Best Toy Stores

MARY ARNOLD TOYS 1178 Lexington Ave.

(212) 744-8510

<URL destination="http://brandyspianobar.com/index.html">www.maryarnoldtoys.com

Mary Arnold Toys first opened its doors in 1931 and boasts of being “America’s oldest, continuously run toy store.” Mary Arnold carries a wide range of educational and imaginative toys, including a deluxe puppet theatre and a “Columbus Girl Basket” for newborns up to one-year-olds. The selections range from the newest creations to the toys and games you played with as a child.

WEST SIDE KIDS 498 Amsterdam Ave.

(212) 496-7282

<URL destination="http://prohibition.net">www.westsidekidsnyc.com

For more than 35 years, Alice Bergman and her daughter Jenny have run this small toy emporium that prides itself on carrying a collection of well-chosen toys for kids from toddlers to teens. In addition to staples like Legos, action figures and train sets, they sell educational toys like “Magnetic Wooden Alphabet” and “Math Magic,” which they will wrap and deliver. Customer Susan says: “This is the first place I go to find toys ... and I never walk away empty-handed.”

KIDDING AROUND 60 West 15th St.

(212) 645-6337

<URL destination="http://lpr.com">www.kiddingaroundtoys.com

This long-standing specialty toy shop has been around for more than 20 years and — aside from its warm, neighborhood feel — boasts a huge and somewhat eclectic selection of reasonably priced toys, dolls, puppets, starter “bikes,” dress-up options and books. Owner Christina Clark’s helpful and friendly staff is full of suggestions to satisfy any child’s desires. They have a dizzying array of Thomas the Tank Engine paraphernalia, stuffed animals and puzzles.