The Toy Maven

Spring in Dallas sure beats spring in Chicago so I would have preferred to spent our entire long weekend there outdoors, but if it was up to my children they would have opted for every spare moment at The Toy Maven.
I myself was impressed to see that The Toy Maven had all of my children’s absolute favorite toys– everything from Thomas the train, Calico Critters, all sorts of Star Wars toys, arts & crafts galore and so on. My 5 and 3 yr olds went around the store picking out their bday gifts for the next 89 years. I didn’t have the heart to tell them they’d be over toys in the next 3 – 5 years unless of course they take after their dad who still has an impressive collection of Star Wars toys. He too was impressed w/​The Toy Maven.
While toy shopping is always fun, you can actually play there too. My Thomas obsessed boy was in heaven w/​their 2 impressive train tables (one Brio and the other Thomas). He was having train table withdrawl while visiting his grandparents so felt right at home here. Perhaps he felt a bit too much at home since he refused to share the toys and our last trip there ended w/​us carrying out a tantruming 3 yr old. Something tells me not the first (or last) tantrum to be thrown at The Toy Maven. My 5 yr old girl was happy w/​the calico critter table and a giant bean bag chair in front of the books where she happily read and looked at toys.
A quick comparison found that the toys here are a bit more expensive than what you’ll find at the nearby Toys R Us or online on amazon, but to be expected at any local toy store. And the experience (tantrum or not) of shopping at this lovely store is worth a bit more.

I just got back from The Toy Maven. Looked online for a toy store that was not one of the big box stores like Toys-​R-​Us, Walmart, Target, etc., and The Toy Maven was the first store listed. After reading some reviews, I made the twenty minute motorcycle ride from work to the store and went in. They had exactly what I was looking for, which was stuff that isn’t in every big box store. Browsed for awhile and then Nick helped me with suggestions. He turned me over to the cashier and, as she was ringing up my purchases, two young ladies were wrapping my gifts in paper and plastic bags with ribbons. Everything tucked neatly into my motorcycle trunk and I was on my way back to work. Great first experience!

Very nice toy store with good selection. That being said, buying a toy truck for my grandson ($ 130 and not our first purchase there) was asking just too much of their rude clerk, Veronica. My request to make sure the toy truck’s lights and siren worked properly before leaving the store must have been just too burdensome for her. The store was also understaffed. (This marvelous encounter with Veronica came after waiting in line for 10 minutes while she gift wrapped a previous customer’s purchases. Other clerks to assist were nowhere to be found.)

This is an awesome store! So many good toys — without the junk that you find at the big box retailers. Classic toys. Educational toys. Good book selection. Friendly and personable staff too.
Best thing? They will wrap the presents for you! :)

This is a fantastic toy store! I love bringing my toddler here because there is usually an unboxed sample of each toy on the shelves so kiddos can play with what they are drawn too. It can sometimes be difficult buying a kid toys because I think one looks really awesome and he looks at it like «meh.» Then he goes and plays with an empty water bottle for an hour. The store is very clean and obviously kid friendly. My guy loves to play with the train set they have out so now that he has liked it a few visits in a row of course, now we have a train set too. They also have a wide variety of toys for every kind of kid. Top notch!

Great service great prices. Will be back next time I visit north Dallas for sure.

A great local mom & pop toy store with a strong selection of more «upscale» toys, but not in a snooty kind of way. Great educational and instructional toys as well as fun stuff you wouldn’t necessarily find in a Toys R Us.
The customer service is great, the people running this store are very nice. You’re greeted and checked-​on as you walk around, but they’re not obnoxious and trying to push stuff on you. I asked for some recommendations on games with different types of dice and they were very friendly and knowledgable about the products.
Fun place to browse around and look for toys, no matter how old you are!

Our family loves, loves, loves this store. Huge selection & inventory of the world’s best toys…& wow, there are some excellent toys being made these days. Products span newborn to adult — books, puzzles, wonderful dolls and stuffed animals for all ages. Impressive & unique toys and gifts for infants and toddlers. Also great activity toys for energetic kids of all ages. They are always getting in new stuff that you don’t necessarily see at other stores. Staff is excellent at advising customers searcing for a gift that is sure to bring joy to the recipient. Complimentary gift wrapping, convenient location and parking.

I know what you’re saying. «Omigod! Puzzle Zoo is the best toy store ever!» but you, my friend, are so wrong! My suggestion to you is that the next time you’re thinking about going to Puzzle Zoo, instead head a little further down the road to The Toy Maven at Preston and Royal. Sure, its not as well organized and it really doesn’t have any ironic little action figures or Teddy Ruxbin collectibles; but that’s because it’s not some hipster novelty shop aimed at Millenials suffering from nostalgia. No, this is a real toy store.
It’s chaotic, a little cramped, and unabashedly childish. Exactly what a toy store should be.
I would make a list of highlights but they really have a bit of everything here: Books, science kits, puzzles, craft kits, bath toys, and a huge wall of board games. And the staff was very nice and seemed eager to help, even though we were 3 grown men with no kids manhandling coloring books and finger puppets. Now that’s customer service!
I highly recommend you check it out for yourself.

The Toy Maven is a truly a life saver! Here’s what you need to know if you ever have to buy a gift for an elementary school student:
1. They love Japanese erasers
2. They cannot get enough Japanese erasers
3. Japanese erasers give oh-​so-​important status to a child
4. The Toy Maven has a little stand full of Japanese erasers!!! Score!!!
They are a great birthday gift– get some eraser penguins or sushi and the gift will be a huge hit!
Other great things about the Toy Maven:
1. The staff is incredibly helpful and friendly
2. They gift wrap and are really nice about it
3. They have a program for frequent purchases
4. They have a great selection of really cute specialty toys as well as the… umm… erasers I’m obsessed with
Come! It’s so cute!

Great locally owned toy store. They offer free wrapping The owner knows her customers and stocks toys to meet their needs. It even won the Dallas observer’s top toy store in its first year last year.