That Niagara is a great place to go shopping probably comes as no surprise. After all, the region caters to millions of tourists every year, and just about every type of entertainment imaginable is available. Whether you’re looking for a bottle of rare Ontario wine or a snow globe of the city skyline, you can probably find it somewhere within the Niagara Peninsula.

However, shopping for toys isn’t your everyday shopping excursion, regardless of whether you’re a child or a grown-up, and a good toy store promises to be its own worthwhile experience. Whether you’re traveling to the Niagara region with your children on a family vacation or you just want to be sure to get some amazing presents to take back home to them, the Niagara Falls area is home to a decent variety of pretty stellar toy stores. Here are some of the finest — each one sure to have something your little one or little ones will love.

Turtle Pond Toys

Located at 6380 Fallsview Boulevard, Turtle Pond Toys is both a great toy store and a fantastic hobby and game shop. Find your favorite monument or building in the Lego Architecture line, or pick up some 3D puzzles to keep you and the kids occupied on an upcoming rainy day. They also have a wide array of games, stuffed animals, and action figures. Especially if you and your children enjoy goal-oriented toys, Turtle Pond Toys shouldn’t be missed, and because it’s in such a central location, it’s easy to find and get to when you’re out and about.

Big B Comics

A comic book store of epic proportions, Big B Comics is where alternate universes and parallel universes are taken as seriously as the one in which we all currently reside. The third location in the Big B family, the Niagara Falls location opened in 2012, and they’ve been a hit since day one. Find rare gems from the Marvel universe, or pick up that graphic novel your teenage daughter has been dying to get. The store is a veritable feast for readers of comics, but they also have specialty toys and clothing — most of it comic or graphic novel related.

Learning Express Toys of Niagara Falls

Located just over the border in Niagara Falls, New York, Learning Express Toys is a classic
neighborhood toy store. The workers are knowledgeable — they call themselves “toy experts” — and many of the toys and games can be handled and played with ahead of purchase, as they pride themselves on providing an interactive experience. Games are routinely demonstrated, and they have an excellent selection of toys, games, skill builders, and more from all over the world. If you’re looking for a unique gift, this store is a great choice.

Toys R Us Express

While it’s smaller in size than your standard Toys R Us, the Express version still has plenty of toys, games, stuffed animals, and more. While you won’t find one-of-a-kind items at this toy store, if you’re in a time crunch but still want to find the perfect gift, Toys R Us Express can be trusted to have a selection that most kids will love.

Just because you’re in Niagara doesn’t mean you have to forget the toys. Head to one of these four excellent shops for games, toys, puzzles, and more, whether you need a gift or a fun way to spend an afternoon.