Where to Celebrate Neighborhood Toy Store Day

There’s a holiday for everything (including National Bologna Day … did you celebrate that on October 24?). Silliness aside, there’s one coming up you’ll really enjoy. Neighborhood Toy Store Day — held Saturday, November 14 — is organized by ASTRA (the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association) and is an occasion for your favorite local mom-and-pop toy shops to do something special. Read on for the happenings, from sales to character appearances to crafts.

photo: Geppetto’s Toy Box

Geppetto’s Toy Box

The Oak Park toy shop is well worth the trip. It’s feting Neighborhood Toy Store Day with product demonstrations, a photo booth, treats, raffles, games, face painting, glitter tattoos and an arts and crafts table to make popsicle stick frames.

9 a.m.-6 p.m.

730 Lake St.

Oak Park

708-445-9906

Online: geppettostoybox.com

photo: Play Logan Square

Play Logan Square

In addition to seeing all the great toys Play has lined up for holiday shopping, the store will have special giveaways and a raffle. Feel-good bonus: Part of the day’s proceeds will go to a charity of the customers’ choice! There will be three options and customers get to vote on which to donate to; the winning charity gets 10% of the day’s sales.

3109 W. Logan Blvd.

Logan Square

773-227-6504

Online: facebook.com/playlogansquare

Building Blocks Toy Store

It’s all fun and games at the Wicker Park and Lakeview locations of Building Blocks. The Lakeview location is hosting Hogwarts Day. Visit with Rubeus Hagrid and his secret friend, watch as Professor Sybil Trelawney hosts private Divination sessions, get Hogwarts-themed glitter tattoos and facepainting and show your Hogwarts spirit by dressing creativity to get an extra surprise treat. The smaller kiddos will get into the visits from Elmo, Dora and Peppa Pig at the Wicker Park location. The fun will include dancing, glitter tattoos, balloons and much more!

3306 N. Lincoln Ave.

Lakeview

773-525-6200

&

2130 W. Division St.

Wicker Park

773-235-1888

Online: buildingblockstoys.com

photo: Becky & Me Toys

Becky & Me Toys

Be introduced to new toys and games just in time for the holidays at Evanston’s gem of a toy store. Becky & Me will reveal and showcase ASTRA’s 2015 Best Toys For Kids and products from local toy manufacturers. There will be game demos, Tenzi dice game tournament, raffles, and arts and crafts for the kids. Also get in on the Playmobil guessing game for a chance to win Playmobil prizes. There will also be a life-size Playmobil Blackhawks player to snap pics with in a photo booth. On a charitable note: The shop will kick off its annual Toys for Tots drive; purchase items in the store and directly donate them to the Toys for Tots box and you get 20% off those items.

620 Grove St.

Evanston

847-492-1030

Online: beckyandmetoys.com

photo: Becky & Me Toys Playmobile Blackhawks player

What’s your favorite toy store in the Chicago area? Let us know in the Comments!

— Maria Chambers & Kelly Aiglon