The world’s best 10 toy stores

In an era dominated by one-click digital deliveries and impersonal online algorithms, walking through the doors of a physical toy shop remains a genuinely magical experience. A truly great toy store is not a warehouse filled with cardboard boxes: it is a carefully choreographed theatre of imagination.

Let us open the doors and explore ten of the most extraordinary and legendary toy stores in the world. Discover all in:

The world’s best 10 toy stores

1. Hamleys (London, England)

Holding the proud title of the oldest toy shop in the world, Hamleys has been bringing joy to children since William Hamley first opened his doors in 1760 under the charming name of “Noah’s Ark”. Relocating to London’s famous Regent Street in 1881, the flagship store spans seven incredible floors of sheer entertainment. Each floor is dedicated to a different world of play, ranging from soft toys and board games to high-tech gadgets and model trains. What truly sets Hamleys apart is its theatrical atmosphere: enthusiastic staff members constantly perform live toy demonstrations, blow giant bubbles across the aisles, and dress up as classic characters to greet visitors.

2. FAO Schwarz (New York City, USA)

Founded in 1862 by German immigrant Frederick August Otto Schwarz, this legendary New York institution is the oldest toy store in the United States. Now located at Rockefeller Center, FAO Schwarz is world-famous for its grand, interactive experiences. Visitors are greeted at the doors by real-life toy soldiers dressed in ceremonial uniforms, before entering a wonderland filled with oversized plush animals and custom doll adoption centres. The undeniable highlight is the giant floor piano, which became a permanent piece of cinema history when Tom Hanks famously danced on its keys in the 1988 film Big.

3. Kiddy Land Harajuku (Tokyo, Japan)

Situated in the bustling heart of Harajuku, Kiddy Land has been serving up happiness and vibrant Japanese pop culture since 1946. This five-storey paradise is the ultimate global destination for character merchandise, featuring dizzying displays of toys, gadgets, and collectables. Visitors can explore entire floors or dedicated sections celebrating beloved icons such as Hello Kitty, Sanrio favourites, Studio Ghibli characters, Snoopy, Pokémon, and Rilakkuma. It is an absolute must-visit for travellers looking to secure exclusive, limited-edition Japanese toys that cannot be found anywhere else on the planet.

4. The LEGO Store Leicester Square (London, England)

While the famous Danish toy manufacturer operates wonderful shops worldwide, its Leicester Square location in London stands as the largest official LEGO store on earth. Opened in November 2016, this sprawling 9,800-square-foot flagship is a masterpiece of plastic brick engineering. The shop floor features jaw-dropping, life-size sculptures built from millions of bricks, including a towering replica of the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) with a working clock face, and a life-sized London Underground Tube train that children can actually sit inside. Complete with custom photo booths and massive Pick-A-Brick walls, it is a creative haven for builders of all ages.

5. Steiff Museum and Shop (Giengen an der Brenz, Germany)

For fans of classic teddy bears, a pilgrimage to the German town of Giengen an der Brenz is essential. This is the historic birthplace where Margarete Steiff and her nephew Richard created the world’s very first jointed plush bear in 1902. The modern Steiff Museum and its accompanying flagship shop offer an enchanting experience where visitors can watch traditional toy artisans at work. Best of all, the shop features an incredible indoor petting zoo stocked with giant, rideable stuffed animals, ranging from life-sized elephants and giraffes to the brand’s iconic mohair teddy bears.

6. LARK Toys (Kellogg, Minnesota, USA)

Tucked away in southeastern Minnesota, LARK Toys is an independent, family-owned wonderland that feels much more like a whimsical village than a standard shop. Covering an impressive 20,000 square feet, the store is renowned for crafting its own heirloom-quality wooden toys in an on-site workshop. Visitors can spend the entire day exploring an extensive antique toy museum, browsing classic children’s books, playing miniature golf, and enjoying sweet treats in the retro candy shop. The centrepiece of the store is a magnificent, hand-carved wooden carousel featuring ridable animals sculpted by local artisans.

7. Hospital de Bonecas (Lisbon, Portugal)

Founded in 1830 on Praça da Figueira in central Lisbon, the “Hospital de Bonecas” (meaning Doll Hospital) is one of the most unique and imaginative toy shops in the world. While the front retail space sells a gorgeous collection of traditional European dolls, classic Spanish toys, and bespoke doll clothing, the real magic happens in the back workshops. Here, skilled “toy surgeons” lovingly repair, restore, and dress broken dolls and vintage teddy bears brought in by collectors and children from around the globe, preserving cherished memories for future generations.

8. Serneels (Brussels, Belgium)

Located on the prestigious Avenue Louise in Brussels, Serneels has been the European standard for luxury toy shopping since Norbert Serneels opened the boutique in 1959. Rejecting trendy, mass-produced plastic items, this elegant store specialises in timeless craftsmanship and high-end materials. The shelves are beautifully stocked with retro wooden vehicles, handcrafted music boxes, delicate collector dolls, Steiff plush animals, and exceptional mechanical steam trains. It is the perfect destination for grandparents and parents seeking durable, classic toys designed to be passed down as family heirlooms.

9. Pain d’épices (Paris, France)

Tucked away inside the 19th-century Passage Jouffroy, a charming covered arcade away from the noisy traffic of downtown Paris, sits Pain d’épices. Whose name delightfully translates to “Gingerbread”, this old-world boutique exuding Parisian charm is a legendary haven for dollhouse enthusiasts and miniaturists. The shop features a breathtaking collection of teeny-tiny household items, pastries, and furniture, all painstakingly crafted to scale. Alongside the miniatures, children will discover squishy teddy bears, traditional wooden puppets, and classic music boxes that evoke the romantic nostalgia of Victorian Paris.

10. Charles Ro Supply Company (Malden, Massachusetts, USA)

We conclude our countdown with a true paradise for model railway enthusiasts. Operating for over fifty years in Malden, Massachusetts, the Charles Ro Supply Company holds the proud title of America’s largest toy train store. Spanning a massive 5,000-square-foot showroom, it is also recognised as the number one retailer of Lionel trains in the world. Whether you are a serious collector searching for a rare, limited-edition locomotive or a parent setting up a classic wooden train set around the Christmas tree, this family-run emporium offers an unmatched inventory of track, boxcars, and custom railway layouts.