5 Cool Kids’ Stores in Vancouver

Ready or not, most kids will need new gear for the start of the season. That's why we thought you should know about these five cool kids' stores in Vancouver.

eio! is a great children's store, taking centre stage in the much improved Cambie Village, brought to us by the same savvy folks who started www.beautymark.ca. This store is filled with tons of great essentials and gift ideas for babies and toddlers.

Puddlegear is the only North American distributor of European-made Abeko, PVC and phthalate free rain gear. Puddlegear's rainwear is made of atek, a polyurethane-coated stretch fabric, which is a very light, soft, tear-resistant material that allows a full range of motion, but is also free of harmful chemicals. The Abeko line is also durable, breathable, waterproof and great looking. Puddlegear offers certified rain gear up to 130 cm (which is good for ages 7 to 9), and at $59.95 for a standard rain jacket, the prices are reasonable.

On the North Shore, Tartooful, a fun gift and art boutique has a new home in Edgemont Village. Cathy Church, the store owner, loves to find original work from emerging artists, and her current selection includes local designers Sock Love, Astrosatchel and Mally Bibs. This is one store on the list where you might find something for yourself, too!

In Kerrisdale, our scouts were happy to discover that Nestings Kids has found a new home on West 41st Ave. This high-end baby and children's furniture and accessory store's new open-concept space feels much larger, and they are now carrying a selection of clothing from local designer Peekaboo Beans.

These fab umbrellas from Cheeky Umbrella offer our kids that extra bit of protection for days when you really need them to stay dry. Jen Zurowski, Cheeky Umbrella's founder, has us covered (pun intended). Her umbrellas are highly visible, with white backgrounds, brightly-coloured designs, and reflective trim. Their fiberglass ribs and aluminum shaft make them lightweight, the rounded hook handle makes it easy for little hands to carry (or hang off a backpack), and rounded plastic tips mean that they are safe, too.