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Categories: Toy Stores, Art Supplies [Edit]
Neighborhood: GreenwoodMon-Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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Best toy store in Seattle. It's as simple as that.
Locally owned, age-organized isles, lots of fun hard-to-find toys, and a very nice staff. I've been coming here for a few years now. Even before I had a kid. It's just that sort of place. And I'm just that sort of person.
For those with kids, there are a few demo toys always out and about to amuse while you shop. And plenty of green, wooden, non-electric toys for the neo-toy snobs.
I especially like their incredible collection of puppets and outdoor toys. And of course their cheap bins of wind-ups toys. Be warned though, if you enter, you will probably buy something.
People thought this was:
Expensive, but well stocked, toy store.
Take kids here and you will be here for a while. Many excellent toys not found elsewhere. Pricey though - if you are cheap or unemployed stick with Value Village or shoplifting from Walmart.
Parking is a bit of a PITA because of the street layout - what the hell is "back in only parallel parking"?
It's really much lighter than the pictures suggest - actually it was really warm with the sun out. Needs better pictures.
Don't be fooled: This plays carries *way* more than ten toys. I'd say at least...35.
No, really. The options are astounding here. I thought I'd be in and out, just a quick stop to pick up something for the 2-year-old nephew, but I spent a good half hour browsing, distracted by all the bright colors and shiny objects. And I didn't even make it outside the toddler section!
Compared with a place like, say, Fred Meyer across the street, where I might also have gone to look for a gift, there were so many more high quality options. Wood toys, plastic toys, plush toys, building sets, fake food sets, puzzles...so many things a toddler really needs. So many things his Auntie Alli would love to spend hours playing with too.
I also liked how they had 'all natural' toys, whatever that means. But, you know, if you want to protect your little ones from lead poisoning and stuff, that would be a good way to start I guess.
The staff was very friendly, made sure I had found everything I needed and thanked me for stopping by in one of those 'no--I actually mean it' kind of ways.
Now, off to go make sure the train set works properly before I wrap it up...
People thought this was:
This place is awesome. It is the best toy-store I've been into in the region, perhaps anywhere, and it is independently owned. Amazing mixture of toys across the childhood age ranges. Many educational items, and thematically grouped really nicely. Huge outer-space and science sections. High-quality selection of kids books (nothing low-quality). Many baby and toddler toys. Also a train table for kids to play at while you look around.
You know a toy store is awesome when you are an adult and you want to buy stuff for yourself!
I've been buying my son toys here since his very first Xmas, and I think I have had just as much fun playing with most of them as he has : )
People thought this was:
This is the best toy store in Seattle..hands down!! As you can tell with other reviewers this place is great. The store has character, the staff is great to chat with...and the toys are awesome.
I will come back again..alone for some power shopping. Also the prices wont break the bank..and if you need something right away..they have a table for gift wrapping on your way out.
Also if you go in the next few weeks..and if you get overwhelmed with crowds in the store...just a reminder that the Baranof is just down the street...
People thought this was:
This is the kind of toy store I really wish I had growing up. These are the kinds of toys I'd want my kids to have if I had any (instead I have a niece and a nephew on the way, so they will have these toys).
I even found a toy for myself--the Fink Scantron Boogilyhead bobble ;)
It certainly helps that the staff are not annoyingly intrusive but instead are pleasant, warm and helpful. Top Ten gets a 10!!! :D
People thought this was:
This is by far the best toy store I've seen in Seattle and I'm a bit of an expert on this shopping for all of my grandkids! There are toys for all ages, and things that kids will really play with and they are also good quality so that they aren't in the garbage in a day. The only drawback is price. They are very expensive, but in all honesty I think they're worth it. So, actually 4.5 stars is in order.
Home of the Top Ten:
Ant Farms!
Slinkies!
Bryer Horses!
Erector Sets!
Pop-Up Books!
Wooden dolls that look like they are committing suicide!
Recorders!
Puppets!
Train Sets!
Leggos!
Everything in this toy store is fantastic! Not many things flash, make noise, or violently rumble around to amuse a child and hamper their imagination. Nope, the toys here are real. Real awesome. Especially if you don't know what a noose looks like. Thank goodness most children only learn to tie their shoelaces until they are out of Cub Scouts.
People thought this was:
What can I say that hasn't already been said? This is an AWESOME toy store! My son has ASD and we've gotten some great sensory toys for him here. Many of the toys they stock are pretty hard to find too! Good prices, really friendly staff--truly a great local toy store!
Top Ten Toys is a great independent toy store. The entrance is tucked around the corner from the main thoroughfare so don't miss it. Yes, like everyone else has mentioned, this is an awesome toy store (sans the Barbies and Techie Gizmos). It is well-organized with a thoughtful layout, and friendly staff which makes shopping here a very pleasant experience. I really like the neighborhood here.
When I was a kid we had a half acre carnival in our backyard two times a year! Wonderful elaborate carnivals with all of their intoxicating trappings! Puppet shows, a petting zoo, carnival games, a freak show, hot dogs, popcorn, and a roller coaster!
No, my name is not Ricky Schroder, and no, I most certainly did not have a silver spoon in my mouth growing up... my wealth came from the singularity known as boundless imagination!
The imagination to dress my dog in clothing and call her the wolf boy, or to take a piece of plywood and some balloons to make a dart game! The dedication to pull my friends in a Radio Flyer and simulate the jerky motions and clicking sounds heard when skyward on one of those fancy store bought roller-coasters!
You won't find a gun or an advertisement aimed at your child from a fast food restaurant in Top Ten Toys. No Power Rangers, Sponge Bob, or Disney toys here. What you will find are kites, puppets, boomerangs, musical instruments, and magic tricks!
The tools of resourcefulness,inventiveness vision, evocation, and the very spirit of ingenuity, all under one roof!
I can't urge you enough to take your child to Top Ten Toys this weekend... grab some of the little inexpensive toy prizes, put up a cardboard sign in your neighborhood, and then plan a schedule with your kids for a puppet show or carnival! I urge you to let your child's imagination run free! You will be spreading a joy that will last a lifetime... and I'm not just talking about for your kids.
People thought this was:
Four stars for being a Great, Local, Diverse toy shop.
minus one because I received an "anatomically correct" doll for one of my kids here...
Definitely not ready for that talk. Especially since it wasn't the same gender. And Especially since I am only the Nanny...
But again - overall...great shop. Local is always my favorite scene. I hate hate hate hate toys r us with a fiery passion, so a small, sane shop is really where it's at.
People thought this was:
Plenty of Yelp'ers have gotten lost in this place, death by toys, what an interesting thought....
I'll add my 2 cents here, we've been frequenting this fine establishment for years now, our oldest is 15 and she cut her first teeth on one of the rattles sold here. Our youngest just discovered Playmobil....God save us....
From tots to teens, yes I said teens, one thing remains true, toys are a child's best friend. Heck I still have my stuffed dog Norman my mom got me from Nordstrom's oh so long ago....oops sorry for the flashback.
Today's toy-world is steadily being run over by electronic gizmos, most of which aren't worth a crap. Many of the product lines sold here are if you had to classify, then the best word would be, "educationalfunflingingsweetscreamsofjoy" products and they are able to keep the most attention challenged kid busy for weeks, if not a life time.
Here some toys are, "educational" don't be so scared of the "e" word, it's not going to bite! But the catch here is they also have stuff that is just plain FUN while being educational!! Even for adults!!
I agree with many other Yelp'ers, skip TRU and make the trip to TTT, you'll be glad you did! Thank God for independent businesses such as this place, they are a credit to all things done old-skool....
FYI, staff here are VERY well versed in the products they sell. Just give them an age and gender of the child and they'll help you find some real life/sanity savers....
People thought this was:
Can you stand one more rave for this great toy store? Look, it's got parking and it's easy to get to on the bus, so what's your excuse? Why haven't you been already?
You've seen the reviewers who comment on the quality of the stuff offered. there are no Barbies here, no Hannah Montana or fill-in-the-new-trend tie-in toys. Yeah yeah, there are "educational" items but the shelves are full of stuff you want your kid to play with. You want your grandkid to play with this stuff. Most important, you want to play with it.
What is so cool for me, a neighborhood resident who comes by every time she needs cheering up, is that the staff GET that adults like toy stores to and share your enthusiasm. They've helped me find cool stuff and i don't have any little ones in my life. The stuff is for me (and from time to time, for my sweetie) and they get that. My main venue is the soft toy area. These folks know their stuffed animals and carry a wide range of labels and types. They give really good bird, wonderful puppy and fabulous hedgehog. The monkey/ape/simian shelves are the best. The staff is fast to help if you need help and knows the stock.
It's a bit hard to get around TTT in a scooter or wheelchair, sometimes due to toys oh the floor (which you have to expect) but at times, i can feel a bit trapped and wish there were a better layout. With recent construction, the outside sidewalk is wider (YAY) though it's still a teeny challenge to get i, but there's fast response to a call for help. But i can't imagine finding a better store with better stock.
All my friends are having babies. It's an epidemic, really. But it also gives me a great excuse to stop into Top Ten. I love this place.
My favorite section is the plastic animal section. I'm sure that's not its official name, but it should be. You can find any kind of animal here, miniaturized in plastic. I have a collection on my desk and it's a nice diversion when I find myself in a rut.
But, little plastic things aren't good for babies. So, for those tiny folks I buy plush animals or wooden toys or educational books. For older kids, they have kites, science kits, rocks, hacky sacks, and art supplies. Prices are great; staff is too.
People thought this was:
As a parent, I ask you -- no, BEG you -- to resist the urge to shop for my kids at Toys 'R' Us (or Target or Amazon) and instead head to Top Ten and find something that's not another Talking Disney Sing-a-long Electronic Crapfest (4 AAA Batteries Not Included). If we get another toy that plays the first four bars of "When You Wish Upon A Star" out of a tinny toy speaker over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over...well, I MIGHT JUST SNAP.
Top Ten has crazy cool toys for kids of all ages, in all price ranges. Pretty good selection of books as well. Every kind of art and craft you can imagine, and a few I'd never heard of, is covered in detail. Most of the toys are from companies that you don't see at T'r'U, but they do carry a selection of some of the better name-brand stuff (Lego, but no Barbie). They have robotics and science sets that I want for my birthday, and I'm old.
People thought this was:
They have everything (but guns)
Buy your toys here
People thought this was:
i had heard a lot of good things about top10. and its by my house. but it looked small from the outside and i try to avoid city toy boutiques.
this is SO not an overpriced uppity toy store. this is like BEST TOY STORE EVER. no barbies. no nickelodeon. LOADS of cool toys at all prices. and the coolest stuffed animal section ever! and SO many books. and science experiments. and cars. this store is SO fun, even for grownups. and there arent big shiny displays everywhere that make it impossible to get your child to leave. they have little bins at the checkout line of 50cent bouncy balls or minicars or dice that are very successful in getting kids out the door
People thought this was:
Amazing toys, great staff and a train table to amuse the Little ones. What more could you want? Vast selection of science and arts and crafts. No, you will not find slick "R us " type displays. You will find things your kids will play with for more than 5 minutes, that won't drive you batty with repetitive prerecorded drivel.
Don't miss the tiny toys selection, great for birthday fun bags or anytime surprises. Small but thoughtful collection of recordings as well.
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Hands on. Yeah, I mean you can touch stuff. Try the blocks, beat the drum and even walk around with the goofy puppet on your hand and talk to strangers without fear of retribution.
They have a super selection of Playmobil too. Last time, we got a terrific costume and I always enjoy the opportunity to show off my percussion skills to the ever appreciative staff and clientele.
Then, when you're all done shopping, you get to wrap and decorate what you bought! My typical TTT visit tends to drag on a bit, but then where else can I play with multi-colored polka dot pens and singing plush bird toys?
People thought this was:
I love Top Ten Toys. This is the best place to send grandparents or friends without kids wanting recommendations, because a)there's no crap, and b)the staff are brilliant and will send them away with the right thing. Whatever that is. Usually, when I go in, I have no idea what I'll leave with, but I'm always happy.
Warning: My son has a February birthday, and like most toy stores, TTT doesn't reorder after Christmas until late January -- so if you have a soon-after-Christmas birthday, I'd pick up the presents with the Christmas shopping.
People thought this was:
This is a great local toy store. Lots of selection, for the popular to the obscure. A great selection of learning books and toys as well. I love that they have a "educators" section.
The plush animal section is wonderful and prices are very reasonable. Staff seemed friendly and very helpful.
The only reason I rated this store four stars rather then five is that there where a number of demo toys set out for kids to try but none of them where working. They where either missing the needed ball or car or they where just broken.
People thought this was:
Most of my experience with TTT has been through friends of mine who work/have worked there - I don't have kids and tend to buy books for the kids in my life when gift giving is necessary. But from I've heard from the people who work there and what I've seen when I've been in, this is a fantastic store to shop/work. They've got all sorts of organized arts and crafts/juggling classes/etc. things on the weekend, they buy from local vendors/artists, they focus more on educational/imagination-enhancing toys instead of Barbie/Pokemon/video games.
And in terms of how they treat their employees, I'm very impressed, particularly for a retail job. You get insurance, decent wages, and there's a definite family feeling among the employees, who generally work there for years on end. Really, just a feel-good kind of place.
People thought this was:
My daughter was in wonderland for like 45 minutes in here. That is a good sign. The fact I couldn't really see what the store was like because I was so busy chasing her was another. But what I did take from her hands and put back on the shelves looked sweet. I can't wait to come back and get her something.
People thought this was:
Even if it kinda sucks, which it doesn't,
I'd tell you to support it, because it's a local
toystore and those generally rock.
This one kicks :)
A very large independent toy store. You can definately find what you want here, and the prices are reasonable.
Display leaves something to be desired.
My son loves this place. And it's not that expensive. Such a variety for kids and adults. Games and toys you won't find anywhere else. I will keep supporting this place because it's not worthy of ever going out of business.
People thought this was:
This is a very nice independent toy store. The prices are reasonable and they have a good selection of fun toys to play with. At Top Ten the toys seem to promote good values--you won't see tanks or guns or military jets. They do have a great selection of Thomas trains, Playmobil and a great selection of arts and craft supplies.
I love going to browse at Top Ten and the staff are very helpful with ideas for age appropriate toys. I have younger children but at Top Ten they seem to have a wide variety of educational toys for children of all ages. Overall a nice place and a favorite of my kids.
Fun place! I love that it is local and that they try to choose toys with less wasteful packaging.
I enjoy strolling around and checking everything out while someone was giving someone else a juggling lesson. Great ambiance.
People thought this was:
I love everything about this toy store!!! I always spend way too much money there but I'm thrilled about not supporting crap stores like Toy's R Us. Top Ten never let's me down, my only complaint would be to revamp that disgusting sign!!! If they had a cute storefront I would feel extra happy about shopping there, but that's not really that important. I love it that parking is super easy and they have awesome hours and a decent staff of people.
People thought this was:
You'll pay a little extra here, depending on what you get (although your kid can spend her allowance here and come away satisfied). This isn't the place to find big-box store bargains. And that's OK. Why?
1. No plastic crap. Nuff said.
2. It's an indie store, but its selection is wide and deep.
3. TTT isn't precious. I like looking in the window of a boutique toy store as much as the next girl, but I don't want to own toys that require monitoring lest we lose the tiny $35 wooden hedgehog hand-carved in Russia that we're saving for our grandchidren.
4. The staff is young, funny, pierced, laid-back and surprisingly friendly. Hell, I'd be friendly too if I got to work in a toy store.
5. Touching the merchandise is OK. (Although will the dad who lets his 2-year-old tear down all the stuffed animals please just put them back himself so we don't trip on them? Thanks.)
6. DIY giftwrapping with plain white paper, assorted stickers, random markers and colored ribbon.
7. Someone said the displays leave something to be desired but for me that's part of TTT's charm. It feels old-Seattle in there. Substance, not style.
Top Ten Toys has made me the coolest aunt ever. Huge selection of quality toys-- educational, games, crafts, stuffed animals, Thomas the train, Playmobil, etc. They make me want to go Christmas shopping in September.
People thought this was:
Top Ten Toys is the finest toy store in Seattle. The selection of toys, books, games and craft supplies is amazing. The staff is really helpful and friendly too. Skip Toys R Us and go to Top Ten Toys.
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No Barbie Dolls!!! It gets five stars just for that. Very PC, feminism friendly and totally independent with lots of intelligent low-tech games and toys. I wish my kids were still little enough to appreciate the cool things they have here.
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Oh how I miss living in Greenwood where a stroll to Top 10 Toys was a weekend ritual for me and my wee laddie. The toys there are educational and require an active imagination, something that my boy has in spades. They have a fantastic Brio train selection and puzzles and dolls and, and, and...I love these guys! To top it off, you should see the bathrooms, totally cool complete with baby changing station.If you want plastic, lead based toys that make a lot of racket and need batteries and do the thinking for your kids, you know where to go, if you want the good stuff, go here.
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I have to agree, this is the best toy store around. It is also a great place to hang out on a rainy day. I can usually spend a good hour or so perusing the place while my kids play around the train table. There is a nice seat in the book section, so you can sit and read your child(ren) a story or two-if they have the restraint to sit down and listen in the middle of toyland. There is a great selection of arts and craft supplies and science project kits. Their board game selection is stellar--including many cooperative games by Ravensburger, Family Pastimes, and Mayfair Games. They have tons of Playmobile, and some Legos (not a huge inventory though). Musical instruments, music, costumes, and party attire. Outdoor play (balls, juggling pins, etc) and water play(mostly for young children) including bath and beach toys. I like that you can go into this store and not everything is plastic and made in China. They sell toys that last and that are sure to entertain youngsters over and over. I have to admit that we frequent the place every 1-2 weeks!! This family loves TTT!
My favorite toy store in Seattle. I will never need to resort to Toy R Us again. The range of prices is great, and they have some super neat unusual things, even these awesome wooden slithering snakes from China that I never thought I'd ever see in the U.S. I always take my son here if we're hankering for a new toy because I know it will be something that we both love.
People thought this was:
A great place and a fine example of the anti-Toys B Us. Wonderful fuzzies, selection of all sorts. Sometimes I come there just to mellow out.
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This is the best toy shop in Seattle! I definitely spend way too much money at Top Ten Toys but it's just so hard not to. The staff are very helpful and friendly and know a lot about the toys. Toys R Us just makes me hyperventilate when I walk in and I have yet to buy anything there. Somehow Top Ten Toys can make a toy shopping trip with a 3 year fun and easy.
People thought this was:
Neighborhood: Pioneer Square
Category: Toy Stores
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Category: Shopping
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