North Shore Holiday Gift Guide for Kids

As anticipation for the season fills the air, discover distinctive presents for kids of all ages in these North Shore treasure troves. Shop in person, schedule curbside pick-up, or order online for shipping. (Check shops for their details.) Discover our full holiday gift guide covering everyone on your list from babies to besties here. 

WESTFIELD OLD ORCHARD
Old Orchard Rd. & Skokie Blvd., Skokie
With 100+ stores to explore in this legendary outdoor shopping spot, hit up anchors Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Bloomingdales for quality clothes and accessories for every age. Discover the most sought-after toys, books, games (insanely popular Exploding Kittens), and electronics (fun KidiBeats Drum Set) at Amazon 4-Star. Only the best Chicago sports team merch is at Clark Street Sports ranging from infant onesies, fleece hoodies, toys, and more. Mainstay Barnes & Noble Booksellers goes beyond the pages with tons of toys like a plush Grinch and exclusive Funko figures. Top it all off with a visit to Baby Gap and Gap Kids to wrap the littles in classics and the growing ones in khakis and polos.

Westfield Old Orchard, Skokie

THE GLEN TOWN CENTER
Patriot Blvd. at Navy Blvd., Glenview
Channeling a pretty European town or market, this outdoor lifestyle emporium delivers all the goods. Department store grand dame Von Maur can dress every age, plus you can pick from so many cute toys like the Mookie Scuttle Bug/Scramble Bug wheeled rides (ages 1 to 3) or the Shark Bite Pillow. Number one children’s brand Carter’s has comfy, easy-care, and adorable clothing from newborns through size 7, including sleepwear, play clothes, and accessories. Dick’s Sporting Goods and Dino's Sports Fan Shop are bursting with tees, jerseys, sleep pants, and hats for boys and girls to support every team (NFL, NHL, WNBA, you name it). Stock up for winter fun at GameStop with video games galore, consoles, and collectibles—that Star Wars: The Mandalorian Animatronic Figure is the GOAT!

NORTHBROOK COURT
2171 Northbrook Court, Northbrook
This mecca for the brands you love will outfit and entertain the kiddos from birth through high school. Win the holidays with sets like the Frozen Ice Castle or everything Star Wars™ from the LEGO® Store. Check out adorable one-piece snugglies for newborns (pandas and polos and plaid!), blazers and vests for the lads, or seasonal dresses, rompers, and jumpsuits for girls at Janie and Jack. Combo shops like Forever 21 and H&M cover your bases for all ages and are brimming with fashion and accessories for your tweens and teens.

BECKY & ME TOYS
620 Grove St., Evanston
Owned by a family of teachers, this Downtown Evanston toy store carries a high-quality selection with personalized service to help you pick the ideal gift. While many choices have an educational bent, all the crafts, bath toys, jewelry, and puzzles (like the fast-flipping and popular Slamwich) are still super fun. Cuddly stuffed animals run the gamut from a bashful reindeer to a dragon who lights up and flaps their wings. This stocking stuffer paradise includes finds like rainbow confetti pens and Kidnoculars with a breakaway neckstrap safe for toddlers.

Becky and Me Toys, Evanston

WILD CHILD
657 Vernon Ave., Glencoe
Wild Child loves to inspire kids to get unplugged and engage in pretend play and interactive activities. This family-owned specialty toy store carries unique toys, games, crafts, jewelry, and apparel for children ages 0 to 15. Truly a full range of enticing options will dazzle from the Build-A-Fort Big Indoor Tree Fort to Hand Held Arcade Games to classic music boxes and Madame Alexander dolls. Challenge the fam to a match with a life-sized B4 Jumbo Chess/Checkers set!

Wild Child, Glencoe

CHILDREN'S GIFT SHOP
310 Happ Rd., Ste. 128, Northfield
Voted Best Toy Store on the North Shore! From the classic to the trendy for babies, tweens, and every age in between, the Children’s Gift Shop is a one-stop shopping experience where the knowledgeable staff vets oodles of toys, books, games, and crafts. Those perennial favorite walkie talkies now have built-in flashlights. InnyBin chunky blocks will delight and challenge little ones to navigate the elastic bands (10 mos. to 3 yrs.). Fashionistas ages 7 to 10 will make colorful Loopdedoo necklaces, bracelets, and belts to wear and share. Might want to grab a couple of Christmas puzzles for anyone on your list, too.

ABT ELECTRONICS
1200 N. Milwaukee Ave., Glenview
Don’t forget that our local headquarters for everything electronic (and then some) can also be Santa’s best ever helper. Win over your teen with some lit headphones: choose from a stellar selection of earbuds, wireless, in-ear/over-ear, and special video game headsets. Trendy, high-end toys run from a cute Garmin Frozen 2 Kids Activity Tracker to the ultimate RoboMaster Educational Robot. Or trick out your rec room with a new ping pong or Foosball table to entertain the whole family

MAYA PAPAYA & TONY MACARONI
1901 Central St., Evanston
This neighborhood Evanston children's boutique located in the Central Street Shopping District carries cool clothes and gifts for kids from 0 to 12. You’ll find charming girl’s dresses, boys and girls coats, shoes, cozy baby blankets, and cute bags like the backpack shaped like a rocket or the silver pretty kitty purse. How about unicorn slippers and dino PJs? A Chanukah Baking Set, Ginger Bread House blanket, or Santa is Coming to Chicago book are spot-on for holiday giving.

Maya Papaya & Tony Macaroni, Evanston

BOOK BIN
1151 Church St., Northbrook
This ageless Northbrook shop is a local favorite for avid readers. Shoppers love the ambiance, the service, and the Kids Table brimming with gift ideas. The friendly and knowledgeable staff is ready to help you find the perfect story for every age. Some of their favorites from the great selection of baby books, picture books, middle grade books, and Young Adult stories include Llama Llama Red Pajama (board book), Lights, Camera, Cook! (Next Best Junior Chef #1), and even perennial classics like A Wrinkle in Time and Goodnight Moon.

SWEET BUDDHA
660 Vernon Ave., Glencoe
This colorful specialty shop serves up more than something sweet. Inspired by the serenity of the Buddha and with a passion for all things yummy, the Glencoe boutique staff will work with you to personalize gift baskets chock full o’ toys and treats. Pack one with fresh whoopie pies and cake pops, another with bath bombs, candy, and toys. Loads of fun apparel and jewelry, too. Teens can customize their own t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, bags, and more with groovy decals or crystals. While you’re at it, pick up a Cake Pop Sleigh for your table decorations.

Sweet Buddha, Glencoe

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