There is no shortage of great shopping in JP, so when looking for gifts for the kids on your list, eschew the big box stores and start right here.  You’ll get personal service—including helpful recommendations—shorter lines and even free gift-wrapping in some of the stores we’ve highlighted here. No need to fight for parking at the mall with all these fantastic gifts right at our doorstep!

Infants:

Organic Animal Dolls (by Hazel Village)

You’ll love the hand-sewn animal dolls (and rattles, sold separately) by Hazel Village.  Made from organic cotton, their hand-stitched faces are safe for even the youngest babies.  Each comes with a tag explaining a bit about the character of the animal.  Ella Toad’s tag says, “Ella Toad likes to play kickball, so she wears special red booties to shield her webbed feet from the impact. Then, when she gets hungry for waterlily bulbs, she hangs her booties from a shrub and paddles into the pond barefoot.” Gwendolyn Raccoon, Oliver Mouse and other animals also available.

Available at Hatched for $39

Jingle Bell Ball (by Ecoleeko) 

Made of all organic cotton fabrics (bamboo fleece, corduroy, cotton terry) this lovely ball has a bell nestled deep inside its natural kapok fiber filler. 

Available at Hatched for $9

Peek-squeak Monkey (by Manhattan Toys)

This adorable squeaking, crinkling, monkey with a magnetic banana will entertain your baby while encouraging fine motor skill development.  

Avaiable at Boing! for $16.50

Young children:

Footed Children’s Gelato bowl (by Headchefs)

These fun stackable bowls will please ice-cream (and gelato) eaters young and old with their cute feet and clever design. 

Available at Kitchenwitch for $6.95

Puzzles (assorted)

Pick up a chunky, easy-to-handle, wooden puzzle for toddlers or young children.  Ask one of the friendly sales associates for an age-appropriate recommendation.  Smaller pieced and more complex puzzles for older kids are also available. 

Available at Boing! (prices vary)

Grade schoolers (up to age 12)

Games by BlueGreen. 

A great selection of family-friendly games by BlueGreen is available at Boing.  Double Shutters, a fast paced dice-based game, and Tell Tale, a picture-based story telling game are two current faves.  

Avaiable at Boing! (prices vary)

Sleds (assorted)

Standard plastic toboggan style sleds along with blow-up tube sleds are available in assorted colors.  Just add snow!

Available at Ace Hardware for $9.99 – $12.99

Teenagers:

Air Jordan shoes

For the sophisticated teen on your list looking for “the” shoe, check out Got Sole 1981’s selection of terrific skate boarding styles. 

Avaiable at Got Sole for $80

Dark Star SkateBoard

For the skate-boarder in your life, don’t miss a great selection of boards.  Pictured is a complete (with struts and wheels) DarkStar board. 

Available atGot Sole for $80

Any age:

JP Lick’s Gift card

Who doesn’t love ice cream?  Honor the kids on your list with gift cards good for any purchase at JP Licks, including ice cream, sundaes, shakes, drinks and baked goods.   Mint chip sundae anyone? For a limited time, your $25 gift card purchase comes with a free $5 bonus card. 

Available at JP Licks

Bizarro Glassses 

A fun gift for kids of any age, these fun glasses are as affordable as they are goofy.  Drayton Patriota, sales associate at On Centre was game to model the glasses for us.  They’re sure to be big hit.

Available at On Centre for $6

RockSpot Gift Card 

Not far away, tucked away in an industrial section of Hyde Park, a land of indoor bouldering and top-rope climbing exists.  Youth classes (ages 4 and up) and teen and family climb times are available (see schedule online). RockSpot is a spot to put on your list.

Available at RockSpot