Photo by swkaplan
This is the fourth in a series of holiday shopping guides that focus on small businesses and local stores, producers and purveyors. See also the first post on food gifts, the second on local and/or D.C.-themed Etsy items, and the third on holiday markets.
Lots of us have little rugrats in our lives. Either they’re our own little spawn or the delightful rentals of our siblings or friends. And there’s nothing like seeing their eyes light up when they open their holiday presents. But with all the crazy merchandising out there – Disney, Barbie, American Girls, and whatever new satanic-sounding Elmo comes out this year, it’s tough to pick a gift that pleases both adult and kid. Fortunately, there are a few local shops that sell great gifts from places that don’t see kids as little sponges for marketing.
When shopping for kids, one of the biggest challenges is to know which gifts are appropriate for the age and gender of your favorite mini-me. There aren’t many local stores geared towards kids, but at the few stores we suggest, the staff is knowledgeable enough to make the right recommendation.
Child’s Play
One of the cutest things I have ever seen, was a little toddler gleefully riding a Rody House Rody Pony at Child’s Play. The small shop in Chevy Chase has tons of fun educational toys, Lego and building sets, Playmobil worlds, European wooden toys, board games, dress up gear, and craft supplies. As my one friend notes that no one can beat their “nerdy, excitable” staff.
Politics & Prose
It’s likely that you’ve visited and loved the selection of books for big people upstairs. And the kids’ section is no different. The carefully curated collection of books includes all the classics you read when you were a kid like Corduroy; Liza Lou and the Yeller Belly Swamp; and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. You’ll also find books in foreign languages if you are or know one of those ambitious parents who is looking to give their kid a leg up. No Disney princess books here. No Cars. Even what I thought was a fairly reasonable request — Walter the Farting Dog — was outside of their exacting standards. (Though I know few kids who can resist a story about a farting dog. Spoiler: He farts a lot.)
Sullivan’s Toy Store
Sullivan’s has been in D.C. for over 50 years; it’s original location was near the Cleveland Park Giant. This year they relocated closer to Tenleytown where the Tenley interim library was housed. It’s known for having sullen teens and college students manning the register, but it’s well known for having a great selection of art supplies for those burgeoning Monets.
DCist Merchandise
We’ve got a freakin’ onesie for sale.
Other options include Clarendon’s Kinder Haus Toys, Capitol Hill’s Labyrinth, Dawn Price Baby (with locations in Capitol Hill and Georgetown) and Alexandria’s The Purple Goose.
Please let us know of other great, local places for kid gifts in the comments.
