On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Mon-Wed. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thu-Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
"I am a teacher so this is my favorite store - when I'm shopping for my classroom and students! We have a class store and this is the…" read more »
Small independent local toy store that's packed to the ceiling with rare, quality, European items and brands such as Tolo, Bruder, Ravensburger Wow that you would not see usually at Toys R Us.
Friendly staff and very knowledgeable.
De-emphasizes loud toy monstrosities.
For those of you familiar with Talbots Toyland in San Mateo, this is the same kind of thinking parents' toy store albeit smaller in size and more neighborhoodly.
Parents looking for big, bad, cheap should not come here.
So, based on what this store carries - how it is organized - and how the overall presentation is, it should earn 4.5-5 stars, however, I do know that I've been going here for years to purchase gifts and know enough to know that the set up was like this prior to new ownership.
Although a few staff members are friendly, overall, there are quite a few of them who are completely oblivious, and almost downright snooty. I've been to other independent toy stores which also carry rare toys, books, etc. with much better customer service than The Wooden Horse. Unfortunately, those other toy shops are not as close...
Bottom line, the staff here needs to really start picking up their customer service to the "not so regulars" with no toddlers, or children to bring or else they'll be losing more business and receiving more shameful reviews as this. So maybe the new owner(s) should put their new ownership skills to new heights, and keep track of her staff's attitude and put it in check.
The Wooden Horse is everything a child could dream of when it comes to a toy store. They carry many items that the big box chain stores do not.
If you are tired of the same old toys that you see everywhere then this is the place for you. The prices may be a little higher but if it keeps them in business I am happy to pay it.
Once these little toy stores disappear we will be stuck with the mass produced toys that lack imagination and take the magic out of being a child.
Even though my son is 10 he still picks up one of the hand puppets I bought here 7 years ago and smiles. It is one of the few toys that will go into his "trunk" - to be opened when he is 30 something or when he becomes a father.
The customer service is horrendous and negates any redeeming qualities about this place. I love independent toy stores & used to frequent this one. Not any longer. I bought a $175 Kettler trike, went home the same day & put it together. There were screws missing and other parts that didn't fit together due to quality issues. The store offered a store credit. No returns, no assembly, no replacement (and no stock on that model). They gave a 'poor us' story -- "If we had to absorb every quality issue we would be out of business." Guess what...with that attitude this place WILL be out of business. Hopefully the location will be replaced by a toy store with great products AND great attitudes.
This is my favorite toy store in the bay area. My kids love shopping here for birthday presents and Christmas. When my kids were younger, a trip to the Wooden Horse was an experience in itself; they loved just going to there just to play at the train table. The store has a wonderful selection of high quality toys for every age group, including educational toys and games.
The staff is friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable of the appropriate toys for each age group. When I needed suggestions on presents for kids, their recommendations have always been spot on. I can't imagine buying toys anywhere else!
I love going shopping for our kid's birthday presents and Christmas presents here. It is so much nicer than going to Toys R Us. It has a great friendly and "cottage" store feel to it. They carry more high end toys that are not only higher quality but also a great selection of toys that have more educational value to them than what you get at the box stores.
They have a great train set display to keep your kids busy while you shop. Make sure you get on their mailing list so you get their Christmas Catalog. I'm amazed at how good the quality is. I can't imagine how expensive it is to produce.
They don't allow drinks though so make sure that if you plan to go to Peet's next door that you don't plan on taking in to the store.
TIP! This is a great place to go for a last minute birthday present when you forgot to go shopping for one of your kids friend's parties since they wrap it right there for you. Nice wrapping paper too!
They've been around for as long as I have lived in the Bay Area (22 years). This is the kind of store that serves as a community center, where everyone knows one another, and if not, they treat you as if they've known you for years. That is a testament to how well the staff treats you as a customer.
They have a well-rounded toy and book selection, and are geared towards the kinds of items that eventually become classic. Low concentration on noise or battery-operated items; higher concentration on items that foster learning, interaction, building, and self discovery (i.e. they don't stock up on useless electronics!).
Whenever I need a gift for a toddler, this is usually the first place I'm drawn to.
Dear Little Miss A-
How are you my little lobster? I miss you!!! I was visiting my family the other day and stopped by the coolest toy store. You would have LOVED it. They had a ton of dress up stuff (oh yes, tiaras galore!), a neat space section (your dad tried to convince me that we needed astronaut ice cream), and the most amazing games!
Remember that charm bracelet my sister got you? Well, I did a little shopping myself and got you a couple more charms to add to your collection:
Horseshoe- to remember your first horseback riding trip. I will never forget the look you had on your face when you yelled out to me "JEANNETTI - the horse is MOVING!"
Music Notes- for your never ending performance of the Nintendo DS Catz song "Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow Meow"
Kitty Cat- see explanation of "Music Notes"
Guitar- for checking out your first ever Chad Tucker concert. Yes, your daddy and I may be old...be we can still rock out.
Monkey- You gave me one your last day here, I think I owe you one now!
Sparkly Heart- because I love you to bits and bits (and every time I think about how far away you are, my little heart gets very sad).
The lady at the store was super nice and sweet- I think you would have liked her. :) I promise to put these in the mail right away...but don't tell your dad I sent them all at once, ok?
Can't wait until you come and visit us again!! I promise to take you here and I'll work on convincing your dad that you get to spend at least 5 mins in every aisle.
Hugs and kisses-
Jeannetti Spaghetti
P.S. Yes, your daddy and I are still addicted to Yelp.
The Wooden Horse has helped parents keep their children entertained and learning since 1971. They have a toy for every child and if you're having a difficult time choosing the perfect toy, their knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to help you with your selection.
They have a good selection of Thomas the Train and Brio items. If you're looking to expand your train sets, you can buy tracks separately.
At the Wooden Horse in Los Gatos, I learned my ABC's.......
T oys that stand the test of time
H elpful, cheerful staff knows their stuff
E verything a kid could want!
W onderful variety for children of all ages
O nly the best is offered here
O h to be a kid again and play!
D olls, trains, puzzles & games
E ducational, fun and entertaining
N ewborn baby toys too
H orses, they have Breyer
O bsidion, quartz & other little gems
R eally cool things that kids love
S teiff, Gund; love the soft, plush toys
E ven the prices are sweet here too
Toy stores aren't like this anymore. They're all either showcases for crappy junk plastic shaped things and Korean knock-offs of toys you find selling in over-priced craphouses like TOys-R-Us, or they're like Toys-R-Us. The local toy store has mostly gone the way of Mobile-Armored-Strike-Kommand and The Muncheechees.
The Wooden Horse is the exception.
To be fair, I know one of the folks who works there, but I also know that when I go in, even if she's not there, I'm gonna walk out with exactly the right thing for the kid I'm buying for. The staff knowns their stuff, and though there's no way they can carry the selection of the big warehouses, they cherry-pick and get the best stuff out there. It's amazing how much they know about the individual toys and how much they know about the age appropriateness of everything.
The prices are Los Gatos, but almost uniformly worth it. I've been a fan every since I first walked in.
This is my absolute favorite new find. It is huge and stocked with every kind of imaginative toy I've ever seen. The staff is incredibly helpful and understand children's needs and development. I will never shop at Target or Amazon for kids toys again. The prices are a bit higher here, but the experience is outstanding and the breadth of selection is wonderful. They gift-wrap for free too, and do a beautiful job.
We've been shopping at this store for over 20+ years now. I like the selection made by the owners of the products they carry ~ we like supporting the "mom & pop" indie type of stores and this qualifies.
I would recommend that you set aside some time to browse the entire store. You can tell the sales associate what you are looking for (age of child, gender, occasion - birthday) if you need help. You can also sign up for their free catalog with a coupon attached to use against any purchases you make. Plus, they gift wrap your purchase for free ~ the selection of gift wrap makes for a festive presentation for your favorite little one! The price ranges from very cheap to expensive depending upon what you are buying.
Special gifts for the special children in your life ~ this is my favorite store to purchase toys and fun stuff ! My own children (now grown up) and their cousins enjoyed the gifts they received from this store for all occasions and for no reasons at all other than I saw something they would enjoy....
The Wooden Horse is a wonderful store with a great selection of kids toys.
However...
My niece (8 yrs old) wanted to buy a present there today for her friend, and was REFUSED SERVICE on account that she was TOO YOUNG!!
(I was sitting outside with her younger brother while she was inside with her saved up $20.-, she came back out very disappointed...)
This is a children's store that refuses service to children!
I was going to leave without doing any business there, but then I noticed that that would have punished my niece instead of the policy makers at that store. I went in with her to buy the toy, but this was definitely the last time I bought anything there.
I don't know what that one reviewer's talking about, the Wooden Horse is by far the best toy store I've ever been to. Perhaps they don't appreciate people leaving kids unattended in their store and were more concerned with finding the child's parent or guardian than making a sale.
Anyway, I absolutely love the Wooden Horse! It's the best place to buy toys for kids of any age. Unlike gaudy stores like KB Toys and Toys R Us, the Wooden Horse has an atmosphere that's conducive to learning and having fun. The toys are well-made and have a quality feeling to them.
As I don't have any kids myself, I find it really hard to find good gifts for my friends' kids. The workers there are extremely helpful and knowledgeable and haven't steered me wrong yet. You just tell them the age of the kid, your price range, and they'll help you find the perfect gift. AND they have free totally cute gift wrapping!
The last time I went, I had to find a gift for a shy 2-year old, who doesn't really have any favorites yet. The store manager suggested several great ideas, including a mini all-in-one kitchen set with an oven, range, toaster, and a bunch of other adorable little features that light up and make little noises. It was a huge hit at the birthday party!
I love the Wooden Horse!
The Wooden Horse is a fabulous toy store. They have a great selection of dollies, PlayMobil, puppets, games, puzzles, stuffed animals, toddler toys and even a decent selection of books (considering they're not a bookstore).
I visited the shop yesterday because I wanted to find a nice doll for my neice for her first birthday and I found the perfect - and age appropriate - doll. This is where I always head first for special gifts because I know that I won't need to shop around any further. This shop has never disappointed me.
My kids love this shop too because they can play. There is a Thomas table set up with trains and another table at toddler-height with other toys to play with.
They also put out a catalogue at Christmas so be sure to get on their mailing list because the catalogue includes a good coupon. And, they wrap!!! - for free!!!
Small, independant toy store in Los Gatos, it's been around FOREVER.
They've got a great selection of the kind of toys you don't usually find in the big boys like Toys R Us. The lego selection is pretty limited, but you can get those anywhere. They have an impressive selection of just NEAT toys that you've never seen anywhere else.
PLUS....they wrap at no extra charge and have saved my life on more than one occassion when I've run in fifteen minutes before a birthday party.
Support the independants!
The Best Toy Store! And I love how it is not a chain. Kids love going there because they can play with everything (well almost everything). The owner and help are very nice and will help you select a toy for any age child. They are almost psychic --- or well trained :-)
They wrap presents for free in the cutest paper too.
Too easy to buy gifts for kids here! Where was a store like this when I was a kid???
Love this store. Great products. Great prices. Great wrapping. Staff is helpful. First place I go to get birthday gifts and toys for my daughter. And she loves to come and play with the train table while we shop. Hmmm. I think we need to take a trip to The Wooden Horse soon. It's been at least a month.
I love this toy store for browsing. They have little rooms organized by theme, so I can easily wander into the construction toy alcove and avoid the hideous pinkness of the doll alcove. The prices are what you'd expect for an independent toy store in Los Gatos. I still think it's worth the drive. I love that they have unit blocks and keepsake wood rattles. They'll order you something that they don't have in stock. I was really sad to read Lise's review that they wouldn't sell to a kid. I loved being able to conduct my own transactions when I was little.
I just went to Toys R US and realize how much of a gem this little toy store is in comparison. Jesus, Joseph and Mary....they have real toys here. Not all electronic, not all crap, not all plastic, not junk. Real toys. Now that's something in today's world.
My cousin works there and she said that they are nice, she enjoys it, and she gets payed fairly. I went there and my experience was great because they are very organized. I was satisfied since there was alot of choices and once again, are organized. So, I was able to get what I wanted and I didn't have spend alot of time there.
With three kids I should have gotten a thank you plaque in the Wooden Horse ;-)
When my kids where growing up I spent innumerable hours and money in the store purchasing unusual and interesting toys that engaged my kids for ...oh, 10 .. maybe 15 minutes ;-)
Still by far the best toy store in the Bay Area.
This is a great toy store - I just like walking around and looking at all the stuff. They have the more old-fashioned toys, and lots of good puzzles for little kids. I like it-
Top-notch, unique toy store. Go here if you want to find a special gift for a special little someone. You'll pay more, but remember, this is for a special kid. If he/she isn't so special, go to Toys R Us or Target. I always come here for great wooden puzzles for toddlers. Some have animals with fur and some have little nobs on them so chubby, clumsy fingers can handle them. Great store.
San Jose, CA
Category: Toy Stores
Everyday parks, places to hang out, and birthday…
For 5 weeks this summer, I got to play the role of…
Here are places I frequent in the city of the…
Hey, you might be sitting around wondering, "Hey,…
Loading...
