Categories: Shopping

How to Shop: For Kids

Author: Elizabeth Seymour

Tomboy Togs

A professional parent talks about how she handles buying clothes for her slightly tomboy-ish daughter in this post (click link, then "Expert Advise") at weseed.com! And we give our own take below:

Exclusively Chicago

For those of you who think adults shouldn't be the only stylish ones around, try Psycho Baby (1630 N. Damen Ave.,773-772-2815,), located in the hot and happening Bucktown/Wicker Park. The boutique houses plenty of trendy apparel and shoes for the pint-size crowd. Over on the Gold Coast, Madison & Friends (940 N. Rush St., 312-642-6403) is the brainchild of a couple who sought “hip” clothes for their baby daughter (Madison, naturally). Now, thanks to multiple customers' requests, they carry clothes up to size 14. They also offer The Denim Lounge, with 20 different lines of denim for the entire family. Just down the block you'll find Children in Paradise ( 909 N. Rush St., 312-951-KIDS ), one of the last of the dying breed of independent bookstores. The insightful staff can help you navigate the soaring shelves of books to pick out a new favorite. Software, movies and CDs are also offered. Up in Lincoln Park, LMNOP ( 2574 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-975-4055) specializes in stylish duds, many of them imports, a spacious, stroller-friendly store, and even includes a toddler play space in the back.

Charming Chains

For one-stop shopping, you can't beat the multi-level Gap on the Mag Mile, featuring both GapKids and babyGap (555 N. Michigan Ave., 312-494-8580 ), not to mention men's and women's plus GapBody and GapMaternity. Another all-in-the-family spot is Ralph Lauren (750 N. Michigan Ave., 312-280-1655). Expect to find upscale duds for the wee ones (and yourselves) in the posh atmosphere of this four-story flagship store. Talbots Kids (Chicago Place, 700 N. Michigan Ave., 312-943-0255) is yet one more store that combines children's offerings with adult pieces. The stores carries clothes for both boys and girls, but this location does not carry the line for babies.

Prefer something the kids won't necessarily outgrow in a week? Check out the LEGO Store (520 N.Michigan Ave., 312-494-0760), which stocks LEGO sets galore, plus other LEGO items and souvenirs. The signature red bags from American Girl Place (111 E. Chicago Ave., 877-AG-PLACE) can be spotted throughout the city, as moms and daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters, aunts and nieces, and friends spend the day immersed in the world of the popular dolls and characters. At American Girl Place you can shop, have tea, and watch a live show, all with your doll in tow.

Check out places of interest near How to Shop: For Kids:

Candy World
5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Candy World, much like its name implies, is a one-stop-shop for everything to cure your sweet tooth, from bulk candy purchases of jelly beans, gummy bears, and everything you can think of.

 

Rainforest Cafe
605 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610

Kids love this restaurant. The menu contains a mish-mash of fusion fare, but the real attraction to this scene is the tropical fauna and animals feigning life through mechanistic motions.

American Girl Place
111 East Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

For the little doll in your life, American Girl Place has a whole day catered specifically for her. At American Girl Place, guests can shop the boutique for outfits and accessories for girl and doll, have a spot of tea in the café, and see a live theater performance—all in one extraordinary day.

Bachrach
106 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173

This 130-year-old menswear store places an emphasis on service and relationships. European designs are available in suburban Chicago.

 

Build-A-Bear Workshop
700 East Grand Avenue,, Chicago, IL 60611

Create your own custom teddy bear at this kid-friendly store.

Camelot Children's Kingdom
1155 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60611

Clothing and accessories for infants through size 14.

Club Libby Lu
5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Club Libby Lu pampers your little princess in style, offering make-overs for girls 5-12, birthday parties, and a host of other activities to make your girl feel special.

 

Colletti Gallery
67 E. Oak St. #1E, Chicago, IL 60611

This Oak Street art gallery purveys a strong collection of antique posters and art-accompanying furniture.

Disney Store
717 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

Everything Disney at this Magnificent Mile location. 

 

Haberdash
1350 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610

Schedule a one-on-one fashion experience at this high-end men's fashion shop in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.

 

Hanig's Footwear
660 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Men's and women's shoes in a variety of styles and brands make the multiple locations of this store a must when it comes to looking for shoes in Chicago.

Land of Nod
900 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL 60614

Whimsical home furnishings for your kids.

Madison and Friends
940 N. Rush St., Chicago, IL 60611

Stylish threads for tiny fashion fiends.

Rochester Big & Tall
840 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Premier clothing for the bigger, taller man is available at this iconic Mag Mile shop for those who don't always color inside the lines; they won't shoehorn you in at this shop!

Ruehl
5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Abercrombie up-and-coming brand casual wear designed for college students and young professionals.

 

Saks Fifth Avenue Men's
717 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

This top-notch menswear store calved off from its big sister department store and offers a range of high quality men's products: apparel, shoes, men's jewelry, belts, and more.

Salvatore Ferragamo
645 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Italian shoes, handbags, ready-to-wear clothing and accessories are available at this retail location of a top Italian designer.

Sanrio Store
520 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

The Sanrio Store is Hello Kitty headquarters for kids in Chicago. Not only can you pick up an array of items with the cute kitten adorning each one, but you can meet some of her animal pals, too. From tiny trinkets, stationary, accessories and clothing, the Sanrio Store is guaranteed to create smiles.

SEE Eyewear
835 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Selective Eyewear Elements are the key at SEE, a shop dedicated to original and stylish sunglasses that are celebrity-worthy, but still affordable for anyone. Choose from any of their five locations in the Chicago area.

Spa Space
161 N. Canal St., Chicago, IL 60606

Specialists in massage therapy and skin care, this Chicago spa offers a wide range of services.

The 900 Shops
900 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

A Chicago shopping haven for the most fashion-savvy among us, this 900 Michigan Avenue location houses some of the most elite names in designer goods. With names like Bloomingdale’s, Coach, and Gucci, these stores require serious shoppers. Complete with a fitness center, salon and spa, movie theatre, and a variety of dining options, it is worthy of a visit.

The LEGO Store
520 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Thousands of toys for kids of all ages.>

The Shops at North Bridge
520 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Anchored by Nordstrom, Westfield North Bridge shopping center—conveniently located along the Magnificent Mile—offers a variety of specialty shops. From A/X Armani Exchange and Kenneth Cole to The LEGO® Store and Sephora

Urban Shop Guide
815 W. Dickens Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614

Urban Shop Guide offers guided, customized shopping tours of Chicago’s trendy neighborhoods, providing visitors access to small boutiques and the essence of Chicago shopping.

 

The Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Highway 53, Lisle, IL 60532

A top Chicago nature site, The Morton Arboretum boasts more than 3,000 trees, shrubs, and other vegetation across its 1,700-acre site.