The Wild Child continues to bring amazing toys into our homes during Covid-19...and they make it…read morealmost as easy as walking into the store. Sunday night I texted Gretchen.. Me: Hi! My son's friend is turning 7 tomorrow. Any good ideas for gifts? Gretchen: Yes! Is this gift for Asher? Their customer service is that good that they know the bday without you even telling them. Minutes later she had sent me suggestions that she thought Asher would, my son chose one (a robotic spider, obviously), I paid by credit card....and the gift was waiting at Asher's door about 30 minutes later. Oh and I even received a text that it had arrived. Based on customer service like this it's easy to see why 98% of gifts at bday parties (way back when we had them) are from Wild Child. Please support this amazing local toy store during this time for your own toy needs...and gifts for others. Thank you Gretchen & co for all that you do!

A big thanks to the whole team at The Wild Child. I learned this morning that I need to buy some…read moresolar eclipse glasses and that you were the only store locally that had them according to my wife and her Facebook friends. You were smart enough to have the inventory, yet your pricing was more than competitive with online retailers. You had an opportunity to pad your profits and raise prices, but you did not take it :) And your store was beautiful! The next time I need a children's gift I will be sure to visit your store. Thanks Gretchen and team.

I'm not gonna' lie...I was really sad when Toys 'R Us closed. I also know a lot of other parents…read morewho were sad right along with me. But, I get it...the prices were high and online shopping destroyed toy shopping in general. Now that my kids are older, I haven't thought much about toys, until tonight when I happened to be in Party City and decided to check out their brilliant new addition--Toy City! Walking past the Lego sets, I fully admit to getting choked up, wanting to take one home, but I moved on (because my kids are at that age where they would rather go get their teeth cleaned than spend time with me). Oh, I forgot to mention, Lego sets over $50 are 20% off. The good news, is if my kids decide they like me again, Toy City is here to stay at this location. Some other locations are short-term pop ups. The selection overall is nicely curated, and there's a little something for everyone, including older kiddos. You'll find a giant slime selection, bath toys for toddlers, lots of girly crafting kits like making bangles and quilting, Alex brand toys, sparkly plush pillows, and...OMG a Baby Alive! I had a Baby Alive when I was a toddler. For those parents who might not be digging the smaller selection of toys at Target and miss Toys 'R Us, you can thank me for this review. Your birthday party shopping just got a little bit easier. And, you can pick up wrapping paper while you're at it!

What a fun stop for unique gifts. I really liked the crafting section as well. All kinds of holiday…read moregifts and fun activities.

Great selection of toys, games, and crafts! The staff is helpful and they provide free gift…read morewrapping.

We cannot say enough good things about SMASH Toys…read more They took our order over the phone, then came in on a day they were closed so someone could pick it up. And as if that wasn't already incredible, they wrapped the gift for us, too. All of this was done with one simple goal in mind: to help make a kid's Christmas dream come true. Mission accomplished. Thanks to their kindness, flexibility, and genuine care, we are officially the coolest aunt and uncle on the planet, and that's a title we don't take lightly. This is what a local business looks like when it's run with heart. SMASH Toys didn't just sell a toy; they delivered joy, generosity, and a Christmas memory that will last forever. If you're shopping local and want service that goes so far above and beyond it feels unreal, this is the place. The Eagle Has Landed!

Ladies and gentlemen, Boys and girls,…read moreCome with me and you'll be, In a world of pure imagination..... Walking into Smash Toys made me feel like Charlie in the Chocolate Factory and I had the Golden Ticket. Every toy I remembered as a kid is in here. You will be overwhelmed by the nostalgia of your youth. From old toys to new, Smash Toys has it all. But seriously Johnathan has a great shop filled with new toys everytime I have come in. The store is a awesome treat and I have a blast talking to him about the toys from the 80s... Also If you have toys to sell skip the ebay hassle and outrageous fees cause you will get a good deal on your stuff. Trust me I know. Don't give you money to a greedy corporation... And if you are from out of town make this a place to visit and take some time to relive the glory days we had as kids.

If you don't mind a loud, pushy owner who likes to chat about why other toy stores are awful and…read morefollows you around the store, then this store is for you! I have only been in the store one time but she made me so uncomfortable that I left without making a purchase. It's really a shame as they have an excellent selection of toys for every age. I just can't give her my business.

Went in to buy some gifts/activities for a friend children. Told the owner i was looking to buy a…read morecouple items for each child. And as the owner was "helping me" (so pushy) she basically yelled at me when I told her some items were probably too difficult for the children I was buying for because my own children are not interested in them. She told me donate it all and be quiet because this is her business!!! I am all about supporting small business, which is why I was in the store but I will not be returning. Sat items down and left. Glenview's small. Word gets around quickly. Looks like I'll take my business elsewhere

Today I had the worst, most embarrassing experience I've ever had. I had a worker there yell across…read morethe store at me to stop flipping the comics around. Ti be nicer to the books. Ive been collecting for 40+ years. I know how to flip through books. I wasn't being rough with them. At the end ofvthe day, she can say whatever she wants to whomever she wants. Where i take issue, is the yelling across the store at me, and embarrassing me in front if other patrons, when at the root if it, I did nothing wrong. This was the worst service of any kind I've ever experienced. The staff there couldn't have been more rude and unprofessional to someone. I've been coming here for 15 years. Never again, and I don't recommend this place to anyone else.

Wow! Tucked inside the Golf Mill Mall near the movie entrance is a gem - one of a kind gamers…read moreparadise that sells comics, games, action figures and best of all holds card and game tournaments in the back of the store. It's really a gamers paradise and you can find here rare comic books, vintage games and toys that will delight both children and adults. The store is neatly organized, and very well lit - qualities conducive to a good treasure hunt.

The store was nicely stocked, and an associate was very helpful helping me find a sprcific model…read morepaint color.

Great store with a knowledgeable staff. Great variety of products from toys to models to legos and…read moreRC vehicles(cars, planes, boats, etc...)

OMG! I love this little gem of a store. There's something for everyone and it's so jam packed with…read moremany many toys it is super fun just to take a look around. This store carries so many unique items that you wouldn't find at traditional places. For example, the cat stress toys! (See pic), stickers, Korean and Japanese galore. The owner is also super friendly and helpful. She helped us locate products that we might like. Definitely a fan and I will be back!!

asked how much something was super overpriced women said I clearly couldn't afford it (I can)then…read moresnatched it out of my hands and waved me away and was a jerk

I can't believe i refused to tag along with my husband and kids.....its a delight for all STEM…read morestudents and nerd parents who are very hands-on and love to create stuff--enjoyed checking out the various aisles and playing with the gadgets. The kids at the counter seemed knowledgeable and helpful. Prices were very reasonable as well. I will certainly come back

This place is a hoot!  I dropped in here after a nearby lunch just to see what this place was like…read moreafter seeing a review, and having never been in their predecessor Chicago store of some 25 years on the northwest side of Chicago.  This store has been in Uptown Park Ridge for only about a year now, and for being on a busy commercial strip, they keep a low and quiet profile and are kind of easy to pass by and skip, because that's what I did for a year apparently! I was going to rate the store 4 stars, but I gotta give it 5 just because it's really a one of a kind shop.  They have all kinds of eclectic, random, fun, goofy, and also educational stuff and gadgets.  It's all supposed to have a bias towards science and education though.  Random things like military helmets, plastic wheels of various sizes, telescopes, microscopes, old typewriters, a Big Foot crossing sign, beakers and flasks, science kits, goofy models, toys, and trinklets, rubber mice, plastic ants for your next picnic, and whatever.  It's a great store for getting that unique geeky gift for someone, and also a place where inquisitive kids and adults alike can putz around and learn and laugh as well. They have their own convenient parking lot.  Their only other stores are in spread-out Geneva IL and Milwaukee WI.  Their prices ranged from cheap to modest from what I saw. The staff seems appropriately on the geeky side, but also friendly.  I met staffer Deborah and she showed me the signs depicting the company's history (since 1937!), and also informed me that coincidentally just two days ago they were featured on WGN-TV's Around Town morning show.  Here is the clip: https://wgntv.com/video/around-town-american-science-and-surplus/8385863/ Deborah told me after this TV clip, there was a big demand for their Bubble Blaster, which she happily demonstrated for me, and they sold out and had to restock their supply!  They also occasionally have free science party nights (next one is Feb 24 from 6:30 - 9pm) and those sound like a hoot for the kiddos.  I didn't buy anything this time, but do plan on bringing the grand-darlings back to putz around and probably walk away with who knows what next time lol.