Traveling can be elusive on kid and parent , but promising a head trip to the toy store at your name and address just might be enough to keep a child ’s behavior in check during your travels . The humankind ’s most improbable toy dog store provide so much more than just shop . They ’re an experience in and of themselves , full of admiration , and can make even hardened grownups feel like kids again . From lifetime - sized character made of build block to toy dog shop equipped with theaters and mini golf track , these top - ranking toyshops have proven themselves well worth a sojourn , even if it ’s just to marvel at their conception and whimsy . Who knows ? You might even find your fresh favored toy , or rediscover an quondam favorite .
8: Hamleys, London
Hamleys has been in business organisation since 1760 , and at its current location on London ’s Regent Street since 1881 . With seven stories to research , you ’ll ascertain classic darling and the latest and greatest in toys and amusement , including friendly workers offering demonstration and plenty of chances to try things out for yourself . The store features one of the biggest Build - A - Bear workshops on the satellite , where kids can choose from an impressive selection of plushy friends , clothes and add-on . A largeLegosection features a revolving excerption of life - size of it displays , place from classic sketch characters to members of the royal family , all made exclusively from building bricks . If you need a jailbreak from all the fun , halt off at Scrumpaliscious , a world - class confect shop located on the top floor . Do n’t forget to check out out Hamleys ' celebrated window display , especially if you confab during the holidays . And despite its long story , the store does n’t show its age thanks to a full restoration completed in 2012 .
7: Kiddy Land, Tokyo
Like the once omnipresent toy R Us stores in the United States , Kiddy Land entrepot can be found throughout Japan . With so many locations , Kiddy Land ’s flagship storage in Harajuku , Tokyo is something special . It started as a uncomplicated bookshop in the 1950s and eventually expanded to fill five stories with virtually every eccentric of toy imaginable . visitor will findStar Warsand Peanuts - branded merchandise alongside traditional Japanese favorites like Hello Kitty and Rilakkuma . The store is get laid for its distinctiveness workshop and boutiques dedicate to specific lineament and brand , which let in many special departure detail that ca n’t be plant anywhere else . Like the quietus of the surrounding Harajuku shopping dominion , and like all heavy toy stores , Kiddy Land is crush - packed with an overwhelming raiment of merchandise , shopper and visitant . The store also houses plenty ofgashasponmachines , which spit out little toys incase in space capsule or egg , for a small fee of course .
6: Lego Imagination Center, Orlando, Florida
TheLegoImagination Center at Orlando ’s Downtown Disney building complex is half - computer storage , half - playground . It ’s the declamatory Lego store in the U.S. , and shoppers look for specific sets are potential to find what they ’re looking for , including both standard and Disney - themed Seth – Cinderella ’s Castle anyone [ author : Disney ] ? Those seeking single piece of music should seek out the intact rampart of the store give to single component part , all neatly arranged in compartments for easy shopping . Beyond the blocks , visitor can purchase relic and Lego - themed clothes , like thyroxine - shirt and jammies . If you ’re more interested in browsing , the inside of the stock offer up several tables equipped with blocks for spare shimmer . Outside beneath an awning , Lego lovers can play in the 3,000 - satisfying - invertebrate foot gaming area , or build up and race a usance Lego racecar . If it ’s inspiration you essay , ascertain out the ever - changing displays of life - sized figures , including an impressive ocean serpent made entirely of bricks who guards the nearby lagune .
5: Lark Toys, Kellogg, Minnesota
The town of Kellogg , Minnesota , is home to one of the largest family - own toy dog stores in the United States . Part retail storage and part entertainment ballpark , Lark miniature proffer 20,000 square foot of fun [ informant : Hansen ] . The fund open in 1983 , primarily to sell a line of handcraft wooden toys . Over the years , the toy selection expanded , though you’re able to still buy a smorgasbord of wooden toys made by hand on situation . When you ’re finished shopping , head to the food for thought court for a meal , or get your sugar on with some local fudge or candy . Lark also houses an 18 - hole mini - golf course , an antique toy museum , and , funnily enough , a threesome of llamas . The piece - de - immunity at Lark is the wooden luggage carrousel , which founder Donn Kreofsky spent nine class carve and painting by hand . For a minuscule fee , tike or adults can take a tailspin on a piece of Minnesota history .
4: Barbie Store, Buenos Aires
For sports fan of all - thingsBarbie , or those who simply like to adopt all things pink and girly , Buenos Aires offers the world ’s first standalone Barbie store . Stretching more than 7,000 square feet , the store sell a mixed bag of Barbie bird and accouterment , but is more about bring the Barbie experience to visitors than merely selling toys . Visitors can relax and enjoy a meal in the teahouse , or take in a treatment at the storage ’s beauty salon and spa . tike can explore the give - by - the - hour rumpus room , which is chock full of Barbie chick , clothes and play sets , or simply shop for the latest Barbie - inspired fashions in the boutique area . A private party room offers the perfect blot for a youngster ’s birthday party or a girlfriend get - together .
3: Hakuhinkan Toy Park, Tokyo
The four - story Hakuhinkan Toy Park in Tokyo ’s Ginza district open in 1982 , and now include four floors of toys and playfulness . You ’ll find the recent westerly toys like Lego and Barbie alongside the hot TV games and electronics . There ’s also plenty of local Nipponese flavor , including way-out snack and crazy appliance you wo n’t encounter anywhere else . On the quaternary floor , there ’s a model racetrack where visitor can pay by the hour to race . In the basement , you ’ll find the headquarters of Japan ’s Licca - Chan fan club – think Barbie , Japanese style [ source : Time Out Tokyo ] . An onsite eating house and theater signify you could make a full day of your visit . go far after fill up ? Do n’t worry – a serial of vending machines outside the store allow you to purchase pop toy dog around the clock [ source : Lonely Planet ] .
2: Once Upon a Toy, Orlando, Florida
The Once Upon a Toy shop at Orlando ’s Downtown Disney complex is sincerely a treat for the eyes ; in fact , the decor is so telling that you may find yourself forget all about the merchandise . The visual feast begins before you get in the store , which is construct from oversized Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys ; a child - sized Mr. Potato Head and Buzz Lightyear at the entrance provide the perfect picture opportunity for toy dog fans . Once you pace through the doors , you ’ll mark that the shop is packed floor - to - roof with toys and displays , including both Disney and non - Disney amusement . call in the make - your - own - potato station to craft a custom Mr. Potato Head , or put together the utter set of Lincoln Logs at the DIY Lincoln Log center . Play princess in the aglitter castle elbow room , and marvel at the variety of board secret plan , stuffed brute and infinite other toys throughout the storage . When you see , do n’t block to search up ; in every elbow room , you ’ll find truly amazing ceiling displays , from Peter Pan and Wendy soar overhead , to elephantine game art object , to model string that trip through the rafter .
1: American Girl Place, Chicago
The American Girl franchise bulge out as a simple mail - club catalogue in the ' 80s , and has raise to become one of the comfortably - loved bird brands for girls . In 1998 , the company launched its first retail store , a 52,000 square foot space in Chicago . Girls who love the brand can shop for the late in doll , clothes and furniture , or innovation agree T - shirt for themselves and their favorite American Girl doll at the entrepot ’s Tee - shirt stripe . An onsite whisker beauty parlour allows you to spoil your doll with a new ' do before you steer to the store ’s portrait studio and get pictures make of you and your best friend . see the onsite café for a straightaway beak - me - up , or take your doll with you for a fancy tea armed service . The American Girl doll hospital can remediate wiped out arm and other dolly complaint , while especial event insure there ’s always something new to do with each visit . If all those toys and attractor are n’t enough , consider this : in 2014 , the lav at Chicago ’s American Girl Place were named among the 10 in effect restrooms in the country thanks to kid - friendly fixtures and custom doll holder in every stall [ seed : Black ] .
Lots More Information
I ’m not ashamed to take that plaything store are my guilty pleasure when travel , especially when I derive across one that ’s truly wondrous , with a Willy - Wonka vibe that makes me feel like a tiddler again . While all the plaything stores that made this leaning truly merit to be there , there ’s one that did n’t quite make the cut because it ’s not really a toy computer memory per se . The miniature department at Harrod ’s in London intercept me in my cut when I gossip a few Xmas ago . It ’s every bit as magical as many of the Earth ’s top toy shop , specially during the holiday , and well worth a sojourn , even without kids in tow .
