Looking for the best toy stores in the world? This roundup is your travel-and-play hit list—places that make adults feel ten again and keep kids wide-eyed from the door. From floor-piano theatrics in New York to kawaii treasure troves in Tokyo and dollhouse dreams in Paris, these shops are worth a detour (and a little extra suitcase space). Pick a few, add them to your map, and go make some memories.

Famous toy stores

  • LEGO® Flagship — London, UK
LEGO® Flagship store in London, UK

Part gallery, part candy store for builders. Snap Big Ben in bricks, admire the LEGO Tube map, then debate one more set at the Pick-A-Brick wall. Build stations keep little hands busy while you negotiate with yourself.

  • Central Children’s Store (Detskiy Mir) — Moscow, Russia
Interior of Central Children’s Store, Moscow, with shops and a tall New Year tree

A historic palace for play with a soaring atrium and rooftop views. Expect beloved local brands, shelves of model kits and books, and that “we could spend all afternoon here” feeling. Grown-ups stroll slowly; kids simply disappear into the aisles.

  • FAO Schwarz — New York City, USA
FAO Schwarz toy store in NYC with staff in red toy-soldier uniforms amid plush aisles and a spiral staircase

Step into movie-set nostalgia: the giant floor piano, towering plush, and hands-on corners where you can tinker, style, and personalize. Staff lean into the showmanship, photos are encouraged, and the exit bag somehow crinkles louder than it should.

  • Pain d’épices — Paris, France
Find Pain d'épices in the charming Passage Jouffroy

Old-world charm tucked into Passage Jouffroy. Dollhouse kitchens with tiny copper pots, miniature chairs, wooden toys in bright paints—it feels like a cabinet of curiosities you can actually take home.

  • Kiddy Land — Tokyo, Japan
Kiddy Land in Tokyo with shelves of Rilakkuma plush toys and character-themed mugs and bento boxes.

Kawaii central in Harajuku. Hello Kitty, Snoopy, Miffy, Studio Ghibli—plus limited editions that vanish fast. It’s cheerful, packed, and dangerously good at convincing you that your carry-on can stretch.

Quick tips for a smooth toy-store pilgrimage

  • Go early or late. Fewer crowds, better photos, calmer demos.
  • Set a budget (and promise). One “wow” item and one small souvenir works wonders.
  • Ask staff. Limited editions and hidden gems are often behind the counter.
  • Consider shipping. Giant plush and massive brick sets are flight-hostile.

Play is a universal language. Whether you’re chasing a childhood memory or introducing little travelers to the thrill of shelves stacked to the ceiling, these places deliver the kind of joy that sticks. Pack light—you’ll thank yourself on the way back.