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Get into the spirit of the season with holiday activities like Magic of Lights at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Photo courtesy of XL Center
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Polar Express trains are coming to towns all over New England for Christmas 2024! Essex Steam Train Railroad photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
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By land, by sea, by river—however!— families are coming to the best Museums in Connecticut! Connecticut River Museum photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins
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Connecticut Toy Stores and Bookstores with Delivery or Curbside Pickup

Scoop up the latest titles curbside at Books on the Common.
Scoop up the latest titles curbside at Books on the Common.
5/4/20 - By Ally Noel

Just because many local toy stores and bookstores are closed does not mean you have to order great gifts and reads from Amazon. Some of our favorite shops and craft places in Connecticut are packing up the fun, placing it in a bag, and making it available for curbside pickup or delivery. 

Now, you can pick up a perfect birthday gift for that car parade, grab a new chapter book, or plan a family fun night with a paint-your-own canvas party—all while supporting local businesses. Check out our favorite board games and virtual entertainers for more gift and fun ideas.

 

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Bookstores with Curbside or Delivery Services

Elm Street Books

New Canaan
Elm Street Books is a local and independent book store carrying adult and children’s books, cards, and gifts.  Currently taking orders by phone for curbside pickup Monday-Friday.  READ MORE

Diane's Bookstore

Greenwich
A Family Bookstore with Personalized Service. Conveniently located in downtown Greenwich for more than 29 years. Call for curbside pick-up.  READ MORE

House of Books

Kent
The House of Books carries children books, gifts, local trail guides, and more. Although this 40-year-old shop is currently closed to the public, orders can be placed online for delivery.     READ MORE

RJ Julia Independent Booksellers

Madison
Located in the shoreline town of Madison, RJ Julia carries a beautifully curated collection of books for the whole family. Open Tuesday-Sunday for curbside pickup and local delivery. READ MORE

Books on the Common

Ridgefield
Books on the Common has been Ridgefield's independent bookstore since 1984. They foster a love of reading from early childhood through the teen years. Order and pay over the phone for curbside pick-up.  READ MORE
Age of Reason will drop a bag of fun at your doorstep.
Age of Reason will drop a bag of fun at your doorstep.

Toy Stores with Curbside or Delivery Services

Age of Reason Toy Store

Westport
A local toy store with a curated range of books, toys, kits, and things for curious kids and adults. Local delivery is available.  READ MORE

Amato's Toy and Hobby

New Britain
Amato's Toy and Hobby carries everything from model trains to science project supplies. Currently offering no contact curbside pick-up with a credit card.  READ MORE

Pinwheels Toys & Games

Glastonbury
Pinwheels provides a unique experience where everyone can feel like a kid. This local shop offers a wide variety of toys ranging from rainy-day crafts to gear for outdoor play. It's currently offering online ordering and curbside pickup Wednesday-Saturday. READ MORE

Awesome Toys

Stamford & Westport
Awesome Toys and Gifts is a community Toy Store dedicating to enriching kids young and old with events, celebrations, and a huge selection of the latest toys and games. Currently offering curbside pickup as well as local delivery ($25 min). READ MORE

The Toy Chest

New Canaan & Ridgefield
The Toy Chest stocks a wonderful selection of quality toys, puzzles and books for babies, children, and adults. The Toy Chest is offering personal shopping and curbside service! READ MORE

Evan's Toy Shoppe

Hamden
Evan's Toy Shop full-service staff can help you with all of your toy needs.  Their collection of Playmobil, science, games, and crafts are all handpicked by the owners. Curbside service is currently available.  READ MORE
Splatterbox offers creative fun. Photo by Ally Noel
Splatterbox offers creative fun. Photo by Ally Noel

Arts and Craft Studios with Curbside or Delivery Services

Craftivate

Wallingford
Everyone is creative at Craftivate! This DIY craft studio offers a variety of crafts and project for the whole family. The studio is currently offering to-go kits for curbside pickup.  READ MORE

Make-Modern

Darien
Make-Modern is a crafting and making studio that focuses on traditional hand-sewing and other fiber crafts with a modern aesthetic. Currently providing local delivery of the Craft-At-Home kit.  READ MORE

Splatterbox

Westport
Splatterbox is a community art space that offers a wide variety of projects that allow children to explore various mediums and techniques of art exploration. Order a Virtual Art Kit for curbside pickup. Perfect for a family activity or play date.  READ MORE

MIMMO Play Cafe

Avon
Famiies can sign toddlers and preschoolers up for small-group studio programs or create their own pod. READ MORE

The Giggling Pig - Classes

Shelton & Bethel
The Giggling Pig offers a variety of art classes for beginner (ages 4-6), intermediate (ages 7-9), and advanced (ages 9-12) students. It also offers open studio for advanced students and adults to work independently. From painting to sculpting, our classes and workshops are designed to ignite imagination, nurture talent and foster a lifelong love for artistic expression. No experience necessary. READ MORE

The Little Green Tambourine

Canton
The Little Green Tambourine is a healthy-living, creative arts studio for kids ages birth through age 12. TLGT offers camps, classes, and other enrichment programs. READ MORE

Chocolate Works of Darien

Darien
Take the sweet home with the Take Home Kit that includes everything you need to create an original work of chocolate art. Available for curbside, delivery, or shipping.  READ MORE

Hands on Pottery

Fairfield & Darien
Hands on Pottery is a paint-your-own pottery studio. Voted Best Kids Party by Moffly Media, kids who have their birthday at HOP can host up to 16 guests for 1.5 hours and will enjoy painting a piece of pottery together and celebrating a special day. READ MORE

The Claypen

West Hartford
The Claypen is a quaint pottery and DIY art studio located in the heart of West Hartford. Youngsters can paint a piece of pottery or build with clay, get a little messy, have social time, and receive basic instruction in these mommy-and-me style classes. READ MORE

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