Sure, it’s exciting to get the Amazon holiday catalog every year — but it’ll never compare to the fun of shopping for new games, puzzles, and plushies in a real toy store (and we’re not talking about Target, either). This holiday season, make your gift shopping a little more meaningful by shopping local at these independently owned Bucks County toy stores.

Shop Local, Get a Deal

Don’t be afraid to ask if a store will match a price you found online. Many local retailers are happy to work with you so you can still snag a deal while supporting small businesses in our community.

Busy Bee Toys 

58 E State Street, Doylestown

A longtime Doylestown favorite, Busy Bee Toys was founded in 2006 by owner Nerice Kendter, who was inspired by the independent toy shops she encountered on a trip to Belgium. The store specializes in unique, thoughtfully selected toys that encourage creativity and hands-on play. The selection includes everything from puzzles and games to dolls, plush toys, building sets and more. Kendter personally selects the merchandise, with an emphasis on finding products from smaller manufacturers that shoppers won’t typically see at big-box stores. Gift wrapping is available.

My Eco Toys 

926 Second Street Pike, Richboro

For families looking for toys that are as thoughtful as they are fun, My Eco Toys offers a curated collection of eco-friendly, toxin-free and heirloom-quality playthings. The locally-owned shop grew out of a local mom’s desire to find safer, more sustainable toys for her own children. Inside you’ll find everything from wooden toys and organic dolls, to creative playthings and gifts. Bonus: The shop also offers toy assembly, a major holiday-shopping perk for items like dollhouses and play kitchens.

jaZams

Rt. 263, Store 160, Lahaska

Make an afternoon of holiday shopping at Peddler’s Village and stop at jaZams. This independently-owned toy and children’s book shop that’s been a part of the shopping destination for nearly 20 years. The store stocks an enormous assortment of toys, games, puzzles, puppets, dolls, science kits, art supplies, LEGOs, and more, along with a full children’s bookstore. 

Especially convenient during the holidays, jaZams offers complimentary gift wrapping as well as personal shopping assistance. You can call with a child’s age and interests and get help finding the right gift. 

Andy’s Brick Shop

Oxford Valley Mall, 2300 E Lincoln Highway, Langhorne

Have a LEGO lover on your list? Andy’s Brick Shop is a locally-owned destination devoted to the world of building bricks. Located inside the Oxford Valley Mall (where Toys ‘R Us will soon return), the shop sells LEGO sets, mini-figures and other brick toys, including pre-owned and collectible pieces. It’s also more than a place to shop: kids can build in the store, making a visit feel like an activity as much as a shopping trip.

Baby Gorilla Comics and Collectibles 

424 W Lincoln Highway, Suite 203, Penndel

For older kids, tweens, teens, and collectors, Baby Gorilla Comics & Collectibles offers a decidedly different take on the toy store. The family-owned shop, which opened in 2022, carries action figures, statues and collectibles from Marvel, DC, WWE, Star Wars, anime and more, along with comics and trading cards. New shipments arrive weekly, so there’s always something new to discover. 

Bonus: The Learning Express

800 Bustleton Pike, Richboro and 2829 S Eagle Road, Newtown

The Learning Express is technically a franchise, but it offers a more unique shopping experience than big-box stores. Even better, Bucks County has two Learning Express locations: Richboro and Newtown. This toy store features a variety of unique toys for all ages, including a great selection of small items that make perfect stocking stuffers, including Dumplinz and collectible Blind Box surprises.

Shop Local for Unique Toys

There’s a time and place for big-box stores, and many of us will still shop there for toys, holiday decor, wrapping, and more this season. Just be sure to give your money to local businesses, too. Shopping small helps support local entrepreneurs, keeps our community special, and almost always leads to discovering gifts you wouldn’t have otherwise found.

Lead photo courtesy of Canva