Shopping with Your Kids - Chicago with Kids - page 252

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include a meal in the cafe, this can practically be a full-day activity (for a r eview of the
American G irl P lace Cafe, see p . 123). 835 N. M ichigan Ave. & 877/AG-PLACE (247-5223).
www.americangirlplace.com. Subway/El: Red Line to Chicago/State.
TOYS
Chicago Harbor On breezy days when the wind is just right off of Lake M ichigan,
stop in to Kite H arbor to pick up a color ful kite. (There are the standard kid-size kites,
all the way up to spectacular jumbo kites for the ambitious—or experienced.) The shop
stocks all sorts of flying objects, fr om boomerangs to whirligigs, and ev en juggling sets.
5445 N. Harlem Ave. (Higgins Rd.). & 773/467-1428. Subway/El: Blue Line to Harlem.
Dorby Magoo & Co. Finds What's not to love about a toy store that's laid out like your
own home? Kids feel an immediate welcome as they look for toys in the bedroom or books
in the library. There's even a living room, den, kitchen, and bathroom. Birthday parties can
be scheduled for the dining room and backyard area (complete with AstroTurf “grass” and
a ceiling painted to look like the sky). Each section is labeled with an age range, fr om
infants on up, to make gift shopping easy , and there's a stellar collection of ar ts-and-crafts
projects. You'll also find bins of cheap classics like superballs and plastic rings. G ag gifts,
like fake prechewed gum and whoopee cushions, are also in abundance. 2744 N. Lincoln Ave.
(at W. Diversey Pkwy.). & 773/935-2663. Subway/El: Brown Line to Diversey.
Galt Toys This shop sells its own brand of toys, which are known for their craftsman-
ship, quality, and design. The staff is especially helpful when y ou're desperately seeking,
say, a few toys to keep a toddler entertained on your flight home. There's a full selection
of Baby Einstein DVDs, books, and other products, as well as Chicco brand plastic toys
and much, much mor e. In the mall at 900 N. Michigan Ave. & 312/440-9550. Subway/El: Red
Line to Chicago/State.
LEGO Store You'll marvel at replicas of Chicago landmarks, made entirely of LEGOs.
Special-edition sets for y oung builders who want to cr eate huge animals and people ar e
often featured, too. A LEGO Construction Zone just outside of the store lets kids design
and build in their own play area with a life-size race car built from LEGO bricks; LEGO
walls; and tables. The play zone is open daily from 11am to 5:30pm. The Shops at North
Bridge, 520 N. M ichigan A ve. & 312/494-0760. w ww.lego.com. Sub way: Red Line t o Grand/
State.
Timeless Toys From the hardwood floor to its beautifully restored tin ceiling, Time-
less Toys Ltd. is packed with items of all kinds. M usical instruments, art supplies, and
costumes get kids inter ested in the ar ts. The stor e carries bab y to ys fr om brands like
Lamaze and Sassy, all the way up to more involved toys for older kids, such as Brio train
sets and Plan Toys wooden dollhouses. 4749 N. Lincoln Ave. (at Lawrence). & 773/334-4445.
www.timelesstoyschicago.com. Subway: Brown Line to Western.
Toys E t C etera Tired of mass-market toys? Make a trek to visit this special toy store.
Although it's known for its excellent website, you'll have more fun at the r eal store. The
space is small but packed with educational puzzles and games, and to ys, to ys, to ys.
(Check out the wide assor tment of dolls.) D ress-up clothes and an ar ts-and-crafts area
round out the stor e. There are also three other Chicago-area locations, at 1502 E. 55th
St. in Hyde Park ( & 773/324-6039 ); 2037 N. Clybourn Ave. ( & 773/348-1772 ); and
711 Main St. in nor th suburban Evanston ( & 847/475-7172 ). 5311 N. Clark St. (at Ber-
wyn Ave.). & 773/769-5311. www.toysetcetera.com. Subway/El: Red Line to Berwyn.

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