Coolest Stores for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

These days we can shop for anything we want or need, any time of day, at the touch of a screen. Often, it feels like too much effort to bother going to a physical store, especially with kids in tow. But when you’re looking for a unique item or searching for a special gift, nothing beats a locally owned shop with friendly, passionate, knowledgeable staff who can help you find what you're looking for.

Fortunately, families in the DC area have a wealth of wonderful independent stores and boutiques to choose from, whether shopping for toys, books, or children’s clothing. Some of them even offer family entertainment like storytimes, game nights, and more.

Here are 21 of the coolest toy stores, bookstores, gift shops, and more for kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia where you can find awesome stuff and support local businesses. For more great shops for kids, check out our lists of the best baby stores in DC and Black-owned businesses near DC.

 
Find your kiddo's next favorite toy at Child's Play. Photo by Tony Ventouris Photography

Best Toy Stores Near DC

1. Child’s Play — Washington, DC; Arlington & McLean, VA

Child’s Play has a fantastic collection of classic toys, board games, and pretend-play items, plus a well-curated selection of children’s books. During the pandemic, Child’s Play was one of my family’s go-to sources for finding new board games and card games to keep us entertained. We have always found the store’s staff to be very knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful.

2. Labyrinth Games & Puzzles — Washington, DC

Fun for all ages, Labyrinth specializes in games, puzzles, and all manner of hands-on, screen-free activities. The shop has an active events calendar, regularly hosting board game nights, game club meetings, tournaments, and more.

3. Tosche Station and Tosche Station: Echo Base — Springfield & Centreville, VA

Channel your inner Luke Skywalker and head to Tosche Station for all your power converter needs and so much more. Tosche Station and its Echo Base outpost carry new and vintage comic books and graphic novels, collectible card games like Pokémon, Dungeons & Dragons role-play games, and a wealth of action figures, toys, and collectibles.

4. Kinder Haus Toys — Arlington, VA

This charming toy store specializes in wood toys by brands such as Haba and Melissa and Doug, as well as plush toys, dolls, books, and more. A small play area is available for kids to enjoy while grown-ups shop, and storytime programs are offered two mornings a week. In addition to high-quality toys, the store also carries children’s clothes.

5. Doodlehopper 4 Kids — Falls Church, VA

Doodlehopper has a huge selection of toys, games, arts and crafts items, children’s books, and plush toys. The store is packed with a tremendous variety of well-known toy-brand favorites, as well as unique and unexpected finds, all designed to encourage creative play.

6. Dancing Bear Toys and Games — Frederick, MD

Dancing Bear has a great selection of toys, games, and crafts with plenty of emphasis on fun, creativity, and imaginative play. The store regularly hosts events including free craft activities, make-your-own-slime sessions, game nights, and tie-dye days.

7. The Toy Nest — Falls Church, VA

The Toy Nest is a unique cross between a used (or “pre-loved”) toy shop and an indoor play space. With a membership or drop-in fee, families can try out toys before they buy them in the in-store play space and can borrow toys from the toy library to take home, enjoy, and return the following week. If your child finds something they love, pay the “love it or lose it” price and it’s yours to keep.

Best Bookstores for Kids Near DC

8. Hooray for Books! — Alexandria, VA

As a specialty children’s bookstore, Hooray for Books! has an extensive inventory ranging from board books to classic picture books to young adult novels. The shop also carries puzzles, games, and toys and has expanded to offer a selection of books for adults as well. Hooray for Books! has weekly storytimes on Saturdays, monthly book club meetings, and regular author events.

9. Politics and Prose — Washington, DC

One of the most well-known and well-loved independent bookstores in DC, Politics and Prose has an excellent selection of children’s books. The store is known for its exceptional lineup of author events, and that includes an active calendar full of presentations by authors of popular books for children and teens.

10. Solid State Books — Washington, DC

Solid State Books was designed to be a neighborhood gathering space—a place where people can browse books, relax at the coffee bar, and enjoy a sense of community. The store has regularly scheduled storytime programs and an extensive children’s section with a cozy carpeted area to spread out and read.

11. Growing Minds Bookstore — Catonsville, MD

This small, cozy bookshop specializes in children’s books. The friendly and knowledgeable owner is often on site to welcome families and make book recommendations. The shop has a play area and a used-book section that includes books for adults, too.

12. East City Book Shop – Washington, DC

This colorful bookshop near Eastern Market has a sizable collection of children’s books as well as crafts and toys. The shop hosts a weekly storytime program on Thursday mornings for kids 4 and under with their caregiver, as well as monthly KidLit book clubs for kids, tweens, and teens.

 
Because Science hosts craft nights, science playtimes, and more events for kids. Photo courtesy of Amanda Preske, owner of Because Science

Best Gift Shops Near DC for Kids

13. Because Science — Washington, DC

Get your geek on at Because Science, a quirky, woman-owned, STEM-focused store in Adams Morgan. Browse all sorts of creative, science-themed gifts such as astronaut rattle socks, circuit-board magnets, and axolotl plushies. Many of the shop’s products are handmade in its design lab, where staff recycle old electronics into jewelry and art. Because Science also hosts events including craft nights, science playtimes for preschoolers, and STEM summer day camps.

14. Henry’s Sweet Retreat — Bethesda, MD

This modern sweet shop has the nostalgic feel of a traditional candy store. You’ll find classic candies, premium ice cream, decadent baked treats, and fun gifts and trinkets. There’s also a party room upstairs where the shop hosts summer camps, classes, and birthday parties.

15. Lil’ Thingamajigs — Rockville & Ellicott City, MD; Annandale, Centreville, & Herndon, VA

If you’ve got kawaii-loving kids or tweens, they’ll flip over the adorable selection of plushies, stationery, collectibles, and other novelties at Lil’ Thingamajigs. The store is dedicated to bringing the best of Asian pop culture to America, with a huge selection of Hello Kitty, Pokémon, K-pop, anime, and more.

16. Happy Place — Alexandria, VA

This unique Old Town Alexandria shop is bright, pink, colorful, and fun. Happy Place carries an eclectic variety of products including clothing, toys, stationery, gifts, and sweets. It’s hard to leave this vibrant, playful store without a smile on your face.

Best Clothing Stores for Kids Near DC

17. Yinibini Baby – Washington, DC

Yinibini Baby's clothing selection is focused only on the 4-and-under set, but you’ll find items here that you won’t find anywhere else. The shop specializes in organic cotton clothing screen-printed with unique illustrations personally designed by the shop’s owner, Soyini George. You’ll also find a selection of books, toys, and craft items for kids up to age 8.

18. Rue + Roe — Gaithersburg, MD 

Situated in the Kentlands neighborhood of Gaithersburg, Rue + Roe features women-owned, eco-friendly brands. This inviting boutique is not only a treasure trove of adorable children’s clothing, it’s also a community gathering place. Owners Briana Abedi and Madeline Kaufmann regularly host pop-up events like yoga night, children’s entertainment, and music classes.  

19. Lemon Lane — Falls Church, VA

If you’re looking for brand-name designer children’s clothing at a fraction of the cost, you may want to check out Lemon Lane. This upscale children’s consignment shop carries gently used, high-end children’s clothing in a range of sizes, from newborn to 16. Customers say they love the selection and usually make great finds. The inventory changes frequently, so you’ll find new items whenever you stop by.

20. Pam K. Bambini — Bethesda, MD

Pam K. Bambini specializes in chic, high-quality children’s clothing with a European flair. The boutique carries fashionable styles in size 0 to 14, along with a well-curated selection of toys, games, books, and crafts.

21. Pink & Brown — Alexandria, VA

Located in Old Town Alexandria, Pink & Brown carries 100% organic cotton clothing along with a selection of unique, high-quality toys, books, and accessories. Favorite items include the super-soft bamboo PJs and the charming and whimsical plush mouse dolls by Maileg.