If you’re looking for children’s gifts and toys, you won’t have any trouble finding them on the Outer Banks. Sure, we have super stores like Walmart and Target, but better yet are the fabulous, locally owned stores where the goods are hand-selected by people who know about the latest toys and what kids like. When you shop in these stores, you’ll find special, unique toys along with all the popular trends, and you’ll get personalized assistance to help you find just the right toys for any age child. Plus, you’ll know that you are supporting a local business owner and the Outer Banks economy.
Below you’ll find a list of suggestions on where to find toys, but this is not every place to look. Click here for a complete list of Outer Banks shops that sell toys. And check out the local holiday markets for handmade toys and children’s gifts.
Photo: The Reindeer in Here book and plush toy gift set from Kitty Hawk Kites.
Kites are super-fun toys, and Kitty Hawk Kites has a ton of them, for beginner and expert fliers. But when it comes to the fun stuff, they sell more than kites. This is a great place to go for puzzles, board games, outdoor games, educational and STEM toys, sensory toys, arts and crafts supplies, plush toys, novelties, gag gifts and more. Some of their top sellers are Barbie, Waboba, Hot Wheels and plushies and squishables. They have a helpful online holiday gift guide online. They hae locations in Corolla, Duck, Nags Head, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke.
ToyRiffic
ToyRiffic is a local toy store in Duck. They have a great selection of remote control toys, puzzles, board games, educational toys and more. You’ll find them at Scarborough Lane Shops in Duck.
Super Galactic Games & Comics
If you’re looking for board games, card games, trading cards, video games and comics, this is the place to find them. Popular right now are MetaZoo, Warhammer, Pokemon and more. You’ll find them in Kitty Hawk at Southern Shores Crossing, 3809 N. Croatan Highway.
OBX Toys & Engraving
This eclectic toy store in Nags Head sells popular toys like Melissa & Doug, Laser Pegs, Asmodee, puzzles, fidgets of every sort and more. This is also the home of Create-a-Critter, similar to the Build-a-Bear concept in which kids make their own stuffed animals (gift certificates would be good for this). If you're looking for Dartball and the Catan game, you'll find them here. Look for this shop at Surfside Plaza, 4104 S. Virginia Dare Trail, in Nags Head.
Photo: Roc-A-Bye Baby in Nags Head has tons of toys and gifts for the littlest kids.
Rock-A-Bye Baby
Rock-A-Bye Baby is a longtime favorite children’s store on the Outer Banks. It’s a children’s consignment store, children’s equipment rental store and gift and top shop all in one. They sell apparel, decor, baby equipment and lots of top-brand toys for babies and young children. Popular sellers are iLYBEAN, Nuby, Sophie La Giraffe, Melissa & Doug, oogiebear and so many more. Look for them in Nags Head at 4711 S. Croatan Highway.
Sam & Winston
Sam & Winston is a fine gift shop selling home decor, art, books, garden supplies, jewelry and more. Their book and toy section is full of swoon-worthy items that will make you wish you were a kid again. You’ll find tons of Jellycat plushies, Maileg toys and precious books you won’t find anywhere else. Sam & Winston is 108 Sir Walter Raleigh Street in Manteo.
Photo: Hatteras Island Toy Store's big selection of toys makes it worth a trip to Buxton.
Hatteras Island Toy Store
This is a big toy store, worth the trip to Buxton even if you don’t live on Hatteras Island. They have all kinds of games, puzzles and toys. Popular items selling this year are train sets, stickers, books and the ever-favorite Melissa & Doug toys. You’ll find them in Buxton at 46926 N.C. Highway 12; look for the purple building.
Surf Shops
For outdoor toys, check the local surf shops for surfboards, skimboards, boogie boards, skateboards and wetsuits. See a list here.
Attractions and Museum Gift Shops
Remember that nearly every museum and attraction has a gift shop with gifts related to the attractions. North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, Jennette’s Pier, Frisco Native American Museum, Roanoke Island Festival Park, Corolla Wild Horse Fund and the National Wildlife Refuges Gateway Visitors Center are great places to find kids’ gifts and support a great cause. Click here to see where our local attractions are found.
Photo: Books to Be Red in Ocracoke sells games for all ages.
Bookstores
Downtown Books in Manteo, Duck’s Cottage in Duck, Island Bookstore locations in Corolla, Duck and Kitty Hawk, and Buxton Village Books in Buxton are great places to find books, and in some cases games and puzzles, for kids. Books to Be Red in Ocracoke has kids' books plus a wealth of art supplies, games, puzzles and toys. See a list of local bookstores here.
Souvenir Shops
Shops that locals might normally think of as strictly for visitors can be great places to find toys. Souvenir shops like Wings, Super Wings, Forbes Candies, Ben Franklin, Pirates Chest and more have tons of fun toys. Floats, swimming accessories, balls, outdoor games and novelties of every sort can be found in these stores. Click here for some ideas of places to look.
Want to Donate Toys?
If you want to share some toy love with local children, Toys for Tots is still accepting toy donations and monetary donations. The last collection date for toys is Monday, December 11, so don't delay. You can see drop-off locations here.
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
