This is a fantastic toy store. I used to love going as a kid, now my kid loves going! Service here is fantastic.They are not pushy, but they are very knowledgeable. They make it so easy to buy presents for kids! You can just tell them how old the kid is, and anything else you know, and then will lead you to areas with lots of options based on age. Also, they wrap presents beautifully! I love buying gifts and having someone else wrap them present nicely. read more

The only way to shop for toys. The curated selection insures the best to pick from. Staff is knowledgeable and professional. Love this neighborhood store. read more

Best toy store in the neighborhood! Lots of variety and they have age appropriate toys across the developmental spectrum.

Educational and for fun and convenient for shoppers. Those are the kinds of quality's you're looking for when purchasing toys and games for the children and parents so they can enter act with each other. Be prepared to spend an expensive price even for one item. read more

This was one of the best stores I've come across especially this time in the Christmas season. Not only with the staff courteous and helpful but knew how to direct us to appropriate toys for age groups. The variety of toys that are far from the standard main stream big market toys is amazing. Educational, informative, Activity related and arts and crafts. I would recommend this to all of my friends and family, especially those with children. read more

Really fun little toy shop with a well organized collection of toys, all more geared to younger than tween aged children. I was hoping that maybe we would spot some items that can be fun at any age than we did, but that really didn't take away from how fun it is in here. I spotted quite a few items from my childhood, shrink a dinks, klutz books (cootie catchers anyone huh? I know I can't be the only adult who still knows how to fold them!), finger crayons, and puppets galore. Even the that weird little game were you can make a beard on a mans face with teeny tiny magnets. My favorite part? That section in the middle where they have all the weird wind up toys, and other little things. In that pile I found a rather creepy note worthy rubber chicken that when you squeezed it, it pooped an egg white rubber blob thing. I had to show it to Aaron.. Rubber Chickens don't lay eggs. It was one of the oddest creepy finds ever, and we were really tempted to bring it home just because it was that odd. A nice toy store, which is really a dying breed these days. read more

There's thankfully a lot more "toys" here than "et cetera". It is a dreamland for children of all ages. I was personally hoping to find something for myself - hoping that some of the toys or games would be fun even for someone who's more of the "child-at-heart" type than an actual child. While I didn't find anything worth purchasing (though I was tempted several times in the puzzle area and game section), I at least left the store with a large sackful of nostalgic memories. The finger-crayons. The wooden train track set that links up and has the magnetically-connecting train you can pull around it. Shrinky-motherloving-Dinks. They even had one of those "my first needlepoint" kits that I used to have and sparked my interest in cross-stitching. What really tugged at my heartstrings was the music they had playing on the speakers. They lured me in with a non-Sesame-Street version of "Sing a Song". They followed that up with "Guantanamera". And then they lost me with a French children's song that I didn't recognize and couldn't understand. But by then I was being taunted by my girlfriend with one of the creepiest toys I'd ever seen. It's a rubber chicken that fits in your hand and when you squeeze it, out of its butt pops this gooey clear sack with white junk floating around a big yellow mass and it's supposed to resemble an egg. This would have ALMOST made sense if it weren't for the fact that this is a yellow RUBBER CHICKEN. Not a white feathery chicken/hen that traditionally LAYS EGGS. It's nonsensical and gross-looking and of course that tempted me to buy it. Luckily I didn't. Because it would only be used when guests come over in a "look at the freaky crap we own" kind of way. We've got plenty of that already. *glares at his 7 NES cartridges of Duck Hunt, two Duck Hunt guns, and non-functioning NES* Maybe if we ever have a kid (or need to purchase a gift for friends who have children) we'll be back. Especially for the gross chicken toy... read more

Cute place. I thought it was going to be overcrowded inside because the building was so small. I went inside and the place was so big. The toys are great for children up to 17 believe it or not. You never want to leave. read more

This toy store is a great escape from the florescent-colored, plastic, battery-operated, noisy contraptions that people tend to want to give your kids. You can come here to get toys that actually allow your child to think (how about that) and I can always find something new and creative. Also great for purchasing last-minute gifts when en route to birthday parties with their reasonable prices and free - and quick - gift wrapping services. read more

This shop is a local business with friendly employees and for that it gets 3 stars. Unfortunately, most of the items here are very expensive. A lego set which costs about 4.99 anywhere else goes for 20 dollars here. I understand if the price difference was 30-50%, but a 400% price hike is just unreasonable. read more

I could waste an afternoon here! I stopped in here on a whim after going to the french bakery across the square. I gathered from the name that it was obviously a toy store, but I didn't know it was going to be an educational toy store! Jackpot! I'm the kinda lame that gets excited to make homemade gifts or teach things through my gifts to my niece and nephew. So when I saw educational craft toys (and science kits!) I was super excited!!! read more

I've been shopping here for at least 40 years, first for my kids and my friends' kids, now for our and our friends' grandkids, and it never has disappointed. Yes if you want a branded toy like Paw Patrol or Disney etc., you may have to go to Target or Walmart or the like, but if you want toys for ages newborn through middle school at least, and toys and games the whole family can enjoy together (very special and not that common), this is the place. Toys that entertain, toys that challenge, toys that spark creativity, toys that encourage STEM learning - they're all here. Excellent manufacturers - Haba, Brio, Ravensburger, Lego, Hape, and many many more. I just brought a fabric baby book that is a photo album - you can put in family photos for the baby to look at, and an intricate origami set with stickers and plastic hulls for making flyable creations for ages 7-12. There are musical instruments, puzzles, stuffed toys, robot and other kits, doll houses, you name it. And the staff is terrific - they know the inventory and their suggestions have always been spot-on. A local gem, for sure. Worth the trip to Hyde Park! (There's even a parking lot) read more

My first impression, upon learning about the store, was that it wouldn't have very many toys to choose from or much of a selection at all and boy was I wrong. This place is stuffed nearly from ceiling to floor with toys for every age group and almost anything you can think of. Some of the toys I had never seen before at a normal Walmart or Target store, so I enjoyed browsing around! There are also plenty of books to choose from and learning tools/games. They do free gift wrapping if you're purchasing a gift, if you want. The sales associate were friendly and not pushy. I'd go back, if only I had known about this store before Christmas! read more

Toy stores are usually either kid-friendly or organized. This place, miraculously, is both. Though it looks small on the outside, it houses an almost alarming amount of stuff, most of which is on display so that you can play with it. They have toys and games for children aged 0 - 12. As an adult, I really enjoyed the geographical puzzles they have out, the wide selection of puppets, and the many small, weird plastic things that were sadly phased out of my life about fifteen years ago. There are also a whole lot of really cool coloring books and construction kits and science experiments. The staff is great - they encourage you to play with stuff, and even join in sometimes. If I lived anywhere near Hyde Park, I'd probably come by here just for fun on a regular basis, and if I actually wanted to buy something for a child, this is the first place I'd go. read more

I was so happy to learn this place existed!! I visited for the first time today and fell in love. I've lived in Chicago (Bronzeville, specifically) for two years and have a one year old. I've been buying toys for my son either from Amazon or various Targets in the city. I was missing going to an actual toy store, and did not want to always have to drive downtown or up north to get to one. My sister-in-law put me onto Toys Etc and now I'm hooked. They have a great selection of toys and books for every age group, starting with newborns. The baby items are in the front and the sections get progressively older as you move farther into the store. The sales clerks were very helpful without hovering and offered to gift wrap my purchases free of charge. I bought toys and books for my son, my nephews, and a friend's daughter. I readily joined their rewards program because I know I'll be a frequent customer. I love that they've been open since the 70's and I'll happily support this adorable small (and very much needed) business so they can remain open for years to come. read more

This was one of my favorite stores to go into when I was a child and it was in Harper Court . They have so many fun toys that you can buy for children. Not only that but they are also educational as well read more

On the occasions when I am in the market for new toys, I come here. This local shop reflects the tastes of its clientele (U of C people) and most of the toys have a European simplicity to them. This is not a place to buy video game cartridges, cheap Chinese knockoffs and weapon-laden action figures; this is a place for wooden puzzles and Playmobil sets. Classic toys that are durable enough to be passed on. read more

The best toy store in the city IMHO. I grew up going here in the original Harper Court location and I recently went to the new location. Still the greatest. I love how their toys are more educational than anything else. Great place to get a gift for a kid. 2 very enthusiastic thumbs up! read more

This is a cute little toy store, with a lot of stuff packed in there. I think any kid would love going here, even if they are Playstation fiends. Old fashioned, educationally minded toy store you can feel good taking your child to. read more

An actual independent toy store. Walking into this place is like going back in time or stepping into a fairy tale. No long sterlie linoleum aisles filled with plastic crap. It's quaint and a little crowded but designed to be strolled through at a leasurely pace. The stock is rich in educational items and has more woody European gear than you will find at the giant giraffe store, that's for sure. Bring your kid and your imagination. You won't regret it. read more

Beautiful toy store! They carry a great selection of high quality toys and games. They carry a lot of great brands like Melissa and Doug, Ravensburger puzzles, Thomas the Train, Lego, playmobile, etc. read more

Toys are overpriced, especially LEGO which was 30% more expensive than the official LEGO store downtown and target.

Terrific toy store! Toys of all kind. Nice friendly staff. I frequent the store on 55th and Lake Park. Friendly and knowledgable staff. Keep up the great work read more

What a great place! The staff is always friendly... helpful, but not pushing a sale. Fantastic selection of Thomas the Train for my 2 year old. Loving coming here! read more

Adorable toy shop tucked away in a shopping center. They really have everything. I was looking for one specific game, and found it there - along with hundreds of others I had never heard of! Great stuff for kids, but also general family-game type stuff like puzzles. read more

I really love this toy store to pick up items for my daughter as well as birthday presents for the other children in my life unfortunately I have started to notice that their customer service needs an overhaul. The cashier was rude and got an attitude with me when I asked for a gift receipt when I already asked for both of the items I purchased to be gift wrapped. As a customer I shouldn't have to ask for something so little when it's clear these items are for a birthday. Given that the price point for this store tends to be higher than the average toy store you would think people would have better attitudes at this location. Management needs to take a look at who is working the front as their poor customer service can run this Hyde Park gem into the ground! read more