From the freshest threads to the best play spaces, your kiddos can get the best gear, learn valuable life skills and have tons of fun at these top Chicago-area businesses.
Best Kids Clothing (City)
Monica & Andy
2052 N Halsted St., Lincoln Park
Kiddos outgrown everything in their closet? This Chicago favorite has the coolest clothes for babies, kids and tweens.
Best Kids Clothing (Suburbs)
Maya Papaya & Tony Macarony
1901 Central St., Evanston
This is a place where you will find cool clothes for girls and boys from size infant up to 12, plus a nice selection of toys, books, and gifts.
Best Toy Store (City)
Timeless Toys
4749 N Lincoln Ave.
Timeless Toys Ltd. was established in 1993 and offers a creative selection of toys, puzzles and games for all ages.
Best Toy Store (Suburbs)
Children’s Gift Shop
Northfield Village Center, 310 Happ Rd #128, Northfield
Playing in Northfield for 30 years, they offer the best in Toys and Gifts for Babies to Boomers. They believe in the Power of Play with their collection chosen from trusted vendors with the highest standards. Their mission is to “provide a launchpad to ignite the imagination and a sense of wonder in all children, so they can discover themselves, their passion, and their purpose.”
Best Kids Haircut
Kidsnips
Various locations
Make your child’s haircut experience fun with a visit to this salon featuring video games and car-shaped cutting chairs.
Best Kids/Family Photographer (City)
Michele V. Wagner Photography
1359 W. Barry Ave.
Michele is a natural-light, lifestyle photographer and has been capturing Chicago’s newborns, children and families for over 10 years. She absolutely adores documenting the beautiful chaos of life with kids.
Best Kids/Family Photographer (Suburbs)
Nicole Thomas Photography
1942 Lehigh Ave., Ste D, Glenview
Celebrating 20 years of business, Nicole Thomas Photography specializes in family photography, professional headshots, and actor and model subjects. Many of their clients return every year making their photo session an annual tradition. With fine attention to detail, their team ensures every photo session and the resulting images exceed client expectations.
Best Swim School
Goldfish Swim School
Various Locations
State-of-the-art aquatic swimming facilities that are dedicated to indoor swim classes and programs for children, ages 4 months and up. From Jump Start Clinics to their competitive team known as Swim Force, they are committed to helping your child develop important life skills.
Best Indoor Playspace
Little Beans Café
430 Asbury Ave., Evanston
Little Beans Cafe is a family cafe and activity center. They offer drop-in play, parties, preschool, gymnastics, other classes, events, camps, and more. The cafe serves specialty coffee drinks and good food.
Best Day Camp
Apachi Day Camp
300 Revere Dr., Northbrook
Apachi’s top priority is creating an environment where every camper feels safe and supported as they form friendships and navigate relationships, gain independence, build confidence and find joy in each day at camp. Campers discover new interests and develop new skills through a wide variety of activities including rock climbing, performing arts, team sports, yoga, STEM, arts and crafts, swimming, and everything in-between.
Best Overnight Camp
Camp Chi
300 Revere Dr., Northbrook
For nearly 100 years, JCC Chicago’s Camp Chi has transformed children’s summers. Campers in 2nd-11th grade come here to unplug from their daily lives and experience life-changing, memorable moments. And long after the last s’more, the best of Camp Chi stays with them.
