10 Best Kids’ Clothing and Toy Stores in Philly
Momo’s Tree House in Old City. | Photo by Courtney Apple.
We get it: Shopping for babies and kids can be tough. You want something nice but not too expensive, comfy but not sloppy, cute but not overly trendy, and so on. And while scoring fantastic deals on Carter’s at Babies”R”Us is key, it’s also great to find local hidden gems (especially when doting grandparents are in town).
Our discerning editors — some moms, others just baby-shower veterans — rounded up the 10 best local stores and sites for everything you’d ever need for your little ones. Know of something we missed? Leave it in the comments!
Best All-Around Children’s Boutique: Villavillekula
The whimsical moniker — also the name, you may recall, of Pippi Longstocking’s house — sets the tone for the magical goods you’ll find inside this new(ish) Chestnut Hill children’s boutique: paisley bloomer short sets, nautical sleepers, baubles andbangles for your girly-girl, and hand-sewn superhero capes we wish came in adult sizes.
8135 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, 215-242-0200.
Best Everyday Kids’ Clothes: First & Marley
This Philly-based online boutique is a parent’s dream: a well-edited collection of super-cute, modern clothes and accessories for babies and toddlers, at prices that reflect the sad truth that it will all be barfed on (or worse.) Sale prices dip as low as $5.
Online only.
Best Toy Store: Momo’s Tree House
Every lawn game, art kit and ride-on the kids unearth here is handpicked, totally wholesome and — most importantly — fun. Plus, parents and babes alike really dig the free play area and craft table.
205 Arch Street, Old City, 267-457-2803.
Best Baby Clothes: Hatch
As far as squee-worthy cuteness goes, nothing beats gold baby mocs or a three-week-old gentleman in a gingham bow tie attached to a onesie. Let the photo-snapping begin.
12 West Butler Pike, Ambler, 215-646-1907.
Best Nursery Decor: Baby Jives
Local designer Jahje Ives sells her mobiles on her Baby Jives website. Each one is a handmade suspended work of art; the puffs of clouds, birdies, stars and flowers are so precious that you might even be inspired to have another kid. She recently added bedding, pillows and art prints to the mix, too.
Online only.
Best Special Gifts: Twice as Nice Productions
You know that incredibly cute drawing your kid made? Local artist and former Philadelphia schoolteacher Connie Rae will bring it to life, in the form of a 3D doll that mirrors your progeny’s masterpiece right down to the last weird shape and squiggly line. Give Rae a scanned image of the drawing, a few weeks, and voilá: You’ve got a plushie for the ages.
Online only.
Best Monogramming: Threadwell
When you need something exceptional — you know, something Amazon can’t provide — head over to Threadwell, a Chestnut Hill gift emporium that will monogram anything you bring them with an endless combo of colors and fonts. (Buy your gift there and monogramming is free.)
8431 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, 215-384-7631.
Best Upscale Kid’s Boutique: Bedbugzz
When you find an occasion (birthday party/family photo/first day of school) for which you can cajole the kids into wearing something a bit nicer, make a stop at upscale boutique Bedbugzz in Kennett Square. You’ll fall hard for the ruffled tunic dresses, pint-size fedoras and sweet organic cotton onesies.
128 East State Street, #102, Kennett Square, 610-444-5566.
Best Kids’ Consignment: The Nesting House
If you subscribe to the idea that newer isn’t always better, you’ll love the well-organized racks of gently used, adorable dresses, onesies, swaddles and jeans (and shelves of shoes) at the Nesting House, which sells new and consignment kids’ stuff at locations in Mount Airy and Collingswood. Best part: the upscale non-apparel resale baby items, like Bumbos, Bloom bouncers and jogging strollers.
606 Carpenter Lane, Mount Airy, 215-438-1600, and 710 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, 856-869-3048.
Best Kids’ Shoes: Nordstrom
This is the rare store that still whips out the old heel-to-toe ruler and, given size variations among the many brands Nordies carries (Natives, Nike, Stuart Weitzman), that’s clutch.
King of Prussia and Cherry Hill malls.
