Parents, let’s be honest for a second. Not all toys are created equally. It seems like, for every thoughtful Montessori piece, there are five junky options destined to turn your toybox into a noise-ridden nightmare. Not only are those toys sensory disasters, but they always seem to break pretty quickly. It’s time to find a different option to ensure your child can have a better playtime. The first step is to find a toy store that actually cares about helping children! Not only will these shops be able to help you find the perfect thing for your own child, but they are going to be your go-to for things like birthday parties and special surprises. As a Springfield milestone photographer, I love working with families to help them find the local spots I know they’re going to love. Here are the toy stores in Springfield, IL you should check out!
Discover Your Family’s New Favorite Toy Stores In Springfield, IL
Little Lincoln’s Toy Shop
3001 W White Oaks Dr, Springfield, Illinois 62704
Little Lincoln’s Toy Shop is a quintessential Springfield toy shop. The owners of this store drew their inspiration from Stuntz Toy Shop back in Washington, DC. This quaint toy shop served as Lincoln’s favorite escape while he served as our country’s history. In the midst of a very stressful presidency, he found solace in taking his son to the store to look at new items that would capture his imagination.
While that might have been well over 150 years ago, the experts at Little Lincoln’s Toy Shop still know the power of a family trip to the toy store. They have worked hard to curate a selection both you and your child will love. To quote the shop, they believe playtime should be “memorable, enriching, and fun!” They put special priority on educational pieces that will inspire your child to ask questions and figure out the answers for themselves. The owners research every single option they put on the shelves, selecting only those that will encourage creativity.
When you stop into this shop for your child, you can find some of the best brands like Fat Brain Toys, Melissa and Doug, Squishable, and Brio. Their selection is great for kids of all ages, starting in infancy.
In addition to their selection, they have tons of incentives that will keep you coming back! Their loyalty club gives you 5% back on any in-store purchase with points that never expire. They offer complimentary gift wrap, and they offer a birthday bin gift registry that helps your child get what they actually want for their next celebration!
Stuffed Safari
2951 Stanton St, Springfield, Illinois 62703
When Rachel was growing up, she loved nothing more than spending hours playing with her stuffed animals. The only issue? It seemed like toy makers really didn’t care much about providing options outside of cats, dogs, and bears. But Rachel loved all animals, and she wanted to find brand new ways to create adventures. She told all this to her parents, and they agreed that the market was simply too limited. So, they decided it was time to do something about it. They went to work creating a specialty toy store that carried high-quality stuffed animals for every child. The end result was Stuffed Safari!
Over at Stuffed Safari, they seriously have every option you could ever need. Is your child a dinosaur fiend? Then you can choose between stegosauruses, triceratops, brachiosauruses, t-rexes, velociraptors, diplodocuses, and more. Bug lovers can find options like brown spiders, caterpillars, scorpions, lightning bugs, and snails. There are jumbo animals perfect for cuddle time and palm pals your child can bring along in their backpack. What’s that? They don’t have a backpack? Then you can find stuffed animal-shaped ones perfect for all your adventures. The shop has clip-on plushes, playsets, dolls, and puppets. They even have mascot stuffed animals that let you show off your team pride! By the way, if your child is passionate about animals, be sure to check out their website. They regularly have activity pages and animal facts perfect for your little one!
Wonder & Rhyme
204 W Market Street, Taylorville, Illinois 62568
It’s never too early to plan a trip to Wonder & Rhyme! This Taylorville toy store just outside Springfield, IL has quickly become the go-to shop for parents before their babies are even born! The store has nursery decorations, belly balm, and maternity clothes you won’t mind wearing over and over for the next few months. Once your baby is born, you can continue to shop from a vast selection. Over in their clothing section, they offer adorable onesies, sassy graphic tees, and cozy leggings. Their selection goes all the way up to the teenage years with stylish pieces for every season.
And while all of that might be enough to sway you, the toy section is where this shop truly shines! They have a huge selection of toys from brands like ZIPIT, LEGO, and Tangles. Their portable train tables are a total must for road trips, while their dinosaur stackers are the perfect thing to boost your child’s coordination. If you are looking for something to encourage open-ended play for your child, you can try out their Tinker Totter sets or their stuffed animals. Additionally, this shop is exceptional when it comes to arts and crafts. You can stop in and find tools like air-dry clay, coloring sets, water-reveal pages, and scratch art. And before you leave, be sure to check out their books for your next storytime!
Wonder & Rhyme is a part of the Dear Yesteryear stores in historic Taylorville. Once you are done with this shop, you can check out their home goods store or grab something gorgeous over at their boutique. It’s the ideal way to spend a day out with your crew!
Kids And Adults Can Find Some Engaging Fun At These Great Toy Stores In Springfield, IL
If you are looking for the best way to brighten up your child’s playtime, I think you are really going to adore these toy stores in Springfield, IL! Plan your visit soon so you can surprise your child with the perfect thing!
Are you looking for more ways to make memories throughout these years? Then I would love to connect! I am a Springfield milestone photographer, and I love working with families to help them remember every moment. If you have been considering booking your session, let’s chat! Send me a message today to find out more!
