and I saw they had wrapping options. The woman sort of sighed and asked if I wanted gift wrapping, which I had just said I did. When I asked how she was going to wrap two more delicate items, she said hastily, "I'll just put it in a gift bag". At this point it was clear the last thing she wanted to do was gift wrap these items so I asked instead for the paper, so I could wrap it at home. She definitely did not protest, even when I directly said, it's clear this is not something you'd like to do. Horrible way for a customer to feel when they go out of their way to support your business. So disappointed and I certainly hope they learn to be more gracious to their customers, as I don't feel I can continue to come back here if I continue to feel this way leaving the shop. I also want to advocate on behalf of the employees here, if any of this behavior is related to concerns around Covid safety, please revise practices in the store that allow for all to feel more comfortable. An example is for gift wrapping, if customers would like gift wrapping, kindly ask that they wait outside until it is ready as part of your updated store safety measures. Everyone will appreciate and understand the additional diligence to safety measures. read more

Super friendly store personnel and super helpful if there are any minor issues with products purchased. Would definitely recommend!

I've heard about this shop for a while now and I finally checked it out today. I was online this morning and seeing mostly plastic toys for little ones and then remembered that I had been told about this shop! I was very impressed by the hundreds of beautiful, high quality toys and could have spent hours looking. I finally picked out a few wooden, all naturally dyed toys and one fabric toy for my baby and left feeling really good about my purchases. I'll definitely be going back for my little one as he grows and for gifts for the holidays and birthdays. These items really feel special and will surely be handed down and not fall apart. This is a great reminder shop local and in an actual store where we can touch and feel the quality of products. It's the worst feeling opening toys, clothes etc that smell of chemicals and not understanding what all of the materials used are made of. read more

The Acorn Store - wooden toy selection - Toy Stores Near Me - Santa Monica, California

This is the cutest little store in Santa Monica. I came in for the first time a few days before Christmas and mentioned how I ordered a Maileg dollhouse and was stressing because the screws arrived stripped. The owner offered to try to fix it for free!! Not only that, when I said I wish I had seen the dollhouse beforehand because it seems a bit big for the space I was going to put it in, she offered to swap it with another dollhouse. She went above and beyond and I just really appreciated her exemplifying the Christmas spirit. Highly recommend this store. Will be telling all my friends about it and only shopping here from now on for all kid gifts. Thank you Heather for being such a lovely human read more

Great toy store. Helpful customer service Toys are organized by age group. Lots of good choices read more

The Most original Gifts. Great service. It's a Hidden treasure! There is Always parking available

Editing to add a TL;DR: My toddler tried to play with the toys, the owner was rude, I gently defended myself, she lied about not having a Yelp page, then followed us outside and threatened to call "somebody" (police?)." I loved this store, ever since I discovered it five years ago. Their selection is beautifully and meticulously curated. I'm also shaken to my core by the hostility my daughter and I experienced there just an hour and a half ago. My older daughter is two and a half, and very curious. I love to let her walk around and see what interests her, and I was gathering various purchases while she played with things in the shop (as all young children do, at this store). Five minutes pass, and they complained about her playing the little toy piano. It was indeed loud, so I directed her away from it; understandable. Momentarily, I asked the owner about stroller toys for my seven month old. She was exasperated and curt, though I asked her in a polite way. I didn't really pay it any notice. We had been there for perhaps 20 minutes when she haughtily accused me of not supervising my child. This was very obviously not true, and I was taken by surprise. She wasn't at my hip, but she was in my sight in the same room with me (this store is very small). Not at all unreasonable, on my part; it's noteworthy that at least one other toddler was exploring the toys (they are deliberately placed at children's height and exploration is encouraged). I tried to gently defend myself, as she continued to hiss at me quips such as "why don't you go find a play room", numerous hostilities about my child playing too much (she was being respectful), "I've been here since 7am! Do you want me to close the store?! Do you want us to CLOSE?", and finally, when I got outside, I asked if they had a yelp page and she said "NO we don't have a yelp! Do I need to call somebody?" She stormed over to their store phone (visible from where I stood with my children, outside), and began dialing a number. I walked away crying. She said these things mere inches from my face, the Yelp comment and the calling someone comment. My defense to her initial comment was plain and calm; I am supervising my child, I'm trying to make a purchase. I've made a purchase every time I have come to your store and I don't like the way you are speaking to me." Apparently this warranted her hugely disproportionate response. There were numerous customers who witnessed the interaction. I am truly, deeply disappointed. We did nothing to warrant such hostility. read more

Wonderful store with toys you don't feel guilty about buying. You can tell the buyer puts a lot of thought into purchasing toys that inspire imagination and aren't made of plastic, and just as much thought into arranging the displays. I had just as much fun looking around here as my son, and we found some great stuff to buy. The prices are reasonable for the quality. I highly recommend visiting! read more

The owner of the store is a very rude person. She scolded my daughter for "playing" with the toy we wanted to buy! My daughter had tears in her eyes and was afraid to touch the toy again. Seriously why do you own a toy store if you don't like kids and are mean to them?? read more

Acorn store is a tiny piece of magic where treasured toys lend imagination and creativity to artfully produced toys. The costumes for little kids are beautiful and comfortable. The romanticism of a fairies,Knights and dragons overseeing the store invites you to peek into each corner where there possesses something creative and sweet for any age: radio flyers, wagons, fairy potions, wooden building blocks, art supplies, silk butterfly scarves, stuffed animals. Support small stores. Be sure to shop this intimate experience. The owner was wonderful finding an old credit of mine and allowed me to use it years later. read more

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Very cool indie toystore with great service. Unfortunately, I did not find the specific item I was looking for, yet there are a ton of thought-provoking toys mostly for little ones. Very nice place and very crowded during Christmas! read more

I am enthralled by this store. It is a delight to visit this store with my grandchildren (ages three years to eight years). I am charmed by the quantity and quality of wonderful toys and by the "feeling" of the place --- walking into The Acorn Store feels like walking into a high quality toy store in some place like Switzerland. I was in there again today, with my 8 year old grandson, and he selected a puzzle and a science experiment kit. The lady who assisted us was very kind and helpful. I feel lucky to have found this gem of a shop. read more

This children's toy store is wonderful. The owner is so friendly and they literally have everything. Please continue to support this place. Costumes and toys for all ages. A strong emphasis on sustainable toys and STEM. read more

GREAT place for wooden toys, about 80% of the items they cary are wooden. The staff was friendly and very helpful and super sweet to my 1 year old. Prices are decent. Parking is tricky since they only have street parking. read more

Large selection of quality toys for babies on up. I came here with my eleven-month-old and found lovely blocks, an animal, and a drum. The staff here is courteous and well informed, and the toys they offer are exquisite. A lovely experience. read more

I don't know why people come here, the staff is rude, the shop is so small and if you come with your kid you asked that they don't touch the toys! I came yesterday wanting to by a gift for my nephew, the shop wasn't open at 10am, I called there was no message on the machine and no signage on the door to see when and what days it was open. I came back the next day and after shopping, I said hey you have no messages saying if your open or closed or door sign, just like that, she said I was harassing her!!! A customer trying to find out when the shop is open is harassing, Wow! Do yourself a favor get the items online, save yourself parking and the SM traffic and skip this unhelpful, not friendly and unprofessional spot...you've been warned!! read more

I read about this toy store on Goop and had to check it out. This is an independently owned unique toy store that features mostly wooden toys. Located on a sleepy section on 5th Street, we easily found a metered parking spot. When we stopped in on a weekday afternoon, the store was empty. We asked the woman working to show us what toys they have for infants and she happily complied with our request. After browsing a bit, we decided on a hammer toy that helps boost a baby's ability to concentrate on a task. The toys here are fairly more expensive than other toy stores, but they're durable and beautiful. The store has an amazing display of a wooden castle/knight scene that would be wonderful for our son when he's a bit older. My only complaint is that the store is not stroller friendly. I look forward to getting him more toys here as he gets older! read more

A magical little shop hidden on an off street near the garish promenade. If there are little ones in your life, get a gift here--not one that will break in a month, one that they'll pass on to their children's kids. These are the toys I grew up with, the classic stories I read as a kid (I'm not 72, I was raised by a hollandish hippie!), These are the toys I will buy as soon as there's a child in my life (not that I'm hinting, sisters o mine). Everything in this shop is wooden, hand painted, made with love. Except the dress-up clothes, which is good. I hate wooden dress up clothes.. read more

Why would anyone buy anything in this store? Their prices are outrageous. We went in to buy an item we knew we wanted to buy. The item on Amazon was $79.00 [before tax]; they wanted $139.00. When we told them our budget limit; we would have paid up to $100.00 because of the convenience and the fact that they are a local business, they tried to sell us a VERY flimsy cart that would flip over... and that cost was $110.00. CROWDED with items. Almost impossible to move around, although that limitation is not a major factor. Just a feeling, an opinion, that they are in Santa Monica, without much competition for better toys and therefore higher prices prevail. read more

If you've got alot of money this is the store for you, and your kids. I wish I had alot of money, for I would spend it here. I love many of the toys. The wooden handcrafted playsets are simply amazing. They have the best dress-up stuff. And I think the European games and toys are perfectly simply. But they are REALLY expensive. With all the recalls on toys lately, though, the higher price of these "natural" toys are tempting. Not to mention the lack of annoying beeps and lights. read more

Beware of purchasing anything here. They will not return your money and the merchandise is extremely overpriced, and, as far as infants are concerned, the "toys" are mostly inappropriate. read more

"Natural" toys only - nothing plastic or electronic! Lots of wood toys from Germany. Sometimes simple is good.

Was looking for a toy store with unique items for a 5 and 8 year old girl and this store did not disappoint. It is loaded with so many options that you just won't find at the big-box stores. On my first visit I probably spent an hour browsing before I realized there was another room in the back with even more stuff. the lucky recipients of the gifts were very happy and the parents were wowed as well. This will definitely be my go-to toy store from now on. I've been here twice now and have had a great shopping experience both times. read more

Best kids store in LA... or at least on the Westside. It's this tiny store packed with beautiful, well-made European toys that are built to last. We've bought tons of stuff here -- a mini upright piano for $75, a butterfly hatching kit, ukelele, harmonica, wooden blocks, xylophone. They also gift wrap everything, so it's my go-to place for kid birthdays. The owner is a lovely woman from Europe who's usually there. You can tell her the age you're shopping for, and the amount you want to spend, and she makes spot-on recommendations. They'll also special-order stuff for you and call when it arrives. read more

Toy heaven overload! Where do you look first!!! #Iwanttobeakidagain !!! So many amazing, lovely made and well thought out toys for children. Yes, they may cost a bit more...but they may also last a lot longer than the plastic junk you get form the big box stores. These are toys that can last for years, and be handed down to other family members. I walked out with a beautiful sounding xylophone that was really nicely made, and the sound was light and even if the child banged on it not grating on the nerves. $39 It will last a long time, because it's also made very well too. My daughter also bought her son a wonderful stacking toy made of wood that kept her 15 month old busy for quite a while stacking each colorful disc on the pole. They also had an array of wooden vegetables and fruit for small kitchens, perfect for my friends daughter who loves to "cook" for us in her very cute kitchen. They had two other rooms I didn't capture in this picture, one full of costumes and dress and another just full of more wonderful toys (maybe bigger items). A must toy store stop for good quality learning and hours of fun....parents included!!!!! read more

The Acorn Store - Toy Stores Near Me - Santa Monica, California

BEST TOY STORE EVER!!! I can't believe I didn't go here sooner! Amazing, magical! The BEST QUALITY toys, Waldorf toys etc. you can feel, see and smell the quality of all these toys. Simply amazing, this will be my new go to for all birthdays, holidays and everything in between. I am so so happy a place like this is around... read more

This store was like a dream come true. It's filled with beautiful natural toys designed to encourage imaginative play. Many Waldorf toys and supplies. Wooden toys made in Germany and lots of play sets made by Plan Toys -- a really great company based in Thailand. We bought our son a large wooden airplane with wooden peg people. The airplane was made in Germany and the quality is fantastic. It's so solidly built and just beautiful. I know that it's something he will keep his entire life. We also got our son a little drum with mallet made by Plan Toys. It is also beautifully made. Everything in the store is so high quality. The woman who owns the store is very friendly and helpful and very knowledgable abou the products she carries. She does her research and only carries toys that she knows to be safe and manufactured by companies with very high quality controls that use natural products. If you are anywhere in the tri-county area of LA, OC and Ventura county, you MUST check out this store. read more

My recent visit to The Acorn Store was amazing! This incredible toy store has an outstanding collection of organic eco-friendly toys. I found a handmade organic doll and wooden push toys for my one-year-old. There is a fabulous selection of dress-ups, dollhouses and games for my 5-year-old. The staff is experienced and very helpful. Every purchase includes free gift wrapping. A great time saver! The Acorn Store is my favorite store on the West Side! read more

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Stumbled in here by accident... such a cool place. This place is crammed with great toys for all ages.

I am absolutely in love with this store and wish I had found it earlier! They have such a variety of well-made, natural, classic toys. Wooden toys - toys that inspire imagination and do not need batteries (!!) The women who work here were extremely helpful and went above and beyond while we shopped for gifts for family members. This will be my go-to toy shop from now on, so happy that they have many items I've been searching for, for my toddler for a long time!! Note: the store is small, and I highly recommend not bringing a stroller or young child as it would be difficult to maneuver. I'm happy we left our toddler at home - made the shopping experience much easier for all involved :) read more

A really great store !! My mom used to shop for me in here when I was little and I must say I absolutely loved whatever she got me. The toys are all so magical and really beautiful. Even though I am older now I am keeping them packed away for my kids, because I know that they can surpass time. I would recommend this store to anyone who wants to give a child a meaningful gift that they will treasure forever read more