If there is one thing I love to do to tangibly support my city, it’s shopping small. The Magic City has some wonderful small businesses, from bookstores, to breweries, to coffee shops, that we’ve highlighted here on BMC previously. Now, it’s time for this mom blog to tackle the local toy stores in Birmingham.
Disclaimer: I left my children at home during my research for this post, so there is no input from them regarding these stores. However, as a mom, I feel like my thoughts are pretty valid, here. Without further ado, here are the best places to shop for toys nearby.
Homewood Toy & Hobby
This Homewood institution is the oldest toy store in the Birmingham area. Equipped with a play area, you can actually bring your kiddos into this store without constantly hearing, “Can I have it?” From books, to costumes, to building blocks of all brands, to baby doll accessories, to arts and crafts, you’ll definitely find something great, here. The wall of board games and puzzles is great for picking out timeless gifts for children (& adults) of any age. Plus, they carry a large selection of items for various adult hobbies, too!
Goodies
New to Homewood, this toy store is like nothing else in town. This store is filled with floor-to-ceiling bins of small, interactive toys. You will pick a bag or bucket when you enter, then your child can fill it up with as many toys as will fit (with a closed lid) for one pre-determined price based on size. While your little one is picking and playing, you can enjoy the lounge area, stocked with treats and coffee. Goodies also offers birthday parties and other events, including day camps and parents’ night out. You can even bring your empty bucket back at a later date and refill it for a discount! How fun is that?!
Snoozy’s Kids!
This Mountain Brook store is a delightful place to stop by if you’re in need of toys for the littles in your life. If you aren’t sure what to gift your loved one, George can help you pick out the perfect item within your budget. If you’d like to do some research before your next shopping trip, you can stop in for a Holiday Cataloge that includes a store coupon. There is also a nice adult gift section near the entrance that includes coffee table books, jewelry, and other accessories. What is better during holiday season than a one-stop shop?!
Hattie’s Toyland
Nestled in Trussville’s Entertainment District, Hattie’s Toyland aims to provide a magical space to help you find exactly what you need to celebrate life’s big moments. The employees welcome customers with open arms and are ready to giggle with you, cry with you, or simply help you dream a little bigger. Carrying fun products for kids of all ages, this shop has everything from stimulating baby toys (in their adorable Babyland room), to GameDay gear, to tween room decor, to timeless children’s toys, and so much more! Be sure to stop by and experience this delightful place for yourself sometime. With a wall reading “This is the Magic Place,” you’ll definitely leave feeling like you’ve just experienced a bit of childhood magic in this shop.
Bricks & Minifigs
This Vestavia shop off of Montgomery Highway is your go-to for all things Lego! Their three R’s—rebuild, reuse, reimagine—drive the store’s purpose, which is to buy and re-sell Lego products. You can find, pre-loved sets, bricks, accessories, and minifigures, as well as brand-new Lego sets, here. So, whether you need some pre-loved toys at an affordable price or a specific retired set, be sure to stop by for a visit!
Learning Express Toys
In Cahaba Heights, this store has a wide array of toys and gifts for children of all ages, including those hard to shop for teens. Jewelry, candy, athletic gear, and even educational activities can be purchased here. Their wall of Squishmallows is truly something to behold! It made me want one for myself, and I have literally no use for a stuffed animal in my life. (There’s also a nice, clean bathroom in this store, so feel free to let those potty-training toddlers tag along.)
Presently Goods
While this shop is primarily online, you will find them at pop-ups at Yellowhammer Creative. This store’s growing collection from small brands showcases toys that value inclusivity, celebrate culture, and use recycled materials. That means if you’re tired of sifting through sparkly pink things for the tomboy-ish girls in your life or if you have a nephew that’s more into cooking than building, this is the store for you! With a large selection of gender-neutral toys, you can be sure all this kids you love will find something to enjoy here! (Bonus: Gender neutral toys can be great hand-me-downs or heirlooms, so you’ll get quite the bang for your buck if you go that route!) Plus, you can send them your important dates for gifting, and they’ll email reminders and gift suggestions to you. How easy is that?!
