Thinker Toys

This small independent toy store is one that you should definitely visit if you long for the more quality, handcrafted, wooden toys rather than the plasticy offerings found at most large toy chains. They have lots of great wooden toys for babies and young children, including wooden dollhouses, play kitchen stuff, and a variety of different educational supplies for building and creating. My daughter loves the toys here and I love that they challenge her to use her brain! The store is located in quaint Multnomah Village, within easy walking distance of lunch, coffee (both local and Starbucks), and a wonderful bookstore (Annie Blooms). more

If Toys 'R Us ain't your thang, then I'm sure you have already sought out all of the little indie shops here in Portland. This is one of our two most favorite shops, especially for younger kids. They have all of the great wooden toys for babies and growing kids (brio, etc.). I have also noticed a great collection of European manufactured construction trucks, no Tonka here. Also available are those nice European tricycles, wooden dollhouse sets, make-believe clothes, kitchen stuff, and a bunch of different building and science related toys. Plus, the store is located in Multnomah Village, within walking distance of lunch, treats, a nice playground, coffee (both local and Starbucks), and all of the other great stuff this nice part of town has to offer. There is a chair available for nursing and a ramp for accessibility from the lower to upper level of the store (a favorite of my daughter - they cleverly put a bunch of bins with tempting little toys along the ramp). more