This store is Exhibit A for why people shop online. The store is disorganized and it is hard to find anything. But if you are lucky enough to find something, good luck checking out. There are never enough cashiers and the line moves extremely slowly because they try to get everyone to sign up for their multiple mailing lists and text blasts. But even after they take all your information, repeatedly, it's impossible to do a return or exchange without yet again going through all your credentials. It should not take 20 minutes and multiple security questions to exchange a $2.99 toy. (And yeah, some of the stuff might be "learning" but all the reviews talking about the cheap plastic crap that is super over-priced are dead right.). read more

How did I not know about his place? As my son and I walked in we both fell in love! My son was free to pick out pretty much whatever he wanted because all of the toys here are educational. We signed up for the free membership and we are already receiving email coupons. Can't wait to go back and use them!!! read more

Heart this place!! They've got everything an elementary teacher or home school parent would need. I'm neither of these things, so of course, they've got everything a kindergarten room mother's little heart could desire for small projects. Products are super high quality and priced accordingly so I definitely take advantage of the email and text coupons when I come in. read more

This is a great place for parents starting when the little one(s) gets to be around a year and half. It's a resources for teachers, but open to the public, and they have a lot of great materials for kids. There is also a store in Oakland. read more

I LOVE this store! This store offers so much to teachers and parents alike. It has large selection of workbooks across the curriculum and hand-ons educational activities. There are lots of educational toys for toddlers. It has a wide range of art supplies and crafts for kid also. Every Saturday, they offer free crafts for the kids. The staff at the store is AMAZING! They are also very friendly, helpful, and go the extra mile to help a customer. read more

Glitter! Very helpful but I went in for an item that they only had in a large package with multiple colors that weren't any of which I needed. Great for school supplies for younger children. Friendly staff and I was helped right away without having to look for anyone. read more

I want to give a shout out to Yolanda for her excellent customer service last week. I called to inquire if they had a specific item, which she said they did. I was at the store a couple hours later, and she had set it aside for me at the counter, even though I didn't ask her to. She helped show me around the store, although I didn't have much time to browse since I had two restless babies with me. I asked if there was anywhere nearby I could take them to play, and she suggested the Walnut Creek library, which turned out to have an amazing children's play area and was perfect. Some people consider the store "small," I thought it was plenty big with tons and tons of educational toy options. Will definitely be back in the future as these guys grow. read more

This is a great store! I love getting stuff for my lil nephew here (he's about 2yrs old). There are so many learn and play items. Great selection of items and if you can't find what you're looking for one of very helpful associates will find it for you. Check out their store catalog for additional stuff. Oh and very small parking lot, but you can always park across the street (where Blockbuster used to be). read more

Excellent place for sturdy, well made toys and learning items for kids. We went in looking for baby toys and got really helpful and friendly service in selecting appropriate items We bought a wooden puzzle and a set of plastic rattle/bells--both of which have held up well under the baby's "torture". Prices are a bit high, but the quality and service are well above average. read more

Pretty sweet place...they always have sales and a good coupon thing going on with their email list. I teach junior high, so a lot of the things don't really apply to me. This is a must for younger grades and homeschool would benefit, too. Helpful staff. read more

As a parent, I just love this place! They have toys out as demos for children to try out, and if you're interested in a toy that's not out, they will pull it for you. It's such a great idea! For kids and parents to be able to try it before you buy it. Every toy I've ever bought here ends up being a favorite. It's kind of pricey but the quality is great and the products are unique and so much better than any other toy store. My daughter and I are fans! read more

Excellent store for learning toys and presents! While it seems a little on the expensive side (compared to ToysRus or Target), most of all they sell is quality stuff. While hey have a great selection of toys, workbooks, and activities from Pre-K on, the options get slim as you get into later high school level. A great place for stocking up on teaching related items. read more

This place is a Teachers Heaven! all kinds of stuff to colorfully assists with teaching kids. The clerks are very friendly. My son needed some help with telling time and counting money and there was sooo much to choose from! read more

just wanted to give a shout out to this store and its great employees. my elderly aunt, visiting from chicago, lost an earring & she thought it may have slipped off in the store. we left our name & number and received the happy news that they found it while sweeping up. laura h. phoned me and put it in a safe place until i could pick it up. nice to know that honest, caring employees work in this store. i will definitely be back to purchase holiday gifts! read more

Really cool stuff for all kids of all range. I have intentions to bring my daughter for the craft day Saturday from 11am-3pm(make sure you call them to check schedule). Overall from my first trip there it was very nice. As far as price goes it is on the high end but remember this is your child or family member. It's a good investment. read more

Rude employees, over priced plastic "imported" toys disguised as learning aids. My money is better spent at My local teacher's store. I wonder how they have been in business as long as they have? Please str to stay current and sell learning aids that don't insult my intelligence. read more

TEACHER MECCA!!!! This is the place to go if you are ANY kind of K-12 or preschool teacher! Downside: VERY limited parking. Also, bring change if you are going to park on the street. read more

This store is a real gem! Some people like buying books and school supplies on line but I enjoy picking up a workbook and checking it out for myself. Staff are excellent and know their resources! Iris was so helpful and answered all my questions. Thank you! I would definitely recommend this store to other parents and teachers! Parking can be hectic, so plan ahead. Walnut Creeks folks are not the most patient drivers. read more

Zero stars. HORRENDOUS service. Expensive. Sparse selection. Go to San Leandro. Trust me, it's worth the drive. Asked one worker for help finding a lesson plan book, waited for 10 minutes till she was done helping someone else who she brought to the front of the line to ring her up. Had my 4 month old with me. Manager (lady in about her 40's with curly long blonde hair) told her to help with the register. Worker started helping someone else and instantly forgot about me. I gave her "the eye" and she said, "Oh, do you mind if I help her first?" Then she asked the manager, "Do we have any more of those lesson plan books?" Manager looks at me and says, "Everything we have is out on the shelves." Why the heck did I waste all that time waiting just to hear some lazy canned response?! The worker continued helping the new customer and didn't offer to ring me up first like she did the other lady. I waited seething with anger, when a 3rd new customer came to the counter. The manager then asked "Who was first?" I WAS!! As she was ringing me up, she kept talking to my baby and saying passive aggressive comments to her like, "Oh you're so cute. It must be hard to be like that in your carrier. You must want to face out, blah blah blah, coochie coochie coo..." Of course I regret not speaking up, which is why I'm venting through Yelp LOL. Everyone, especially people of color should go to the San Leandro location instead. Much better selection, cheaper, and better service. read more

I love this store. Even though I am not a teacher, I enjoy going there with my kids to find new toys. mostly we spend more than 1 hour there, as there are so many great toys to see..and my kids really love playing with Lakeshore toys. read more

I would have a very difficult time doing my job without you! I depend on your store and staff for inspiration, creativity, and am thankful for the genuine interest your staff always shows in finding exactly the "right thing" for my students! Keep up the excellent work. Sincerely, A Walnut Creek Tutor read more

My daughter's teacher recommended this place during our parent teacher conference. So I thought I check it out. The parking lot was full and had weeds growing in it. Not what you would expect in Walnut Creek. The stores layout seemed overwhelming. The staff not very helpful. With everything they have at their disposal, I left with a three dollar workbook. Not what I expected. Probably will not be back. read more

I have always been very happy with Lakeshore, and purchased a lot of things from here over the years. My experience with their return policy however has been terrible. My daughter received a birthday gift that she wanted to return. The woman who gave us the gift is a close family friend and had given me the original receipt so that my seven year old could return the gift if she wanted something different. I told my daughter that the receipt was the same as cash and to hold onto it carefully. She watched over it for a week, waiting for Saturday when we could go shopping and return her gift, and buy something else. When we got to Lakeshore, they would not accept an ORIGINAL receipt. It didn't matter that we had the original receipt at all. We had to have the receipt and the debit card it was purchased on. I asked to speak with a manager, and it did not good. The return policy listed on the receipt is not the whole story. So my daughter got store credit, and was horribly disappointed, and my whole lesson about saving her receipt and it being the same as cash went out the window. So the lesson learned is don't buy birthday gifts from Lakeshore or anything that you might ever want to return. read more