These days we can shop for anything we want or need, any time of day, at the touch of a screen. Often, it feels like too much effort to bother going to a physical store, especially with kids in tow. But when you’re looking for a unique item or searching for a special gift, nothing beats a locally owned shop with friendly, passionate, knowledgeable staff who can help you find what you're looking for.
Fortunately, families in the DC area have a wealth of wonderful independent stores and boutiques to choose from, whether shopping for toys, books, or children’s clothing. Some of them even offer family entertainment like storytimes, game nights, and more.
Here are 21 of the coolest toy stores, bookstores, gift shops, and more for kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia where you can find awesome stuff and support local businesses. For more great shops for kids, check out our lists of the best baby stores in DC and Black-owned businesses near DC.