Kinderhaus Toys

There’s something about this place that radiates coziness. It’s clearly family owned and they have all the must haves for kids and family. The staff is friendly and go out of their way to meet your demands.

I found this store just walking by and had to go in. It has so much stuff for all ages and very good quality in a variety of brands. I walked around inside for almost an hour. I was pleasantly surprised to be offered free gift wrapping (and choice of wrapping paper even). And with my receipt, I got a free gourmet cupcake down the street. While the prices might be a bit more than what you might find at a big box store, I loved being able to support this little business. If you haven’t been here, check it out!

I love this store! I know that I can get the toys they sell cheaper on Amazon, but the experience of walking into this wonderful store is worth the extra money. Great selection of toys, well arranged. It’s not just a bunch of junk. And, if you bring the receipt to the Bakeshop down the road, you get a free cupcake:)

Love, love, love this store! The highest qualify of everything and very helpful and friendly staff. Makes me feel like a kid again.

I’ve been super-​busy with work and other for the last two months solid, but wanted to get back in the Unilocal!of things and knock-​out this wee review of Kinderhaus Toys.
I’ve stopped by about three times now just for a dander while I’ve fried away a Saturday morning through Clarendon. The fact that they have a lot of nostalgic-​type toys, and they don’t have the oppressively plastic atmosphere of a Toys R Us, were reasons enough for me to kill a bit of time recently.
As other reviews have pointed out, it is very open plan, with toys stuffed on tables, shelves, on the floor, from hangers, with old favorites and new trendy ones. There are even baby and kid clothes available, as well as nursery items.
The prices can be rather high, and you’d be forgiven for taking a picture or two of an item (s) and doing some research online for a better deal, but then the location is a very trendy one and the owners must have to pay some trendy overhead and rates in order to stay operational. But on browsing you may come across an item or two that you may not see in usual places like Toys R Us or Target — and so you may justify to yourself.
In the few times I have been in here, I only asked for help once, and this was during my first visit. At the time, the shop had roughly about 10 punters, including me. There were two young people and an older blonde lady standing inside their desk/​til at that time, with the customers spread out throughout the sections and narrow aisles.
When I walked in, I was barely acknowledged despite approaching the desk and proactively saying hello. I at first thought it was maybe because I was a bloke without kids or a pram, and so maybe I didn’t fit as the type of expected customer (I was also not usual clean-​cut self but wearing sunglasses and a Beavis and Butthead t-​shirt). I lobbed them a softball-​question and asked if they had any Lego train sets, and the only person of the three to show any willingness to help was the young chap who was dispatched by the older blonde lady to show me to the Lego section. He showed me several Lego sets — none of which were priced, and he went off a few times to confirm the price of the few I pointed out to him. It wasn’t a huge selection, but still a little more than I expected in a non-​chain type of toy store.
At this point, I decided to walk around and just explore the shelves, but I kinda felt a little out of place and awkward — partly because the young girl and the older blonde lady stayed behind the desk on their own chatting, and the feeling that wherever I turned around through aisles they were looking in my direction, or as if it were odd that a single bloke was looking at kids’ clothes, as if it may not be possible that I have kids of my own or nephews/​nieces because I was not accompanied by children at that time.
So after a while, as I walked back towards the entrance and said «thank you», the only response I got was from the young chap who said «thanks — and I love your t-​shirt!»
The shop was nice, and bright and tidy and had lots of stuff that would help kill some time if at least for getting some nostalgic value from some of the toys available. And it was great that it didn’t seem like the type of place where you have misbehaving brats running around wrecking shelves or displays and having temper-​tantrums or squealing because their parents refused to buy them X or Y.
This isn’t the type of place that you would obviously and purposely go hang around in normally, but as a one-​off visit you may enjoy the near library-​like quiet and possibly find a present for a child and possibly still have a few quid left over for a coffee up the road.

stumbled into this store by accident while in Clarendon and was delighted to see so many old fave toys like Paddington Bear and Lincoln logs but also lots of new things like a (cute!) witch doll and a set of little fantasy figures with unicorns. These toys are pricey but every kid needs at least one imaginative and fun toy!

They are pricey but a beautiful selection of quality toys and books. If you need a gift… this is the place to go.

Totally rad little store.
The store screams über yuppie. In reality it’s for the über yuppies’s offspring. I’m not sure of the politically correct term for those little rug rats. Rugrats any other kids from the 90s remember that show?
The store gets props for having educational toys. I noticed they did have some super old-​school toys like Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys, Legos, wooden hobby horses, fire engines and even other things before my generation. I believe I saw a Radio Flyer wagon to. Hey mom’s ya feel making up for my seventh birthday?
A few halloween’s ago I also noticed they had some rads children’s costumes. They were super cute and extremely well-​made. The price wasn’t bad either. They were so darn cute I had to pick one up for a special kiddo in my life.
Along with educational toys this place has some stationary. Some cool school supplies if your brat is fancy like that. Another score I didn’t notice a bunch of terribly terribly noisy toys. You know noisy ones that you sent your ex-wife’s house. Yeah those toys. You better check the Toys «R» Us for those.
I believe this place is some sort of rewards program but I don’t shop there enough. You may want to ask the clerks or check with other Unilocalers.
So if you’re around the area and you realize whoops I missed my nieces or nephews birthday stop here to pick a last-​minute gift.

Overall: Great local toy store — so many fun, unique items!
Service/​Atmosphere: This place is packed to the rafters, borderline overwhelming! Service is fine, though I haven’t had to ask for help.
Selection: You won’t find Barbies, but you will find well-​made toys, educational items and good board games. There’s also a decent amount of baby clothes — even some more expensive «design» type items I usually can only find online. Stand-​alone toy stores are hard to find and I hope this one lasts!
Cost: It’s Clarendon, so I think the prices are a bit higher than they should be.

My parents used to take me to this store when I was a kid, back when it was located in Lee Heights.

Overall, I felt that the staff member there the day my daughter and I visited was polite — she allowed me and my daughter to play/​explore while helping adults who came in by themselves (people more «on a mission»). We were allowed to play at the train tables for as long as we wanted, and my daughter really enjoyed running around looking at everything like the curious toddler she is. It was a nice experience and we found some cute toys. We’ll likely be back!

Love this place!
The staff is friendly and they carry a wide variety of toys and kids items; one of my favorite things is that not all of the items are your typical Made in China items. Check it the Haba items from Germany,.Sophie from Paris, etc. I’ve been in a couple of times and, knowing nothing about baby/​kids toys, always asked for recommendations. The staff recommendations are usually spot on, my nephew LOVED his stomp rocket. Plus they offer free gift wrap too!
P. S. Prices won’t be the best around but I think the service and free gift wrapping more than make up the difference. I’ll be back for more gifts!

I stopped in there the other night because I had seen a stuffed animal I was looking for for a younger person in my life. The price was a little high, $ 17, for a simple farm animal stuffed animal, but they go for about $ 10 – 15 at Target, Amazon, and the likes, so a few bucks more for a local business doesn’t bother me too much. The staff said «Hi» on the way in and were happy to wrap my present for me.
I would probably go back there if I was looking for a quick kid gift, but would probably check out Amazon before hand to avoid the Arlington-​markup

Like another reviewer said, I REALLY WANT to like this store. It has two train tables which is great for my almost 3 year old, and it is walking distance from home. That said the service is awful and after 3 tries I am DONE with Kinderhaus!
During our last visit one sales lady fell all over herself to help a man who ultimately purchased nothing while his kids hid toys (which I still don’t understand), took other toys out of bins and left them all over the floor and one of them even left a gross lollipop stick on one of the train tables.
While I on the other hand purchased a book (my family’s second purchase in that store in 5 days), and my child played nicely with the trains and not only put the toys he played with back but even put some other toys he found laying around in the correct places. We were treated as though we didn’t exist, (actually it was worse, I felt like I was being watched). The final straw was when we checked out I asked about their savings card and the woman said well it is just for a $ 20 purchase (I just spent 17 on a book, wouldn’t it make sense to encourage me to spend 3 more dollars to get a stamp and encourage me to be a repeat customer). Clearly they didn’t want my business.
Their loss, we’ve been to the Thomas table down the road a Barnes and Noble 2 – 3 times a week all summer, and I’ve been more than happy to give them my money each and every time.
It is sad to see such an unfriendly place as I would rather give my $ 15-​$ 20 each visit to a small local shop of a big chain store.
BTW there is nothing unique about the store. It sells just about identical items to what they sell in the toy store in the Ballston Mall (I think it is called 4 Kids) and the service is better. So if you still want localish and small business make your purchases there instead.

And then, She granted 5, yes FIVE, stars. KT, your rock. See, here is what transpired…
Me: in sweaty workout clothes coming from Gold’s Ballston (shameless plug for that review). Children: hyper, 9 & 7 respectively. Mission: to buy 2 little boy birthday presents and one special Christening present for a goddaughter.
Result: I saved FORTY dollars using my «frequent shopper card» thingeys… you buy X number of items, get your card punched, and save the next time you shop. Um, unless you have a German passport, $ 40 is A LOT of money to save these days. I bought a beautiful Madame Alexander doll for my goddaughter, a clever german puzzle game for one nephew and an awesome stuffed Dinosaur for my other nephew, as well as a few goodies for my own urchins. Yes. The bill totaled over $ 200. 3 special gifts. AND treats for my kids. AND THEN $ 40 off. AND free gift wrap.
Hey, man… put America to work. Shop locally. And enjoy doing so.

My family and I live in the neighborhood and we always WANT to like Kinderhaus. It’s a small business, it’s a local store, it has cute displays in the window. Each time we venture into the store to try to buy something we are completely turned off by the terrible service, cranky saleswomen, and overall unhelpful attitude. From my experience I’ve been lucky if the person behind the counter glances up when the door opens.
One would expect employees working at a kids toy store to, well hmm, I don’t know — like kids!!! Is that a shocking and crazy expectation? Well, you’d think it was if you observed any of the folks working in this store. If I were the owner of the store, I would be horrified to see how my employees were treating, or should I say mistreating my customers.
Such a missed opportunity Kinderhaus.

Glad to see independent stores like this still surviving. This reminded me of a high end store that I used to have back home. Lots of european import toys. As expected with any independent specialty shop prices aren’t cheap, but still a great option when shopping for a gift or something different.

While it carries a wide variety of wooden toys, puzzles, games, books, costumes, and domestic toys (e.g. ovens, shovels), Kinderhaus lacks that exciting, inspired, magical quality that I like in a toy store. The shop setting, despite its circus tent stripes and bright lighting, is suited to adults who wish to purchase toys, as opposed to a place that encourages kids to explore, dream, and be enchanted. Also, I wish that the selections for toddlers were more diverse, and that a larger number of balls and sporty toys were offered. Still, the sets of sidewalk chalk, crayons, and finger paints were excellent, and made me wish I was little again. And, for those who are interested in such things, Kinderhaus offers a stamp card program, which fetches you a $ 20 coupon after you earn ten $ 20 stamps.

A toy store with Clarendon markup. A lot of unique stuff but anything brand name/​mainstream (Legos, Thomas, etc.) you can pick up at Target for ²⁄₃ the price.
Agree with Sean C. about the staff. It was like the toy industry’s versions of the Olly Girls working the afternoon shift.
Would be two stars but this is the only place in the immediate area where you can pick up a frisbee or football if immediately needed.

I give it three stars for selling the toy brands not found at the box stores and also for being large for an independent toy store. They sell clothes as well, which is a plus and a minus. The space could have been used for more toys, then they could have a really extensive selection of toys instead of adding a small selection of clothes.
I took off points because the person working was not the most friendly. In fact she was a bit snippy when, on one visit, my wife asked what time they close. I also took off points because I was looking for Hot Wheels, Matchbox or Corgi toy cars and they had a fairly skimpy selection. OK, you can get those toys at Target or Toys R Us, but still it’s a large store and those are pretty common toys.