Need more ideas? These local stores have more hot-ticket items for your holiday gift basket, as well as educational, sustainable and battery-free fun to last all year.
Dragonfly Castle Toys
4747 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201
This store is located in historic Lawrenceville and specializes in non-electronic toys, science toys and all-ages toys. Its motto is “No batteries. No screens. Pure fun!” At Dragonfly Castle Toys, you can find PlanToys, the most environmentally sustainable toys in the world.
dragonflycastle.com
Learning Express Toys – Mt. Lebanon
1500 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228
This store is located within South Hills Village Mall (Mt. Lebanon) and focuses on educational toys, puzzles, and games. At Learning Express Toys, you might be able to find Labubus this season, and you can definitely find a variety of Fart Monsters — squeezable plush toys with the silliest sounds. Other popular items include Kawaii Slime and Wigglitz.
learningexpress.com
Lynlott Miniatures Dollhouse Junction
223 Commercial Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15215
This store is in Aspinwall and specializes in miniatures and dollhouses. Additionally, Lynlott sells soft toys and wooden toys (such as Melissa & Doug) and related toys.
dollhousejunction.com
Playthings Etc.
2483 William Flynn Highway, Butler, PA 16001
This store is in Butler (about an hour north of Pittsburgh) and sells toys, science kits and hobby products. Lots of inventory and lots to explore! LEGO is in abundance at Playthings Etc., as well as Bruder Toys — the finest selection of toy trucks, made in Germany.
playthings-etc.com
Room To Grow
146 S. Main St., Zelienople, PA 16063
This store is in the quaint town of Zelienople and sells toys and games (hand-picked educational and unique items), wooden train sets, books, puzzles and games. Room to Grow offers classic toys, Folkmanis® Puppets and Ravensburger Puzzles.
roomtogrowtoys.com
Squishable
1000 Ross Park Mall Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
This store is located within Ross Park Mall (North Hills) and specializes in all things squishy! There is much more offered than the standard plush animal. There are also food-themed Squishables (like pizza, boba tea and sushi) and fantasy ones (like cryptids, dragons and monsters). Many kids like to collect them or display them.
squishable.com
S W Randall Toyes & Giftes
630 Smithfield St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222
This store is in downtown Pittsburgh, walking distance from the Cultural District. It sells toys, board games, Pittsburgh memorabilia and gifts and has been a Pittsburgh staple for 55 years. S W Randall staff will try their best to keep NeeDoh® and Squishies on the shelves.
swrandalltoys.com
Carrie Woodard is a National Certified Counselor, National Certified School Counselor, and a Pittsburgh mama of two.
