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Toy and Book Stores Offering Curbside Pickup and Delivery for NYC Kids

Phone in your order, mask up, and head to Park Slope's Little Things for curbside pickup of your goodies. Photo by Ros Muggeridge
Phone in your order, mask up, and head to Park Slope's Little Things for curbside pickup of your goodies. Photo by Ros Muggeridge
5/4/20 - By Rosalind Muggeridge

For parents struggling to work and care for children at home during the pandemic, a couple of new toys or books may just encourage a little independent play and provide some precious quiet time. We've rounded up 17 toy stores and bookstores in NYC that are offering contactless curbside pickup and delivery of their goods. So, whether you're trying to celebrate a birthday during the quarantine, marking another of these 30 daily celebrations, sending a package to a loved one, or just sprucing up your collection at home, these shops are delivering some serious fun. The curbside pickup and free local delivery keep wait times to a minimum, too.

For more fun ideas to pass the time in quarantine, be sure to visit our Stay-at-Home guide, where you'll find tons of boredom busters, plus 64 mind-blowing science experiments, and 100 craft ideas using materials you likely have at home.

Boomerang Toys is offering delivery of its carefully curated selection of new and classic toys in Lower Manhattan. Photo courtesy of Boomerang Toys
Boomerang Toys is offering delivery of its carefully curated selection of new and classic toys in Lower Manhattan. Photo courtesy of Boomerang Toys

Manhattan Toy Stores and Bookstores Offering Contactless Curbside Pickup or Delivery

Book Culture

Upper West Side
This popular mini-chain offers a large selection of books for all ages. Two locations are currently closed, but the 112th Street location is offering delivery or contactless curbside pickup during limited hours. READ MORE

Kidding Around

Flatiron
This popular shop carries lots of wooden toys and hard-to-find European brands. Though the store is temporarily closed, online orders are still being shipped out, and curbside pickup is available daily from 10am-4pm.  READ MORE

Boomerang Toys

Tribeca
This local shop has everything you need to hunker down during the pandemic, including puzzles, blocks, building sets, and much more. The store is currently closed but is offering local delivery in Manhattan below Houston Street.  READ MORE

Mary Arnold Toys

Upper East Side
New York's oldest toy store, this shop also boasts a well-stocked book section. Though local delivery or curbside pickup is not an option, the store is shipping its specialty toy bundles for free. These combine toys and books targeted to age groups from baby to adult. READ MORE

McNally Jackson Bookstore

Multiple Locations
This independent bookstore, with four NYC locations, is offering free economy shipping on gift cards and orders over $50. The store stocks plenty of titles for all ages and prides itself on its recommendations. Though shuttered, for now, you can still email the staff for picks.  READ MORE
Greenlight Bookstore is shipping books for children and adults from its pair of locations. Photo courtesy of Greenlight Bookstore
Greenlight Bookstore is shipping books for children and adults from its pair of locations. Photo courtesy of Greenlight Bookstore

Brooklyn Toy Stores and Bookstores Offering Contactless Curbside Pickup or Delivery

Little Things Toy Store

Park Slope
This beloved toy shop, with two locations, has served Park Slope since 1993. These stores offer selections ranging from baby books to board games and everything in between. Curbside pickup and delivery are available at both shops.  READ MORE

Lulu's Cuts and Toys

Park Slope
This children's toy store is currently offering local delivery and curbside pickup. It carries a wide range of toys for toddlers through tweens, including classics and new products. READ MORE

Norman and Jules

Park Slope
Offering handmade and eco-friendly toys, this toy shop features many local Brooklyn designers. In sunnier times, regular singalongs are held in the outdoor space. For now, the store is offering delivery and curbside pickup between 10am and 2pm. READ MORE

Community Bookstore

Park Slope and Windsor Terrace
This local institution carries a curated book collection with options for adults and kids alike, including classics and new releases. A sister location opened in 2013 in Windsor Terrace. Currently, only flat-rate shipping of online orders is offered. READ MORE

Greenlight Bookstore

Fort Greene and Flatbush
The two locations of this independent bookstore offer a large selection of books for babies through adults. The stores are closed, but you can order books through the website for delivery. Visit the website for details on online literary events, too. READ MORE

WORD Bookstore

Greenpoint
Find books for all ages, plus puzzles, greeting cards, and quirky socks at this shop, with locations in Jersey City, New Jersey, and Brooklyn, New York. Pickup and local delivery are available. Plus, shoppers can virtually browse the shelves live on Instagram. READ MORE

Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island Toy Stores and Bookstores Offering Curbside Pickup or Delivery

Astoria Bookshop

Astoria, Queens
Though this bookseller has closed its doors temporarily, it is still offering delivery of pre-selected "Book Bundles." Select your price point, list your favorite genres and authors, and the shop's booksellers select and mail an assortment of books to you. READ MORE

Kew and Willow Books

Kew Gardens, Queens
This woman-owned, crowd-funded bookstore features a carefully curated selection that includes lots of children's fiction and nonfiction choices. Contactless pickup is offered on select days.  READ MORE

Kaleidoscope Gallery

City Island, Bronx
Kaleidoscope Gallery offers an eclectic inventory for all ages with a toy selection, including Hello Kitty items, craft kits, stuffed animals, and more. The store is currently offering delivery on City Island of items posted on its Facebook page weekly. READ MORE

Steph's Creativity Corner

Staten Island
Steph's Creativity Corner's usually offers craft classes and birthday parties are on hold for now, but you can still access its toy shop, which offers games and craft kits for all ages. Delivery and curbside pickup are available. READ MORE

Playday

Long Island City, Queens
Normally an artspace catering to creative kids, Playday is delivering affordable fun in LIC: It'll deliver one of eight curated project kits to your doorstep for FREE. Enjoy it for up to 48 hours before it's picked up, sanitized, and sent to another family. Donations are accepted. READ MORE

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About the Author

Rosalind Muggeridge
When not busy trekking across NYC with her two little explorers in tow, Rosalind Muggeridge is covering events for Mommy Poppins for Brooklyn and Queens. Her career includes 10 years in the nonprofit world followed by four years as the events editor at Brooklyn Parent Magazine. She can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.
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