Toy stores are treasure troves filled with board games, handcrafted puzzles and plushies galore – an experience that can’t be replicated by shopping online or in a big box store. The Schaumburg area is home to some of Chicagoland’s best independent toy stores. Here are some of our favorites.
Alex Toys
- Address: 1209 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg
Created by the teams from Toys “R” Us Canada, Alex Toys is a new store concept featuring an extensive range of toys for kids and collectors, including many brands not typically stocked in big-box stores. The shelves are full of learning and exploration toys that will help children develop through play. Name brands include everything from LEGO and Funko Pops to Barbie and Melissa & Doug.
Purple Me Green
- Address: Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg
An educational toy store at Woodfield Mall that’s part toy store, part play space, Purple Me Green specializes in science toys, experiment kits and nature gifts. Created to foster a love of science and knowledge and encourage kids to engage in STEM based play, kids will especially love interacting with the store’s live animals (land snails, guinea pigs, snakes, and more) while they’re browsing around. The store is so popular, they even have a pop up truck that travels to various locations to bring science fun straight to kids.
Marvin’s Toy Store
- Address: 100 E. Station St., Barrington
At Marvin’s Toy Store, guests will not find toys filled with electronics, but instead items that excite and challenge young minds. Owners and mother-daughter duo Lori and Kate McConville ensure their toys fit one of nine criteria for their inventory, focused on environmental consciousness, social responsibility, active play and responsible manufacturing. Additionally, they intentionally look for products made in America and Illinois, when possible.
Learning Express Toys
- Address: 315 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich
One of five Chicagoland locations, Learning Express carries games, plushies, crafting and science kits and more with an emphasis on educational, creative play. Having a hard time deciding what to gift a child’s classmate for their birthday? Learning Express offers a convenient Birthday Box program where kids can come in and create a box with things they would like for their birthday. Their friends and relatives can choose a gift from that registry.
Snickelfritz Toys
- Address: 700 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills
Family-owned and operated since opening in 1991, Snickelfritz Toys stocks an impressive collection of toys by some of the biggest toy-making brands, with babies all the way to young teenagers catered for. Previously in Hawthorn Mall, Snicklefritz outgrew its space and its now a freestanding store filled to the brim with dolls, books, action figures, dress up play, trains, blocks and more.
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