Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in nashville, TN

Child's Play -- Nashville's Best Toy Stores

by Shauna Reynolds

March 03, 2009

Whether you're shopping for a birthday party gift for a friend or a special treat for your own preschooler, Nashville has no shortage of places to find toys. Let's go shopping!

1. Phillips Toy Mart

Phillips Toy Mart is the grandaddy of Nashville toy stores. If you grew up in Nashville, chances are you have fond memories of shopping at Phillips. Notable for it's doll counter and giant model railroad display, Phillips Toy Mart is the best place in town for classic toys. If you're looking for dolls, tricycles, or little red wagons, this is where you should go.

2. Fairytales Bookstore

Fairytales in east Nashville is a relative newcomer on the Nashville toy scene but has quickly become a favorite of parents of preschool-aged children. Fairytales offers a wide selection of books as well as the sort of toys I love to have in my home -- educational and imagination-sparking playthings made of cloth, wood, and other natural materials. Fairytales offers daily story times and offers quirky themed birthday parties in their party room. 

3. Train Up a Child

Train Up a Child has the most extensive selection of Thomas the Tank Engine toys in town. If you don't have room for a big train setup in your house, Train Up a Child also offers a play space for your preschooler to choo-choo-choo the morning away.

4. Davis-Kidd Booksellers

Yes, it's a bookstore, but Davis-Kidd's children's department isn't just for readables. Among other things, they carry a wide variety of the three Ps -- puppets, plush, and Playmobil. Bonus: if you let your preschooler play for a while, surely she won't mind if you take a minute to browse some grown-up reading material. Right?

5. Popo

Along with cool clothing and baby gear, Popo sells a well curated collection of modern playthings. One of my favorite toymakers, Plan Toys, is well represented on Popo's shelves. It's hard to walk out of Popo empty-handed -- even if you don't have any kids.

Instead of looking on the internet the next time you need to purchase toys, shop here in town. You can stock the toy box while supporting a local business.

Reflections -- 5 Great Places for Kids to See Themselves

by Shauna Reynolds

January 13, 2009

As soon as she learned to stand, my child's favorite place to be was in front of the oven, admiring her reflection inside. Kids love looking at themselves. And who can blame them -- they're beautiful! Here are five places in Nashville where kids can get a glimpse of themselves. 1. Snap Kids -- This hip kids clothing store, located in Hill Center, features an in-store photo booth. You'll love the  Read more...

Say Thank You!

by Shauna Reynolds

January 02, 2009

Whether you've just gotten through a child's birthday, Christmas, or another gift-giving occasion, there's a sometimes daunting task ahead of you -- writing thank you notes. Helping your child write thank you notes doesn't have to be a chore. Here are a few hints and etiquette tips for making the process painless but proper. Thank you note writing should be age appropriate. If the child is  Read more...

Shopping Survival Tips -- Nashville Mall Play Spaces

by Shauna Reynolds

December 26, 2008

Just when you think you're never going to go shopping again, you get that too-small sweater. Those wrong-colored shoes. And not two, but THREE identical sweaters for your little one. It's the day after Christmas, and it's time to go returning and exchanging. But even when they're filled with people trying to catch the best post-Christmas bargains, Nashville malls are surprisingly kid friendly.  Read more...