I’m pretty sure any kid who has to return to spending their days inside deserves a little treat.
From vintage toys to a workshop series for aspiring toy inventors, I’ve compiled a list of places that’ll help you spoil the kids in your life as they get back into the swing of sitting still and studying.
Claw It (Chinatown)
Why buy toys off a regular, boring shelf when you could make an afternoon out of grabbing them with a claw machine? Claw It at 2252 S. Canal St. has 40 claw machines filled with plush toys, collectibles, Pokémon cards, candies, and soda. They also host kids’ birthday parties!
- 🧸 If you win a handful of smaller plushies and toys, you can trade them in for a bigger prize. Check out visitors’ biggest wins.
Toy De Jour (Logan Square)
Toy De Jour at 2532 W. Fullerton Ave. has over 2,500 square feet of “Vintage, Toys, Arts & Farts,” making it one of the largest vintage toy shops in the city. They specialize in toys from the 80s and 90s, and regularly host group art shows themed around toys and pop culture. And if you’re in the market for fake poop, they’ve got that too!
- 🪀 If you have an old bin of Barbies or My Little Ponies or Star Wars action figures lying around, you can sell them at the shop! Just check this list of items they’re looking for before you go.
Play (Multiple Locations)
Play, which has locations all over the city, offers an extensive selection of toys organized neatly into themes, like “blast from the past,” “planes, trains, and automobiles,” “unicorns, rainbows, and sparkles,” and much more. If you send them your budget and a description of what the kid in your life is interested in, they’ll curate a pre-wrapped box of goodies.
- 🎁 They also offer personalized gift boxes for birthdays or special occasions, like someone becoming a big brother or sister. Right now, they have a back-to-school play pack that’s perfect for commemorating the first day of classes.
Timeless Toys (Lincoln Square)
Established in 1993, the owner of Timeless Toys at 4749 N. Lincoln Ave. curates the store based on his passion for child development. This fall, they’re hosting three Sunday workshops for the “Young Inventors Challenge,” where kids aged 6-15 can turn an idea into a real toy or game, build a prototype, and pitch it to the toy industry.
- 📚 For a back-to-school season sale, Timeless Toys is offering 15% off on all books through Aug. 28. On the last day of the sale, teachers can get an extra 10% off on anything they buy in-store.
