Once you become a parent, you quickly find out that not all toys are created equal. It seems like half of the products out there are flimsy enough to break within two uses. Meanwhile the other half are loud, over-stimulating hunks of plastic guaranteed to haunt your dreams. Surely, there’s a better option, right? The answer is a wholehearted yes! At Little Lincoln’s Toy Shop, they are all about creating a more joyful playtime for kids of all ages. As a Springfield milestone photographer, I love working with families to help them discover the very best resources around. Here’s why this Illinois toy shop shines above the rest!
3001 W White Oaks Dr, Springfield, Illinois 62704
Over 150 years ago, there stood a little toy shop just down the street from the White House. Stuntz Toy Shop was a charming space where you could stop in, see some tiny wooden soldiers, and occasionally spot a certain president, towering over the aisles while looking for the perfect thing for his son. Throughout the tenure of a high-pressure presidency, Abraham Lincoln would unwind for a few hours by stopping into the establishment and chatting with the owner, Joseph Stuntz. While that shop might have been lost to the pages of history, the legacy lives on across the country, especially right here in the late president’s hometown.
At Little Lincoln’s Toy Shop, they use the inspiration of Stuntz to bring modern families high-quality toys for kids of all ages. They place a huge priority on finding educational pieces that will nourish your child’s imagination. Their belief is that playtime should be both fun and memorable. While your child might learn a lot throughout their playtime, fun is always going to be at the center of all they do!
Little Lincoln’s Toy Shop carries some of the best brands on the market today. You can drop in and find names like Melissa & Doug, Hape, Fat Brain Toys, Brio Trains, Calico Critters, Magna-Tiles, and Douglas Plush. With thousands of toys to choose from, you are always going to have the perfect thing for your little one.
If you could use a little help navigating their giant inventory, I highly suggest stopping by their website, where you can sort through all the products by age. Their selection starts in infancy with colorful pieces guaranteed to boost your child’s development. You can make tummy time a little more bearable with a Mobi Developmental Mirror or get through the perilous teething weeks with their Gumlii rattles. As your little one rolls into the toddler stage, help them build up their gross motor skills with some stackers or magnetic dinosaurs. The shop’s xylophones are a great way to get your child interested in music, while their LumiPets Night Lamp will give your child some comfort throughout bedtime.
As your child starts to get older, Little Lincoln’s Toy Shop will provide you with the perfect products to let them dive deep into their hobbies. They offer forts, butterfly gardens, music players, and puzzles. Looking for the ideal thing for your next family night? Then check out their game selection, where you can find options like Dinosaur Escape or Feed the Woozle. Their books will make each storytime a little more engaging, and their outdoor activities will encourage your child to get out and explore nature. Additionally, they have color-with-water sets that are going to be the MVPs of your next road trip!
While this store might have earned its reputation with its fabulous toy selection, they have all the additional gear you could need to get through those early years of parenthood. When you stop in, you can find baby wipes, diapers, bibs, bottles, and baby socks. They have bath toys that will keep your child entertained each night. Then, once it’s time to snuggle up for one last story, they have cuddly stuffed animals that can listen alongside your child!
Not only is Little Lincoln’s Toy Shop dedicated to bringing you better toys, but they also love working with you to make gift-giving a little easier. The very first way they do so is with their expert recommendations. Their employees take pride in knowing exactly what kids actually want. When you stop in, you can tell them all about the child you are buying for. They’ll consider ages and interests as they get to work matching you with the perfect object. Trust me, you are going to be amazed at just how knowledgeable they are about pretty much everything. And once you have that perfect thing, they offer gift wrapping free of charge.
When you leave, you’ll have a beautiful piece ready to stand apart from the rest of the gift table. Don’t have enough time to stop by and pick something out? Then you can head over to their website and purchase a digital gift card! These get emailed directly to the birthday kid. When the card arrives, they will have all the information they need to redeem it, plus there are no added processing fees and no expiration dates.
Last but certainly not least, this shop makes it easy for your child to build up their wish list. They can swing by and create their birthday bin gift registry. With this option, you can say goodbye to repeat presents and unnecessary guesswork!
If you are looking for a better playtime, I think you are about to fall in love with Little Lincoln’s Toy Shop! This Springfield shop is dedicated to providing you with a fantastic selection of the best toys out there!
Are you looking for more ways to make these years a little extra memorable? Then I would love to connect! I am a Springfield milestone photographer, and I love working with parents to plan sessions so they can celebrate each season with their little ones. If you have been considering booking a session with your crew, I would love to chat about it! Send me a message today if you would like to learn more!