I loved this store. Walking in, at the urging of my wife, I was thinking that I would spend a few minutes and then move on with my day. I definitely wasn't going to be purchasing anything. Wow, was I wrong. The store is loaded with toys, games, puzzles, activities and fidgets. I saw so many things that I didn't know existed in the realm of toys. Quite a few items tempted me, not just for my personal kids, but also for those in my classroom. I looked a few items up online while I was there and saw that the prices were comparable to online retailers. I decided not to wait. Why not get them at Shaninigans and support local. Overall, Shananigans felt like an experience I didn't know I needed. Definitely will be back to stock up for the holidays. read more

Wow, I used to love this store. The old owners were amazing! They were so helpful and kind and welcoming. Plus, I can walk here from work. I have enjoyed getting gifts for my daughter and all of the little kids in my life. However, I came in yesterday looking for a Balance bike for my daughter for her second birthday. I found one, they only had one left, and I bought it. Unfortunately, when I got it home although the box said that the seat was adjustable, it was only adjustable forward and backwards, not up and down.Which is a bit odd considering it says it's for 18 month to four-year-old children. My daughter was too tall for the bike. I brought it back today because there was no way she could use it. The girl who sold it to me yesterday said no problem and then she got another woman to come help me. I assume this is the store owner(a middle-age woman behind the counter). She was incredibly rude. She told me that she's gonna have to eat the cost as a small business and rolled her eyes, and then said that it's not actually returnable, but that she would give me a refund. Ok? You're mad at me? For doing business with you? Because something had what seems like false advertising on the box? It wasn't broken, but it did not adjust. I'm not sure how a four-year-old would be able to use that bike (The age was 18 months to four years old with an adjustable seat). Considering that seat doesn't adjust up and down makes it a bit odd to advertise such a large age gap. I left the store thinking that she was clearly mad at me and upset that I had returned the bike.That attitude at a children's store is just not the way to do business. As a business owner, sometimes that's just the cost of doing business. Sometimes you have to do the right thing regardless of whether or not that is in your financial best interest. I don't think I'll be back to shop here anymore. Which is too bad because I love supporting local businesses here in Baltimore. read more

This used to be such a wonderful toy store! Not anymore. They still have a good selection but the service and feel of the store are terrible. Everyone is stressed and the check out people don't even say thank you. Just feels like a stressed commercial enterprise. read more

This was our first visit and we'll certainly be back. The selection was impressive and customer support exceptional. It is a real find.

I love this store! Their selection is fabulous, such cute and unique toys. The service is wonderful and I will definitely continue to support this small, local business. read more

Customer service was good.. just not for us, we watched the employees greet and make small talk with everyone but us. I'd have to assume it was because we were the only people of color in the store. It's difficult watching the employees have fun short conversations at checkout and expecting the same just to be met with a blank stare and no chit chat. read more

Shananigans is an amazing toy shop. For years they have been our go-to place for birthday and Christmas presents and wish list making. The staff is thoughtful and attentive. Shananigans is a Baltimore treasure. We are lucky to have this toy shop still open in our city. Please support local, small businesses - especially this one! read more

This was an amazing shop full of items for all ages. The prices were comparable to other stores prices and the staff was friendly. They definitely had something for everyone. We loved all of the squishables and the tub of rubber chickens. read more

Shananigans Toy Shop - Fuzzy corn dog. - Toy Stores Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Shananigans is a well stocked & friendly neighborhood toy shop with everything under the sun & owners are knowledgeable & helpful with free giftwrap service - I stop here before every celebration or special occasion . read more

Just a treasure! Service excellent. Just such a quaint place. Please patronize these folks, its a special place.

Great store filled with unique toys and more for every age group! Our go to spot for kids!

I adore Shenanigans! Let me start by saying this is every busy parent's or procrastinator's (or both!) dream! This small business [with pretty good parking] is easy to get to and has a great deal of gift options - for both kids and adults! The prices are reasonable, the staff is super friendly, and the hours are fair. The best part is...they. wrap. the. presents. for. you!!!! This free gift wrapping service has saved us numerous times on a way to a party! So the next time the clock is moving too fast for your liking and you want to grab a cool gift before a party - remember Shenanigans! read more

This is a wonderful locally owned toy store in Baltimore. It has a very diverse collection of toys for all kinds of kids. They emphasize good quality brands at a very competitive price. And there are many small items if a kid wants to spend their allowance here. The owner truly understands what a child likes, and has a great eye for finding and stocking unusual well made competitively priced items. No matter the child's age, interests or abilities, you will find something at this store that they will like. We are truly lucky to have a store like this in Baltimore! read more

Easily the best toy shop I've ever been to. I grew up going here and absolutely loved it as a kid. Moved away and returned recently to see what it was like now and it still holds all of the magic it did when I was little! Staff is so so helpful and excited to see you when you come in. They have great recommendations and will help you find anything you may need! read more

I've seen this place on Google Maps before, but had never actually visited until today when we were in the area. Absolutely lovely store, bigger on the inside than I thought it was, with a great selection, reasonable pricing, and very friendly, helpful staff. We bought a stuffed animal for our young daughter while we were there. I also asked about a recent board game that had just come out, and they didn't have it on hand -- not surprising, it's barely making its way to retail now -- but they are ordering a copy for me. We saw a ton of great toys that would be great for our daughter when she gets a little older, so we'll definitely be back. Definitely more of a toy store for kids than a board game store for adults, but the local comic and game shop has lousy selection and surly staff -- come here for kids' toys for sure, but if you're in the market for board games, think about coming here for that too. They have tons of games for a younger audience, but they have a remarkably good selection of games for an older audience as well. read more

What a nice shop this is! We went in to buy some birthday presents for our kid, and we left with much more than we expected; Shananigans has an excellent selection of puzzles, boardgames, and craft supplies, with an emphasis on toys that encourage active, imaginative play. The owners couldn't have been more helpful. Thank you! read more

Although I've only lived in Baltimore a short time (2 years now), I have done a lot of toy shopping since I moved here (various nieces, friends' kids.. myself.. you get the picture); and I can say without reservation that Shananigans is the best toy store in Baltimore. Though it can be a bit hard to move around inside when the store is crowded with customers, it's mostly because the place is packed--and I do mean packed--with great stuff. The kind of stuff you won't find in any other toy store in the city.. or in the surrounding counties for that matter. The proprietors clearly have an eye for the cool and unusual, making this store a one-stop location not only for the little 'uns, but for the older kids (from 10 to.. um.. ahem.. 36 or so) as well. Truly helpful employees and an awesome selection of toys and games means that I cannot recommend this store highly enough. read more

This place is a treasure. It has well curated, quality toys for all ages and price points. The owners are delightful and clearly take joy in what they do. read more

This is a hidden gem. A real children's toy shop that specializes in thoughtful well made battery- free toys. I love walking into this store. They have a great board game selection. read more

Have a kid? Were a kid? Want to be a kid again? Come to Shananigans! They're by far the best local toy store around. They have brands that I've never heard of before (and I've worked with children for more than a decade now) and if they don't have what you're looking for, they'll do what they can to order it. Support a great local business and check this place out. I'd be willing to bet you won't leave without at least a Lego or two. read more

The best toy store in Baltimore, hands down! We have gone here for years and they recently renovated which makes it even better. Great advice and smart toy selection. read more

For Baltimore, this is as good as it gets in an independent neighborhood toy store. A nice selection of toys brands for a wide range of ages. The young man and a middle aged salespeople were knowledgeable and helpful. However, I was expecting a store large enough to accommodate toys open for demonstration and definitely not for claustrophobics. I liked that they stocked Wow! toys and other well-known brands. A lot of Chinese-made toys but this is understandable given that certain European brands are now harder to come by (e.g., Selectica puzzles, Brio train sets). They had Bruder, Green Toys, Corolle and Haba. Surprised by lack of well known Thai (Plan Toys, Djeco) and some European brands (Vilac, Kathe Kruse, Heros). Not a large selection of doll furniture or quality toy jewelry (e.g., wooden ones from Haba). They have Thomas & Friends trains and Hot Wheels. They have kitschy Japanese toys like food erasers and Hammond lollipops and candy canes. Prices and return policy (exchange only) are reasonable for who they are. I have to disagree with their "specialty toy shop" label. If anything, are trying to appeal to all age ranges and all price segments -- "jack-of-all-trades" is more accurate. Nevertheless a solid 3 star rating as selection & service are vastly superior to what you'll find in Target, Toys R Us and other chains. My Yelp rating is in comparison to independent toy stores in other cities -- e.g., I can vouch for The Play Store in Palo Alto, CA or Fairhaven Toy Garden in Bellingham, WA. I think that top (4 or 5 star rated) places must have sufficient retail space to check out your toys in action. When there are plenty of viable online alternatives for high-end toys (Oompa Toys, Moolka) and regular brands (Amazon), you go to shop at your local independent store expecting the classic "toy store experience", right? The place very cramped so I'd hesitate to bring my little ones on a rainy day. Just go by yourself instead. read more

This store is definitely the top banana for toy stores in Baltimore. You won't find a selection like this at a big chain. I have so much fun browsing and discovering all the quirky things that I didn't know I needed until I came in. And when you visit, be sure to look up at the ceiling to see all the creative decorating that they've done. If you look closely, you'll even notice hand-written notes on certain toys better describing them. Ie, a Transformers toy had a note saying, "Very difficult!". The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. They'll spend as much time with you as you need to find the perfect toy. Need a gift for a child and have NO idea what to get? This is the best store for that. Just walk in and tell them your requirements and in moments you have a selection of toys to choose from. And you can leave feeling good that you supported a local store and not a big chain. I can't say enough good things about this shop and the people that work in it. I've made my fair share of visits and I still haven't seen everything they have to offer. read more

We go to Shananigans every Christmas to shop for our daughters. The staff/owners are extremely helpful and make great recommendations. They're also very knowledgable about their stock and toys and games in general. This place is a gem and I can't recommend it highly enough. read more

I live in Bel Air and drive to Baltimore to go to Shenanigans. I love this little store stacked from floor to ceiling with amazing toys, books, activities, exotic stuffed animals, etc. Something for all ages. I can always find something unique. They carry lots of little gifts that are great for slipping in an envelope with a card for the grands. They carry "real" toys that use the imagination. The owners are wonderful and go the extra mile to be helpful. It's one of Baltimore's best kept secrets. Get the word out! read more

Simply Fabulous. Everyone is so kind and helpful. They have almost everything and what they don't have they are often willing to special order for. Far and away the best toy store in town. read more

This place is amazing... Great curated collection of toys. Helpful and knowledgable staff. What a great place. I come here for all gifts and all birthday parties! read more

Great toy shop with the exception of the middle aged woman that was incredibly rude and discouraging and dismissed my concerns of toxicity in the art supplies for my one year old. She could have been more diplomatic in her response rather than being so rude and condescending. I really like the gentleman that owns the store and the young ladies but the older woman needs to go.... read more

I LOVE this toy shop. It's the only place I go in town. Not only is the selection great, but the owners are friendly and eager to help and have great knowledge about the products they sell. I also feel really good giving my money to a small Mom & Pop business as opposed to going to Toys-R-Us...And...I always find stuff I want there too, like art supplies and hilarious odds and ends appealing to the adult crowd. I'm happy to give this store a five star rating. They deserve it for their excellent customer service and years of running a much beloved and respected local business. read more

So I just want you to know how awesome your store is and how grateful we are to have a small business like yours nearby. Stephanie has told everyone she has talked to today of David's very kind gesture to her for being so brave with her surgery this past Friday. There aren't enough small businesses like Shananigans or owner's like David around anymore and I am so happy to have found this little gem. Your store is wonderful and you guys are truly good people. Thank you so much for what you do. read more

Every time I walk into this place I feel like a kid again. There is so much cool stuff in one little space that it can be overwhelming. Still, if you embrace the madness that the small confines, combined with high volume, that this store creates, you are in for a treat. They have something for kids of every age, divided roughly into sections. They have great board games (think Carcasson and Ticket to Ride) and weird Japanese things. They carry trains and cars of many varieties. Yes, they do sell SOME plastic Chinese junk, but mostly their toys are thoughtful, well made devices that you will feel good about giving to your kids, or taking to a birthday party. I did all of my Christmas shopping here and was helped by one of the workers who suggested excellent gifts for both of my kids. Now that I've found Shenanigans I find myself there WAY more than in the toy aisle of a box store. I highly recommend this place. read more

I love to stop by this toy store whenever I am in town to get gifts for my granddaughters. The store is a family affair. David, one of the owners, has a real knack for finding the perfect toy for any child.. Lots of games and toys to try out, as well. For all of the service you get, you might think the prices would be high, but they aren't... Very reasonable prices. This is how toy stores used to be! Highly recommend! read more

Fantastic toy store! I was in town recently for a conference and was looking for a gift to bring home for my daughter. The selection here was excellent, and I loved the festive atmosphere. Although there are toys everywhere, it didn't feel claustrophobic at all. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and I left with a hard-to-find, beautifully gift-wrapped present that was a hit. read more

I love this place and have shopped there since it was owned by the previous owners, Sharon and Nancy. I have to say, the Selzers (David, Mom, Dad, and sister) are all lovely people who do their very best to offer great customer service and a wide selection of toys both educational and fun. Mrs. Selzer (I hope I have the right spelling) has never been anything but helpful and kind. I can't imagine how the previous poster must have behaved to get Mrs. Selzer to be rude. I have never seen that happen in the scores of times I've been at this store. David is a wealth of great information about toys and clearly loves them; he's kid-like in his joy and excitement. He makes a fabulous toy maven. If I have to buy toys, this is where I shop. Child's Play is another good Baltimore toy store, but it can't hold a candle to Shenanigans for a warm and comfortable shopping experience. read more

While this store has a great selection, the son of the owners is completely inappropriate and rude if he does not agree with the type of gift you are buying for a child of a certain age. I believe there may be some alternative explanations for his behavior, however, i do not think he should be working in a customer "service" oriented position. read more

Love this place! It's like a little hidden gem. The store isn't huge but has a really nice variety of items. The back room is pretty interesting- check it out if you have a chance! Also, staff are extremely friendly and helpful. I was looking for something rather difficult to find and rare, but they looked through their storage and pulled out everything they could find. Overall, a great little toy store and I'm glad they exist! No toys'r'us for me! read more

Love this place! We have been coming here for 8 years for all birthdays, holidays and just because. We always find something that is just perfect for the kids and sometimes for us adults too! The new expansion gives both the kids and me more room to leisurely look through the awesome collection of toys, still with the little nooks and crannies that make it such a great place to feel like a kid again! David, Ms. Flora and Mr. Barry are wonderfully accomodating, and super knowledgeable about a perfect gift for the child you have in mind. read more

I stopped in today to buy toys for a 4 year olds birthday party. I live in Roland Park and have never been in despite having two young children. I walked up and there was a sidewalk sale. I did find something that would work, but the box looked beaten up. Therefore, I walked inside to find something else. A woman came up and helped me. I didn't see anything that looked "boyish" so I stuck with what I found on sale. I also grabbed a small soccer ball and cones for my 2 year old son. I asked the woman if they sold gift bags so I wouldn't have to make the trip into Tuxedo Pharmacy. She replied no. As I walked up to the counter I noticed gift wrap. Therefore, I said great you have gift wrap. She very curtly replied "no, you picked something on sale, we DO NOT wrap sale items". I replied "even if I pay for the gift wrap?" Again, bluntly and cold "no, it's on sale, you would be embarrassed if they found out you purchased something on sale. It's not returnable. Everybody knows our wrapping paper". Quite frankly, no I would not be embarrassed and I do buy items on sale. I surprisingly feel no shame buying items on sale. Now, I fully understand not gift wrapping for free, however if someone is willing to pay, I think at that point you are just losing business. Nordstrom has a policy if you buy something full price it is altered by them and if on sale you pay the alteration fee. Needless to to say, I handed her my items and said thanks but no thanks, I'll go elsewhere and spend my money. As I sat in my car getting ready to go she came out and said she might be able to find me a gift bag....really??? I just strapped my child in the carseat and now you want to help me?? Again, thanks but no thanks. There are many places to buy toys. Which is a shame because this is so convenient to my house. I ended up at Target and spent $65.35. $7.50 was for the bag and tissue. I have two small children with about 20 children in their class. That equates roughly to close to 30-40 birthdays a year for the next 5 year at a minimum at $50 dollars a pop. A store owner can run a store however they please, but a customer can spend their money wherever they please too. read more