12 Places to Shop in Toronto for Kids

You can spend your dollars in big box and on big brands, but these local stores and designers prove there's no need to stray from the city to score great gifts this season.

Whistle Kids (up by Lawrence and Avenue) is the exclusive Canadian stockist for Australia's Old Soles shoes (think gold hi-tops). These shoes are built to last longer than an epic scooter ride and bring a smile to our fashion-forward offspring, so all is good. There's also a fun assortment of designer clothes brands (like Hudson Jeans) in case a splurge is in order.

Shopping at Heel Boy's new Distillery District location is fun for the whole family (ok, mostly for us) with a range of adult and kids' footwear. We can pick up a new pair of versatile suede booties while our tykes try on all the spring and summer footwear they need for a season of outdoor fun and indoor play.

Kids love any chance to play dress up. That's why Playjamas are such a great idea for kids who might need a little...umm…incentive…to get ready for bed. From ballerina to doctor, to ninja warrior, these organic cotton jammies will get them into bed. We can't promise the sleeping part.

With a collection this extensive, why go for global brands? Toronto store Mini Mioche carries the hippest kids' wear around, with its 100% organic cotton in-house line designed by a local mom and made in Canada (and many imported must-have accessories, too).

Matooka, the pretty Toronto-manufactured line of swell dresses for little girls, is designed by two Toronto mothers (and former Bay Street lawyers) who keep an eye out for the little details.

We don't just love the modern and spunky designs of this Toronto line, we love that they pay more for the fabrics to be formulated here by skilled sewers.

Simply sweet and all-natural toys, artwork, clothing and paper products make up the treasures from this TO-based, well-designed line of adorable items.

Made in Canada by a mom may sound like a familiar theme, but there's nothing ordinary about the exquisitely created (in Toronto) clothing and accessory collection by Patouche.

Flipping out over finding a unique toy or other sort of treasure for your (or someone else's) tot? Fidoodle, a Toronto design firm, has a small but fabulous line of original playthings perfect for little guys or girls.

Known around the world but run right out of our own backyard, this adorable shop that ships worldwide is a home-grown success story selling beautiful big (and little) dollhouses and their tiny accessories.

One day we'll have all the time in the world to stroll into store after store, finding fabulous gifts for everyone. Thankfully, until then there is Shopcaster, which offers us a way to shop for items at our favourite local and independent stores. You'll find items from faves like Hello Sunshine, Atomic Toybot, Sweetpea's, Scooter Girl Toys and Scout.

This boutique lifestyle store in Rosedale continues to catch our eye every time we pass by its stunning window displays. And then one day we walked in and fell in love with their adorable clothes—and more—for newborns to 6-year-olds, too. So next time you catch yourself looking in their window, go in, their ode to Alice will certainly have you (and your wee one) wanting to come back time and time again.