This veritable palace of playtime locomotives lures regular customers to near-west suburban Berwyn not just from Cook County but from northern Indiana and southern Wisconsin, too…

The name pretty much says it all. If you’re in the market for a big toy, one of those wowie-zowie treats, this is a one-stop shop. The store sells large plastic toys made mostly by Step 2, such as sand and water tables and climbing structures…

Pry your kids away from the Wii and the DS and introduce them to the joys of classic board games, puzzles and brainteasers at this Bucktown shop. Stop by for game night on Tuesday evenings (6:30–9:30pm), when you can road test anything from the store's game library, or bring in your own favorite.

The force is with gamers at this eclectic space. Get in some pre-shopping playtime on Xbox or Wii for $5 per hour, then pick up an old-school metal Transformers action figure ($50) to show your kid how you played back in the day…

This museum-like space is geared toward serious doll collectors looking for treasures by Madame Alexander and other big-name designers, but there’s plenty here for little and big lovers of dolls and stuffed animals alike…

This Chicago mini chain (there are also locations in Hyde Park, Lincoln Park and Evanston) sells toys and games with an educational bent that don't skimp on fun. Outdoor play becomes extra fun with the Triple Shot Rocket Set ($16)…

If Godzilla's your kid's thing, then Bridgeport's your destination: Monster Island could practically bury Tokyo with fire-breathing beast paraphernalia. Highlights include Mechagodzilla (that's a silver robot Godzilla for the uninitiated) and Godzilla 2000 (dark green with purple fins)…

Watch where you step upon entering this house of whirring wonders: R2D2 could be doing a dance routine underfoot while a smaller robot follows a line of electrical tape around the display shelves…

A funhouse of colors and textures, this whimsical store specializes in designer vinyl figures, plush and capsule toys made by a roster of local and international artists. Whether shopping for the kid in your life or your own inner kid, you'll find something to make you smile…

Kids young and old have long loved digging through drawers jammed full of plastic squirt cameras, fake barf and the like at this quirky Lakeview store. It's also your go-to spot for bobbleheads, Slinkys and vintage finds like Vinny Barbarino lunch boxes.