The Largest and Most Famous Toy Stores in the World

 

We might have grown up, being kids or adults by now, but we all know that there will always be a childish part within us. A part of us who likes to be surprised with little, who likes to play and laugh without thinking too much about worries. So why not let this side of us come out while traveling?

There are several toy shops around the globe that will make you daydream. They are not just simple shops, but real attractions, with small museums, rides, entertainment, and various activities.

Do you want to feel like a kid again and get away from the everyday worries?

Let’s discover the largest and most famous toy stores in the world!

9. American Girl Place, Chicago (USA)

One of the largest and most famous toy stores in the United States is the wonderful doll-only shop American Girl Place. It’s located in Chicago, Illinois, precisely on Michigan Avenue, in the historic center. Opened in 1986, inside the store you will find yourself in front of many American Girl dolls which have become a pillar in the American toy industry.

In the beginning, the dolls represented the different ethnic groups and cultures of America. Gradually, more modern dolls were added, up to those of today, each with its own history and background. Apart from being just a store where dolls are sold, it’s a place where children can play with dolls, get tea, take them to the hairdresser, and dress them up with clothes and accessories. There’s even a chance to create an identical shirt for the doll and its owner. And, there is a restaurant, accessible by reservation only. The store is open from Monday to Thursday 10:00-20:00, Friday 10:00-21:00, Saturday 9:00-21:00, and Sunday 9:00-18:00.

8. Charles Ro Supply Company, Malden (USA)

We stay in the United States, but this time we move to Malden, Massachusetts, 10 km from the famous Boston. Here is this shop completely dedicated to toy trains, the largest in the United States.

So get ready to enter a magical world and to make all your childhood wishes come true. Here you will find trains of all kinds, in scale, models, mechanical trains, on rails, etc. Apart from the sales service, there is also the maintenance, assistance, and repair service. Inside you can also admire a beautiful already assembled train running on the rails. It’s impossible to leave the store without buying at least one small locomotive!

7. Lark Toys, Kellog (USA)

Now we move to Minnesota, a US state that borders Canada. Here, in the tiny town of Kellog, is one of the most famous and loved toy shops in the whole country – Lark Toy. It’s best known for its wooden toys, but you can find all kinds of toys. The store is open every day from 9:30 to 17:00.

But Lark Toys is not just a shop. It is a real attraction to spend an afternoon in! In addition to the toy shop, where you can buy games of all kinds, from the most traditional to the most technological ones, you will also find a mini-golf course with 18 holes, a museum of antique toys, a hand-carved wooden carousel, a bar, and a sweet shop.

6. The Little Dollhouse Company, Toronto (Canada)

In Toronto, we find the shop with the largest assortment of dollhouses in the world – The Little Dollhouse Company. It is located in the East York neighborhood, about 8 km from the historic center, or Old Toronto. It’s open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00, Sunday from 12:00 to 17:00, and it’s closed on Mondays. Hence, you can easily reach it by public transport.

Here you will find dollhouses of all kinds. But that’s not all! Here you can create your perfect home – choose the covering, the rooms, all the furnishings, and accessories. It is not only the perfect world for children but also for all collectors and enthusiasts as here you will really find everything you need.

5. The Doll Hospital, Lisbon (Portugal)

And now, let’s fly to Europe, to a very special shop that has earned the reputation of one of the most beautiful in the world – The Doll Hospital!

De bonecas in Portuguese means dolls and this is a real hospital for dolls. It is located in the heart of Lisbon, just 700 meters from the famous Rua Augusta Arch, an arch that joins the central street Rua Augusta with one of the main squares, Praça do Comércio. The shop is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 19:00, Saturdays until 18:00, and closed on Sundays.

This is not one of the largest shops in the world but it’s certainly one of the most famous for its peculiarity. As the name implies, it is a real doll hospital. Here, apart from buying wonderful dolls, children can take their broken doll to be repaired in a real medical center. The staff will take care of the doll (complete with medical records) and refurbish it and the children can watch the process.

4. Kiddy Land, Tokyo (Japan)

We move to Tokyo, to the famous KIddi Land – a toy store spread on 4 floors where you can immerse yourself for at least a few hours. It is located in the most famous district of Shibuya, a district famous for shopping, clubs, and discos. This is the neighborhood that never sleeps! The shop is open every day from 11:00 to 21:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 10:30.

Kiddy Land is a real institution, loved not only by children but also by collectors as here you can find some of the most famous limited editions, as well as unique toys from Japan. Furthermore, by visiting it, you can get closer to this side of the Japanese culture. Of course, there’s a department dedicated to the famous Hello Kitty, the kitty loved all over the world and born in the country. But you can also find dolls and games of different Japanese characters.

3. Lego Store, London (England)

This is not just a generic toy store! Opened in 2016, this is the largest lego store in the world! It is located in the city center overlooking Leicester Square. It is close to all major attractions such as the National Gallery (200m) and Buckingham Palace (1.5km). It’s open from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 18:00.

If you love this game, then this is a truly unmissable stop! We are not talking about a simple shop, but a real attraction, with huge lego constructions inside, including a Big Ben built for the inauguration. At the entrance, you will definitely find a bit of a queue and you will also be given a map of the interior of the shop, but the wait is absolutely worth it. And, you can create your own custom Lego avatar so that it looks like you!

2. Kid’s Cavern, Sands Cotai Central, Macau (China)

In second place on the list, we find the wonderful Kid’s Cavern shop which is located inside the Sands Cotai Central, in Macau, China. The location itself is already incredible since the Sands Cotai Central is a huge resort, where apart from the shop, there are several luxury hotels, numerous boutiques, restaurants, and a casino. Macau is referred to as the Las Vegas of the East, due to its worldwide reputation as the gambling capital.

Returning to the Kid’s Cavern, given the intro on Macau, you can imagine what you can find there. It’s a shop covering over 3.000 square meters, full of toys. But that’s not all! Here you can also find children’s clothing from many different brands, an entire department dedicated to sweets and candies, a sector for legos, and, of course, a sector dedicated to the heroes of Marvel you just can’t miss. The shop is open every day from 11:30 to 20:30.

1. Hamley’s, London (England)

And, at the top of this list is the huge London toy store in the Soho neighborhood – Hamley’s. It is really easy to reach, as it is only 1 km from Trafalgar Square and 750 meters from Piccadilly Circus. Expanding on over 7 floors, this shop is open every day from 11:00 to 19:00 and Sundays from 12:00. It was established in 1760 but the current Regent Street store (London’s shopping street) opened in 1880. This is undoubtedly a  must-see, especially if you are traveling with kids.

Once inside, you will be catapulted into a wonderful world, full of toys, where you too will return to childhood. Each floor has its own theme and you can find everything, from the most classic games, such as dolls and puppets, to the most technological ones. But that’s not all! There are also mini shows held every day, from magic shows to puppet shows for the little ones, and the staff is always there to show and try out the newest games. They also have a well-stocked online store where you can buy games of all kinds and for all ages.