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    Puzzle Zoo

    3.8 (116 reviews)
    ModerateToy Stores
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Puzzle Zoo Photos

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    Hello Kitty Pop! So cute 3
    Christina P.

    Puzzle Zoo has it all!! Puzzle Zoo has a cool variety of games, toys, and other cool stuff. When visiting the Promenade we always like to stop in and check out their selection of pop figures. They have a huge selection and even have a clearance section that are 40-50% off regular price. While shopping on our last trip the associate on the floor was so friendly and answered all our questions. I told her I was taking a photo for my yelp review and she even helped me set the display for the pop figures I was going to photograph! How cool is that?? Above and beyond customer service!

    B K.

    It's a fun and exciting new toys are waiting for your toddler and kids! Check out the Puzzle Zoo in 3rd street Promenade @ Santa Monica. They have variety of toys from Stem toys to Legos to Video games to hobbies and collections for Infants to 12 year olds. The staff are very friendly and nice. Nice toys to check out and try out before buying them. They do have samples out on the displays and prices are sub par. Don't expect too much deals buying from here, since the rent in Santa Monica for businesses are ridiculous! But I shop anywhere from Amazon to Ebay to Target and Walmart.. and compared to the giant retailers, the puzzle zoo have all the toys that you might be looking for. If you are around the 3rd street promenade and your kid needs to excitement.. check it out! Should be well worth your time, as long as you are sticking to your budget :)

    Says open until 9pm

    Brought my son to check out the Anime for his birthday and they closed right before even though posted hours say different. Thanks... for this

    Rob A.

    A must stop for any collector of collectible collections. You might just stumble upon that one unique or rare item you've been looking for. Kind of a cross between a high end toy store and the old Discovery Channel Store (remember those?). Prices are higher than you'd find elsewhere but most of this stuff, you won't find elsewhere, so there it is. You'll find Marvel and DC comic heroes; NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL figures; puzzles galore and games you haven't seen before; movie characters; stuff for the little kids (we're all little kids). If nothing else, just walk through. Go when it's busy and you'll do a lot of sideways and shoulder navigating though the narrow store. Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me. Actually no one says excuse me anymore (the friendly employees do though).

    E B.

    Please stay open! We love this cool, eclectic and very cool toy store on the 3rd Street Promenade. They have a wonderful selection of puzzles, toys, video games, and figurines. It's actually a great selection for adults also! But they do have stuffed animals and toddler toys as well.

    Discount double checkin' Go (Cal) Bears
    EJ F.

    Very nostalgic, not because of some of the old, original toys in the glass cases toward the back but because of the fact that I used to buy Japanese action figures and Gundam model kits here when I was little. Honestly I still stop in when I'm in Santa Monica to see what's new. It's interesting how some things change but some don't. What I mean is some childhood favorites are now back in the mainstream and kids are exposed to those same characters (transformers, g.i. joe, etc). I guess it's mostly due to the reboots in television and movies that made them popular again. I also like a lot of the retro video game related stuff (super mario, street fighter). P.S. they actually have puzzles here at the Puzzle Zoo.

    Jason L.

    Interesting toy and novelty shop on 3rd St. Promenade in Santa Monica. Has some interesting toys and other things, but due to the location everything is 30-40% over priced. (Hey, I suppose they need to pay that crazy rent.) Fun way to walk around and kill some time, but hard to justify the prices. 3 stars.

    Amanda S.

    I love Puzzle Zoo. Whenever my boyfriend and i are at 3rd street, it's usually our first stop haha. He goes for the puzzles, and i go for the cute little wind up toys and the teeeeny tiny little animal figures. So cute. I suppose that's where the "Zoo" part comes into play. the one thing that sucks is how crowded it always is. I think they definitely need to consider re-designing the place cuz it's pretty obnoxious being surrounded by screaming children and not being able to escape fast enough, haha. My boyfriend bought 3 different kinds of Rubik's Cubes....he's obsessed. One of the one's he got was a gray/black/silver cube which we had never seen before, so that was kinda cool. Anyway, it's pretty hard to get bored in this store. there is something for everrryyonee. Usually the parents get more carried away than the kids, haha.

    Hay U.

    i love Puzzle Zoo. So many puzzles, games etc. i use to go to toys-or-us to find board games but i enjoy the experience and staff much more here. I don't feel like I'm going into a children's store even tho it is very child-friendly.

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    4 months ago

    Friendly staff and great selection when you need a birthday gift and don't want to use Amazon

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    They sell Pokemon cards for basically $8-9 a pack when it should be $5 minimum. Also the man at the register is so unpleasant.

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    2 years ago

    Greeted every time I walk in and employees willing to help. It gives that classic local toy store vibes

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    3 years ago

    They markup Lego 50% and other types of toys more than retail value. Lego batmobile $47 on Amazon and Target, $70 at puzzle zoo. Nuff said.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Puzzle Zoo

    Review Highlights - Puzzle Zoo

    This store has the best selection of Funko POP toys I've ever seen at a store.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Miniso - Shop front.

    Miniso

    4.6(5 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    Absolutely mind blown by the size of this Miniso store!! This one is located in downtown Santa…read moreMonica on 3rd street promenade. We were hanging out at the Pier with some friends from out of town during Pokemon Go Tour: Unova and headed over here to try to catch more pokemon but also check out some shops! I was super surprised to even find a Miniso out here since they are typically only inside malls. I guess technically this is a type of outdoor mall. Miniso is a great place to shop for some of your favorite things like Disney, Sanrio, and Harry Potter items. They had a few blind boxes and anime figures but everything was laid out so nicely! Super organized and overall nice to the eye. This store makes a great shopping spree for gifts since everything is pretty cheap. Great location and store overall! Didn't buy anything this time but maybe next time! IG: @ammysalamii

    I am fond of Miniso! This Miniso branch is part of the Third street Promenade…read more The shop is so cute, spacious, very clean and organized. In addition to, it has fun vibes and decor. They had multiple Stitch (from Lilo and Stitch movie) were hanging from the ceiling. They have a huge selection of Harry Potter merchandise. They carry the Korean skin products brands. They have plushies, stationaries, pillows, tote bags, and cute accessories. They have high quality merchandise for Hello Kitty. They carry also some merchandise for Squid Game 2. They have sweet and savory snacks. The price in general is affordable, and the merchandise quality is decent. The staff were very friendly. Miniso offers reward program, which is very cool specially for regular shoppers. I really enjoyed shopping in this branch and I will be back whenever I am in Santa Monica.

    Photos
    Miniso - Inside IG: @ammysalamii

    Inside IG: @ammysalamii

    Miniso - Inside, so bright and cheerful!!

    Inside, so bright and cheerful!!

    Miniso

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    Quinnie & B - Inside the store from the front door.

    Quinnie & B

    5.0(5 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    Well curated toy shop with some darling stuffie options…read more Instead of using my usual online gift giving method, made it a point to shop local here for a child's birthday gift. The free gift wrapping is a nice benefit. No pets are allowed in the shop though so leave doggie at home.

    This is a great neighborhood toy store for gifts and toys for the kids. It is a tiny toy shoppe -…read morejust like is says at the front of the building. What it lacks in space, it has a nicely curated layout and selection of toys, party favors, games, books, coloring/art toys, costumes, accessories for girls and stuffed animals. I came in here wanting to get a gift for a 2 year old boy and a 3 year old girl. I'm picky when it comes to toys and games. I don't like plasticky gimmicky toys and want something that isn't offensive to look at. I'm a design snob. They have a range of items for different ages from newborns to teens to adults who are young at heart. They have branded superhero and Star Wars stuff for boys. For a last minute party, they have a cute selection of premium party favors and paper ware from Meri Meri and other brands. For the 2 year old boy, I found cute simple wooden puzzles depicting animals driving different construction vehicles. For the 3 year old girl, a great coloring book with cute cartoons of snacks and sweet treats and got a stacking rainbow heart colored crayon set. Complementary gift wrapping is simple and elegant. Brown paper with colored ribbons. Nicely designed gift tags and bags with the store logo. But I was super tempted to buy one sheet of Meri Meri gift wrapping paper - so cute and modern - for myself. I have two young kids and will definitely take them back here for a small treat!

    Photos
    Quinnie & B - Inside right next to the front door.

    Inside right next to the front door.

    Quinnie & B - Cute wrapping paper from Meri Meri for sale.

    Cute wrapping paper from Meri Meri for sale.

    Quinnie & B - Complementary gift wrapping.

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    Complementary gift wrapping.

    Caro Bambino

    Caro Bambino

    4.4(35 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Really cute baby store right on Main Street in Santa Monica. My husband and I came in here when I…read morewas still pregnant to review a few things that we had been eyeing for our registry in real life. Everything they carry is very luxe, high end brands and most of the materials seemed to be organic. The sales person was really nice and answered all of our questions. They also have a decent stroller selection that was really high end. She didn't know as much about car seats and stroller compatibility but was still very patient and nice. I'm excited to keep shopping here as our son grows up.

    I have been looking forward to going to this store since before I was pregnant. Now being 16 weeks…read morepregnant, I made it a point to visit when I was in town. I walked in and the sales woman was helping the only other customer in the store. She never once acknowledged my presence in the 15mins I stood there with my hands full of items. Never a "hello", "I'll be right with you", or "let me know if you need anything". Even when I was standing at the cash register wanting to pay, she never turned her attention from this other man. All of my excitement was gone... I put my items down and left. And of course that wasn't acknowledged either. I'm extremely sad and disappointed. Luckily there are other amazing baby stores on this street so I was able to find the cutest things - and they were HAPPY to assist me!

    Photos
    Caro Bambino
    Caro Bambino - Lots of cute stuff for coworker or friend's baby shower

    Lots of cute stuff for coworker or friend's baby shower

    Caro Bambino - For sure the best looking store I've ever seen. There is space to move around with the stroller, and ever a little play area for the kiddos.

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    For sure the best looking store I've ever seen. There is space to move around with the stroller, and ever a little play area for the kiddos.

    Tom's Toys

    Tom's Toys

    3.8(74 reviews)
    6.5 mi
    $$

    I LOVE and have always LOVED a good toy store. I remember as a kid, if there was a toy store, we…read morewere going to go check it out! It was so much fun to look around and discover new toys, games, stuffed animals, and dolls and nice when we got something new. I think it's a wonderful childhood experience to peruse a toy store and I'm glad that Tom's Toys is around to continue the tradition. Fun to look around and shop here. What an AWESOME toy store! Very clean. It is much bigger inside than it looks from the outside. Lots of toys from great brands to choose from for all ages and a great variety. Legos, teddy bears, dolls, hot wheels etc. I think they may have it all! Came in here to buy a gift. I got the cutest, age-appropriate stuffed animal at such a great value. Prices in this store are very reasonable and comparable to online prices and sometimes even better if there's a sale. Plus, love supporting small, local businesses. Customer service was awesome. So helpful and kind. Pointed me in the direction of what I came in for. They even offered to wrap my gift for me. Metered parking and garage parking close by. In a walkable area with other shops and restaurants.

    This is a HUGE toy store! So awesome. It is air conditioned inside, which was perfect on a hot day…read more They have a wide selection of different types of toys for all ages of babies, toddlers, kids, teens, and even adults (for example, I collect Hotwheels)! I will definitely be back. Super cool store.

    Photos
    Tom's Toys
    Tom's Toys
    Tom's Toys

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    RWT Collective

    RWT Collective

    4.7(63 reviews)
    3.4 miSawtelle
    Family-owned & operated
    Speaks Spanish

    RWT is a fairly huge TCG collectable shop! Walking into the entrance from Sawtelle side makes you…read morefeel as if you're going to a store in Japan. This shop is located on the 2nd floor of The Block plaza. Coming from Sawtelle, you into a hallway and up a set of stairs. You are immediately greeted with everything TCG related. There are sealed products along the wall, show cases with graded cards and fan made merch?, folders with loose singles. Then along side of the area near the window you'll see table set up for gaming. There is a lot to check out, I can't say the prices are retail but more likely at competitive market rates. The craziest part is, that is not all. Walking towards the opposite side of the shop are sports cards. The area is not equally as large as the TCG side but there was for sure a lot to look at. My niece was looking for Pokemon Full Arts and she was able to find a double handful just by browsing the binders. Parking: private structure, street VERDICT: Rinse and repeat

    A really fun shop to stop by if you're in the area. I almost missed this hidden gem. I was right…read morenext door at a soft serve shop and saw a singular door that the bottom of some staircases. On top of the doorway had the letters "RWT" and saw a few people entering. I looked up the Yelp page and to my surprise it was a TCG shop. Highly recommend stopping by to look around. Of course we had to take a yonder. They have a ton of PSA graded and bulk cards for cheap. Love that they have bulk cards laying around for you to look through, some are in binders some are in small boxes. Also have a ton of seating for their community events, including trade nights and tournaments. Kept clean, tons of trashcans at the end of each table. We visited on a Saturday that was pretty warm, high 80s with high foot traffic and it stayed well ventilated and cool with AC.

    Photos
    RWT Collective - Been coming here for a customer for over a year and been shown nothing but love.

    Been coming here for a customer for over a year and been shown nothing but love.

    RWT Collective - Grand Archive AMB Store Champs!

    Grand Archive AMB Store Champs!

    RWT Collective - Grand Archive AMB Store Champs!

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    Grand Archive AMB Store Champs!

    Puzzle Zoo - toys - Updated May 2026

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