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Toy and Children’s Stores in Des Moines, Iowa
Shop local toy stores this holiday season. It can be easy to order from Amazon or wander the shopping malls, but there are many local, small businesses that offer some of the best children’s toys, games, books, and more. From John Deere toys to sensory activities, these stores have something for everyone. You can order online and pick it up or get delivery at most of these stores. Check out these toy and children’s stores in Des Moines for all your shopping needs.
Shopping for holiday gifts? Check out these other guides to buying gifts this season:
Ben’s Five and Dime
Address: 1221 2nd St, Perry, IA 50220
Located in Perry, Ben’s Five and Dime is a perfect small-town store with a large variety of items ready for you. They recently remodeled to expand their store. Get your Iowa gear here along with all clothing, toys, fabrics, seasonal decor, and more.
Des Moines Mercantile
Address: 3707 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
Des Moines Mercantile is located in the Highland Park neighborhood and is truly a gem that many do not know about! You can find wooden toys, books, handmade dolls, and so much more. You can purchase for the entire family at the Des Moines Mercantile. A great place to shop to support local makers within our community.
Duck Worth Wearing
Address: 2410 SW White Birch Dr. Suite 102, Ankeny, IA 50023
Duck Worth Wearing is a consignment store but it also has brand-new toys as well. They have Melissa and Doug toys, eeBoo toys, and Picasso tiles. We have had Picasso tiles for years and they still get used almost every day.
Heart of Iowa
Address: 211 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Located in Historic Valley Junction, Heart of Iowa has so many cute Iowa gifts and more. They have a selection of Iowa t-shirts for children and adorable Iowa-related books too. I love their John Deere toy section and I have a little boy who will be thrilled with a few of those this holiday season. They can also put together Iowa gift baskets for those hard to buy for people on your list.
Janes – Family Shop
Address: 350 E Locust St #102, Des Moines, IA 50309
Janes – Family Shop offers a collection of modern goods for you and your littles. You can find wooden toys, puzzles, stuffed animals, rattles, and more. They offer the cutest clothes for babies including seasonal shirts, onesies, and more.
Learning Post and Toys
Address: 2761 100th St, Urbandale, IA 50322
Since 1977, Learning Post and Toys has been a staple in the Des Moines area for educational products. From teachers looking for classroom decor and educational materials to parents looking for the latest toy trends, Learning Post and Toys has it all. I love how the store is grouped into categories which makes it easy for you to find the toys that suit your child best. Their knowledgeable staff will also help point you in the right direction. They recently remodeled their store and have a giant dinosaur for your children to admire. Follow them on Facebook for all their newest toys, sales, and store hours.
The Little Book
Address: 520 Euclid Ave Suite 102, Des Moines, IA 50313
The Little Book is the latest local bookstore to hit Des Moines filled with the cutest books and gifts. They also offer book boxes which are perfect for a birthday or holiday gift!
MoMere
Address: 138 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
MoMere has you covered from home decor to kitchen accessories and of course children’s clothes and toys. It is a mother-and-daughter-owned business which just makes me love it even more. In December, they extend their hours to include Sundays to help you finish up your holiday shopping.
Paisley Pineapple Children’s Boutique
Address: 315 SW Maple St Suite F, Ankeny, IA 50023
Located in Ankeny, Paisley Pineapple Children’s Boutique, has clothing, farm hooper toys, and more. For the holiday season, they carry music boxes, snow globes, and lots of stocking stuffers.
The Pumpkin Patch
Address: 302 Main St, Ames, IA 50010
Take a trip to Ames and visit The Pumpkin Patch. They have books, puzzles, stuffed animals, toys for all ages, and home decor too. They carry Magnetic Me clothing which makes changing babies way easier! They offer free gift wrapping for all those goodies you buy. Besides all of their unique merchandise, they also host birthday parties and etiquette classes.
Sisters
Address: 202 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Another Historic Valley Junction boutique, Sisters, has gifts for everyone on your list. They have adorable baby clothing and muslin blankets as well as books and puzzles for your older children too. I also spied the warmest, coziest robe I have ever seen made from sheep wool.
Storyhouse Bookpub
Address: 505 East. Grand Avenue, Suite #102, Des Moines, Iowa
Books! Storyhouse Bookpub is located in the East Village and offers hundreds of books for all readers including kids. They have an adorable kids section to select the perfect book for the child in your life. Their staff is friendly people who would love to help find the perfect book. They also offer various small gifts for kids and adults too.
Suite Dreams for Kids
Address: 803 73rd St., Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324
If you are looking for baby blankets, toys, stuffed animals, or other accessories, Suite Dreams for Kids is the place to shop. They offer high-quality products including furniture. If you have an expecting family in your life a gift card to Suite Dreams may be a great gift too.
Wrapped
Address: 2732 SE Delaware Ave #150, Ankeny, IA 50021
Wrapped offers curated boxes and gifts to send to loved ones, but they also offer gifts for littles! You can build a box or curate your own box. Items they offer for littles are scrunchies, t-shirts, books, stuffed animals, craft sets, wooden toys, and so much more. Curate an entire box for the child in your life of items they would love to play with. BONUS! They use eco-friendly packaging and donate back a portion of each purchase to their non-profit partners.
A You’re Adorable
Address: 115 Nile Kinnick Dr. S, Adel, IA 50003
A You’re Adorable is a children’s clothing boutique that also has gift items and toys for holiday shopping. They carry sizes from newborn to 10/12 and their inventory changes often so check back often to this privately owned company.
Jackie Fioritto
Hi, I’m Jackie. I am a teacher who recently became a stay-at-home mother of two. My husband and I moved to Des Moines from Green Bay, Wisconsin a few years ago. Originally, I am from Chicago, Illinois. My family has loved exploring Des Moines and all that it has to offer!