Officially the largest and oldest toy store in the world, Hamleys on Regent Street is without a doubt the best on the planet. With seven floors full of toys, games, crafts and magic tricks, people travel from all over the world to visit this magical store and stock up on gifts for the lucky little ones. In Kellogg, Minnesota, it's more than just a huge family toy store, they also have a work carousel with beautifully carved and painted animals, an outdoor 18-hole mini golf course, a children's bookstore, and a candy and candy store. Lark has a wide variety of traditional puppet theater toys, with many interactive areas for children to participate.
There is also a charming display of old toys in its “memory lane” section, which serves as a mini-museum. Like the once ubiquitous Toys R Us stores in the United States, Kiddy Land stores can be found all over Japan. With so many locations, Kiddy Land's flagship store in Harajuku, Tokyo is something special. It started as a simple bookstore in the 1950s and eventually expanded to fill five floors with virtually every type of toy imaginable.
Visitors will find Star Wars and Peanuts branded merchandise along with traditional Japanese favorites such as Hello Kitty and Rilakkuma. The store is known for its specialty stores and boutiques dedicated to specific characters and brands, which include many special-release items that cannot be found anywhere else. Like the rest of Harajuku's shopping district, and like all major toy stores, Kiddy Land is packed with an overwhelming variety of merchandise, shoppers and visitors. The shop also houses many gashaspon machines, which spit out small toys enclosed in capsules or eggs, for a small fee, of course.
For fans of all things Barbie, or those who simply like to embrace everything pink and feminine, Buenos Aires offers the world's first independent Barbie store. Spread over 7,000 square feet, the store sells a variety of Barbie dolls and accessories, but it's more about bringing the Barbie experience to visitors than simply selling toys. Visitors can relax and enjoy a meal in the tea room or get a treatment at the in-store spa and beauty salon. Kids can explore the pay-per-hour playroom, which is stocked with Barbie dolls, clothes and games, or simply shop for the latest Barbie-inspired fashion in the boutique area.
A private party room is the perfect place for a children's birthday party or girlfriend reunion. The Once Upon a Toy store at Orlando's Downtown Disney Resort is truly a treat to the eye; in fact, the decor is so stunning that you might forget all about the merchandise. In addition to being able to buy almost any LEGO toy set imaginable, children of all ages can enjoy some of the largest LEGO models ever created, such as an underground railway, London's famous Big Ben, the London Underground map and even the English bard, William Shakespeare himself. This store is mainly aimed at collectors, but there is always something magical for children too.
While all the toy stores that are on this list really deserve to be there, there is one that didn't quite pass because it really isn't a toy store per se.
Hamleys on Regent Street
, London, is one of the most iconic toy stores in the world, and 5 million people a year continue to flock to this toy paradise to get their fix of the latest toys. The Detsky Mir in Moscow is the largest toy store in the city and has everything from stuffed animals to baby food. Once you walk through the door, you'll notice that the store is full of toys and exhibits, including amusements from both Disney and other brands.Located in Tokyo's famous Harajuku district, Kiddyland's flagship store is perhaps the coolest toy store in the world. Located in one of the most beautiful covered arcades in Paris, Si Tu Veux, in the 2nd arrondissement of the City of Light, is an authentic old-fashioned magic toy store. Sure, you've seen all the usual LEGO dolls and kits in every department store in your city, but you can never miss having real toy stores. Whether your child aspires to be Moana, Tiana, Ariel or Cinderella, the Disney Store in New York is a one-stop shop for high-quality Disney trinkets, accessories and costumes (you might buy two since your kids won't want to take them off even when it's time to do their laundry).
