The thought of Toys ‘R Us near the holidays makes me a little nauseous–bright lights, big city. Here are some ideas for fun places to pick up unique gifts. Also, put together your own fun for little dough. An apron, a whisk and stainless steel bowl from somewhere like Dollar Tree, and some wooden or cut-out play food would be nice. How about some sheets and wooden clips? Animal figures and wooden cars/trucks?
~Leslie
Sassy Pea Market (Leander)
www.sassypeamarket.com
Store Hours Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-5:30 PM
Fun ideas for kids–stick horses/unicorns, children’s purses, handmade wooden tree blocks, children’s aprons, hair bows, lip balm.
Kaleidoscope Toys (Round Rock alongside I35)
http://www.kstoy.com/
Store Hours Monday – Saturday: 10am – 7pmSunday: 12pm – 6pm
Terra Toys (North Austin)
http://www.terratoys.com/
Store Hours: 9-8, Sunday 12-6
Toy Joy (Central Austin/UT Area)
http://www.toyjoy.com/
Open 7 days a week, Sunday – Thursday 10 am – 11 pm and Friday and Saturday 10 am- 12 midnight. Extended hours Christmas Eve.
Anna’s Toy Depot (South Austin)
http://www.annastoydepot.com/
Store Hours : Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5
Kid to Kid (Round Rock, Cedar Park–near Lakeline Mall)
http://www.kidtokid.com/index.php
Find details about the closest location. Great kids’ consignment shop with new toys, aprons, hair bows plus great used toys and books.
Tiny Bird Organics (Round Rock near 79/I35)
http://www.tinybirdsorganics.com/
Store Hours Tues-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 12-6pm (central time)
Tuesday Morning (a national franchise, I know, but a great place to find German blocks, wooden doll houses, play kitchens, train sets–lots of wooden toys). The best is off of Burnet Road in Central Austin, but the closest locations would be Round Rock or North Austin)
http://www.tuesdaymorning.com/indexCatalogOff.asp
IKEA (Round Rock–another biggie, but great open-ended toy section. I especially love the play dishes, children’s furniture, and train sets. Don’t forget the kitchen department for cooking items to stock a play kitchen for very little $.)
http://www.ikea.com/
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-9pm Sun 11am-7pm
