Historic 19th Street is home to a colorful mix of mom-and-pop shops, and one of those gems is the Big Blue Whale toy store. With an online shop featuring products by age group and toy category, this store stocks the latest and most in-demand toys. Big Blue Whale also sells a variety of children’s books, games, puzzles, plushies, and outdoor playthings.

Fundamentally Toys is a staple of the Rice Village and West University areas. This independent shop carries specialty and classic toys, games, clothing, and more. If you’re looking for ways to engage your kids with a mix of learning and entertainment, look no further. This shop avoids toys that promote violence, exhibit gender stereotypes, and hold little to no educational value.

Classic toys like marbles, Pick Up Stix, Lincoln Logs, and action figures never seem to go out of style, and the Houston Toy Museum showcases many of these playthings. While the museum part does a pretty good job of taking you back to the yesteryears of toys, with its whimsical displays of nostalgia, its gift shop has a great deal of that too. Once you start thinking about simpler days playing with toys as a kid, you’ll be taking home a game of Candy Land, a Mr. Potato Head, or your favorite Power Ranger in no time.

With three Houston-area locations, Misfit Toys (named after the band) has a variety of items from times past. Owners Daniel and Paulina Blackbird started the business selling horror action figures at flea markets. It quickly took off, and they added other action figures to their collection. If you’re looking for toys from the ’80s or ’90s, and anything to do with Star Wars, horror movies, Transformers, you’re in luck.

Super Happy Incredible Toys sells a variety of vintage items, hard-to-find collectibles, and even unique artwork by local artists. Super Happy’s toy stock on any given day is incredibly diverse, ranging from Masters of the Universe to G.I. Joe, and includes franchises like Transformers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, making this store perfect for the adult in your life missing those old TV reruns. Super Happy also buys, sells, and trades, so make sure to bring your old favorites to exchange next time you’re in the Heights area.

The Retro Exchange is best known for its wide array of toys and brands, including Funko, Hot Wheels, Power Rangers, Cabbage Patch dolls, and more. The owner, who has been collecting retro toys for more than 30 years, designed the store for anyone to sell and exchange collectibles with one another. The Retro Exchange is the one place you’ll discover unique toys without an eBay or Facebook Marketplace hunt. If you’re really into vintage toys, make an appointment to peek at Retro’s Warehouse Lounge with a VIP membership.

Tomfoolery, across from Meyerland Plaza, is notable for its wide selection of products. Find sensory toys like slime putty and wooden blocks, dress-up accessories for playing pretend doctor or movie star, craft kits for the arts and science lovers, and so much more. What makes Tomfoolery stand out is its lack of a “do not touch” policy. Tomfoolery encourages children to interact with the space around them, touch and feel the toys around the store, and have a good time. Tomfoolery also hosts events like story time and game days, priding itself on being more than just a store, but a place for communal engagement and experience.

This toy store is 30 minutes north of Houston in Old Town Spring, but well worth the drive. Why Not Toys is a whimsical and cozy shop, packed to the brim with distinctive toys that are sure to make anyone smile. With high-quality selections like musical instruments, crafts, and a hefty children’s book collection, this store is loved for the personal touch, hospitality, and intimate shopping experience provided by the warm setting and owner.