4 Local, ethical children's stores we love
This holiday season, go for more creativity and less plastic by shopping at these local stores for kids.
The Silly Sprout
Whether it’s for your own child, grandchild, a niece or nephew, or some other youth you may have been emotionally manipulated into getting a holiday gift for, shopping for kids locally and conscientiously can be challenging.
Thankfully, there are a number of great small, independent children’s stores in the RI region that provide gifts that are better for child development and more fun than most of the stuff at the big box stores. They make for a much more pleasant shopping experience, too.
Here are four shops, one in each county of our region, that will make you feel like you’re giving something impactful to the kids you love this holiday season.
The Bee's Knees, Hudson, N.Y.
“We want to stimulate creativity and allow children to be children, get them away from screens, and give them things they can touch,” said Amanda Hummel, owner of The Bee's Knees.
Celebrating nine years in business this month, the store has become a staple for children’s gifts in Hudson. Warren Street, with its antique shops, galleries and high-end restaurants, doesn’t have a lot to offer visiting youngsters. The Bee's Knees can feel like an oasis for kids. The toys and childcare items have been thoughtfully curated, while the clothing selection is mostly for infants and is almost all made from organic fabrics. Hummel focuses on stocking environmentally responsible toys that stimulate lasting creative play. There are no batteries or pretend weapons to be found here.
“It’s really hard to have a small independent store,” Hummel said. “So we really appreciate the support of our community. When you shop here you’re not just supporting a local store, you’re supporting a family. We are so thankful for that and do our best to give back.”
The Gifted Child, Lenox and Great Barrington, Mass.
The Gifted Child started selling quality toys, games and clothing out of a pushcart in the West Stockbridge marketplace in 1981. Now they have stores in Great Barrington and Lenox. And the Lenox location has a sales barn, too.
“We like to have things that last and grow with a child,” said Sally Underwood-Miller at The Gifted Child. “We have mind-expanding games and learning toys — stuff that’s built to last and become timeless touchstones.”
Little Pickles, Red Hook, N.Y.
"Pretend play is big for us,” said owner Rebecca Rothstein. “We want kids to be creative and have old-fashioned fun.”
Little Pickles is a toy shop and a traditional-feeling candy shop. They also have lots of books, a room of high-quality children’s clothing, and host events and playgroups. Rothstein has a master's in early childhood education and used to teach. Her professional background adds a rich intentionality to the playful atmosphere at the shop.
Rothstein says she doesn’t think children should see Santa before Christmas, so Little Pickles has been hosting events with Mrs. Claus. She said keeping Santa out of sight keeps the magic alive. But kids can visit Little Pickles and write a wish list to Santa of items in the store they love. Rothstein makes two copies, one to keep in the store for family members to use for inspiration and one to send to the North Pole.
Rothstein, whose husband’s family is Jewish, puts extra effort into the shop's Hanukkah items, as well. Along with the toys and candy are traditional gelt and Hanukkah-specific books and gifts. She said it’s important to her that the shop, especially during the holidays, feels welcoming to everyone.
She also feels an obligation to be more environmentally conscious. “I think a lot of my customers want to move away from plastic as much as possible,” she said. “I’m happy and proud to be offering more and more environmentally conscious toys and packaging.”
The Silly Sprout, Litchfield, Conn.
Located right in the center of Litchfield, the Silly Sprout is the only independent children’s shop in the county. Mother of two Jessica Dell’aera saw the need and opened the store in 2015. The following year she expanded and opened The Studio, a creative art space that hosts artistic play events and activities.
“This year, new for us is a big selection of Legos,” said store manager Sara Barwikowski, “but we really pride ourselves on our collection of educational and wooden toys. And we always do complimentary gift wrapping, which people really seem to appreciate.”
Barwikowski made a point to let last-minute shoppers know the shop will be open until 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Patronizing these and the few other children-centric small businesses in our community, like Sapling and Land of Oz in Rhinebeck and Tom’s Toys in Great Barrington, not only leads to more impactful, longer-lasting gifts, but keeps more money in our local communities.
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