Monkey See Monkey Do

Such a fun gift shop! They have a lot of 90s toy items plus random books. Candy. And gag gifts. Customer service was great! The girls that worked there are very laid back and cool. Plus. When you show the cashier your check in on Unilocal.You get a free gift!

Probably my favorite gift shop in SoCo, but mostly because I’m a 90s kid. They have all sorts of random gift-​shop-​type novelty toys, random stuff like gangsta rap coloring books, super old school trading cards (including Back to the Future 2, Power Rangers, and all sorts of Topps). In the back, there are action figures from the 90s and early 2000s (including Ninja Turtles, Batman and Star Wars Episode 1). Nostalgia galore!
The best part is they encourage you to take photos and share them! Just not postcards and the inside of books.
Definitely stop by if you’re in the area!

I really do enjoy this place. It has everything you can think of in a toy store. From toys, books, key chains, magnets, and all else possible. It’s in a great area off of South Congress. Parking can be kinda of crazy. But it is worth a stop.

Neat toy store. It was fun browsing! A bit over priced but they do have some unique items. Definitely worth a visit!

Nothing in this store is a necessity but if you feel like splurging on some fan geared swag, it’s worth checking out. If you’ve ever browsed FredFlare before the website closed down, this is essentially the in-​person version of the webstore. It’s in a nice location of South Congress and theres a lot of free parking in the area.

This store is so amazing. We love coming here to simply browse and I usually end up buying something for my son. Not at all overpriced and there is a wide array of merchandise geared more towards adults. The biggest plus for me is that I was able to find my son Godzilla toys here, and they are the type that he can actually play with– not just put on a shelf.

On street (back-​in) parking is available along the road, which is where we found parking within «Soco». I have no idea where else parking is available so, as a tourist, I stopped here :)
This is definitely a cute little shop that has a bunch to look at. The items range from stuffed animals, funny emoji pillows, mood rings, games, random books, and etc. It reminds me of those random fun gift idea items from Kitson or Urban Outfitters :) I recommend coming here for a quick look around. You’ll be surprised with that you find and what you take a liking to. (Btw, WARNING there are some stuff for kids, but what I saw there could have you answering your kids’ questions about many other things as well in the future)
Quick tip: if you check in to any of their social media listed, you get a cute little souvenir from the shop to take home with you. Don’t be embarrassed, the person that worked there yesterday was awesome and very friendly!

I loved this store, but there are a lot of toys that would be questionable for kids, so if you are looking for a kid’s store, this isn’t quite for the little ones. I loved it though! I went with my 9 year old and he is just getting to the age where he notices when some things are inappropriate, but it wasn’t terrible, if you aren’t a huge prude. It was fun to walk around and look and laugh at all the items. Lots of quirky things you can’t find easily and funny gifts for friends. Love it!

Fun collectibles, from Star Wars to Breaking Bad. Great gifts for yourself or a friend. Practical things (like tin lunch boxes) to gag gifts (The Last Supper breath mints).

Awesome place! I stop by here at least once every visit to Austin! Staff is insanely friendly and they have a lot of awesome cool gadgets and gifts

This place is awesome! It is chock full of fun, nerdy, and unique items. They have toys, collectibles, keychains and magnets, books, clocks, and tons of other novelty things. The prices seem really good too; my bf bought an Android figurine that runs at least $ 10-​$ 12 at other retailers for $ 6. If you are in the area, it is a must.

Four words: Blind Box figure exchange.
There’s quite the selection of blind box toys and, if you open them (after purchase) at the register and find something you already have or if their «collection» has something you want more, you can exchange it! SO MUCH WIN!

Great place for a wacky gift idea!
If you are looking for a way out in left field gift for anyone this is the place to go!!!
Make someone smile and laugh with a gift from this place, they will never forget it.

Neat store RUDE employees! I took my phone out to text my MOTHER. The guy tells me «no pictures of the magnets». I say OK just texting my mom thanks. I unlock my phone it was on instgram so he says…“oh OK texting your mom on instgram… sure”
EXCUSE me. I put everything I was going to buy down and left.
I understand him not wanting pictures in his store but at no point in time was his sarcastic rude comment needed or necessary!

By far my favorite quirky toy store in Austin. Always a fun time to wander through the store. This is my go to spot for gag gifts… which is mostly what I give!
Honestly there are so many cool things in this store. Clocks, magnets, cards, collectible figurines, books, mugs, whoopie cushions etc etc etc! If you can’t find something to give someone in here, you probably have some seriously uptight friends =P
This is a must see if you are wandering up and down the SoCo strip of shops and restaurants.

This store is so much fun. It’s one of those stores I would always walk by on South Congress and think «I should go check it out», but, for one reason or another, never would. I’m glad I decided to stop in there this past weekend!
They have inappropriate gifts, plushes, keychains, magnets, all sorts of random figures and collections, ranging from fantasy to TV shows. Most importantly, I discovered the mystery mini Game of Thrones vinyl characters. I am now addicted and will be coming back to buy more. It’s like gambling! And they have a great policy where you can trade out a duplicate mystery figure for one that they have in their store collection — I ended up not needing to use it because I didn’t get any duplicates.
I also found Pac-​Man stress balls. I need to go finish my collection and get all the colors of ghosts.
It’s a fun store and it has that Austin cool/​weird vibe to it (without being hipster-​y!); it’s very well-​stocked and their employees are happy and ready to help.

This is a neat, little toy and novelty shop. Lots of fun chotskies like fake mustaches and wind up «flippy» toys — you know, the stuff you buy because it’s cool and/​or funny, take home, sits on your desk for a month or so, ends up in a box, and then you donate it next year? :) It is obviously an affliction of mine that I’m am slowly getting over. (empasis on slowly here-​lol!)
Also, have some adult type items (e.g., book of Playboy Playmates). Tons of stickers and retro-​type buttons. A nice place to visit if you’re looking for a whimsical gift for someone you like — or the perfect gag gift for the co-​worker you secretly hate. Never grow up! :-)

South Austin’s own version of a Spencer’s Gifts. Tongue in cheek naughty gifts, silly fart gags, nerd magnets, and lots of other gizmos. After walking around uncommon objects this is a polar opposite example of newness and the uselessness of most of it.
Despite all if this, the place is cute and feels austin. If you’re already on soco walking about its worth popping in. Something is likely to catch your eye and turn your head back.
If nothing else it gives you a great start on your online search for these items. Pricing isn’t consistent. Some items will be WAY cheaper online, others you can catch a break on in store. So check if you fancy something for yourself or as a gift for another.

Got my girlfriend’s birthday gift from here. It was a book. Do you really wanna know what the book is called? No, really. Do you? It’s called, «F*** This Book». And I couldn’t stop looking at it. It’s not what you think. Go ahead. Google it.
I’m also a huge fan of anything Labbit by Frank Kozik of which they do sell some of his stuff here. A freakin’ bunny that smokes? And has an ‘x’ on its @ss for the butthole?
I have deep affection for this place.

Not just another «ehh, goofy gift shop.» You’ll certainly stumble upon it when you’re making the ubiquitous trek down South Congress, so make sure you go in! In addition to all the toys, books, magnets and cards, there’s also a section of «Austin» stuff (nice for a traveler, and it wasn’t airport-​gift-​shop-​worthy, if you know what I mean).
Just a cool store with a funky vibe. Go have fun, monkeys!