Gifts for kids and teens: Shop small in metro Atlanta

Nobody could accuse Little Shop of Stories with its “Goodnight Moon” reading room, its art gallery and its read floor made of pennies of being minimalist. Contributed by Elizabeth Lenhard
Contributed by Elizabeth Lenhard

Switch things up this gift-giving season and skip the big-box stores to shop local instead. It’s a wonderful way to give back to the community and support small businesses during the holidays. From babies to teens and all ages in between, we’ve gathered a great list of local spots around metro Atlanta to make this season even brighter for your kids.

RELATED: Shop local at these independent toy stores in metro Atlanta

Abbadabba’s

If you’re looking for a great pair of new shoes, stop by an Abbadabba’s store near you. They carry the coolest brands for all ages, from Hoka and Dr. Martens to New Balance, Vans and more. They have three convenient Atlanta-area locations in Little Five Points, Buckhead and East Cobb. One of the best parts about supporting Abbadabba’s is that they give back to the community through various local (and global) programs.

Location: Multiple Locations (Buckhead, Little Five Points, East Cobb); Website: coolshoes.com

Fantasyland Records

Have a budding record collector on your hands? Then visit Fantasyland Records for the best gift you can give. Since 1976, it has been an old-school Atlanta landmark and is one of the best spots in town to sift through vinyl to find just what you’re looking for. With thousands of new and used records, they have an impressive selection of genres, from Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles to Outkast, Harry Styles and everything else in between. You’ll also find magazines, collectibles, posters and stickers.

Location: Buckhead - 360 Pharr Rd. NE, Suite B; Website: fantasylandrecords.com; Contact: 404-237-3193

Glad and Young Studio

Step inside Ponce City Market’s newest shop for the cutest accessories, just in time for the holidays! Glad and Young Studio specializes in handmade colorful leather goods, bags and jewelry, among other items. For the past few years, their studio was nestled inside Citizen Supply, and now they just recently opened their own storefront. With heart-shaped earrings, cute crossbody bags and a tic-tac-toe travel-sized game, you’ll find some of the chicest gifts here.

Location: East Atlanta -  675 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE; Website: gladandyoungstudio.com

CHECK OUT: Gifts for friends, family and more: Shop local in Atlanta this holiday season

High Country Outfitters

It’s hard not to love the outdoors living in Georgia, so if your kids appreciate adventure, check out High Country Outfitters. With multiple locations around Atlanta, they have everything you need for the winter (and every other season), including jackets, beanies, shoes, accessories and clothing from The North Face and Patagonia. Teens love to shop here, and they also have excellent items for smaller kids. View their selection of toys and games as well as their holiday gift guide for kids.

Location: Multiple Locations; Website: highcountryoutfitters.com

Kaboom! Collectibles

Kaboom Collectibles is a terrific spot to buy holiday gifts because of its wide selection of figurines, Pokemon cards, sports cards and nostalgic collectibles. Even the youngest sports fanatics would love their merchandise, with an incredible selection of trading cards and autographed NFL or NBA jerseys. Additionally, they have posters from DC and Marvel, as well as Funko Pops.

Location: North Druid Hills - 2953 N Druid Hills Rd.; Website: kaboom.cards; Contact: 404-855-5513

Little Shop of Stories

With a memorable book from Little Shop of Stories, you can give your children the magical gift of reading. Right off Decatur Square is this locally owned children’s bookshop, and as soon as you walk in, you truly feel a sense of wonder. There are books for toddlers, kids, teens and even grownups too! For the ultimate gift, take a look at their unique collection of signed books or their book subscription programs.

Location: Decatur - 133 E Court Square, Suite A; Website: littleshopofstories.com; Contact: 404-373-6300

Lizards and Lollipopz

Make your way over to Lizards and Lollipopz in Marietta Square if you’ve been looking for a fantastic local toy shop. Your children will enjoy playing with all of their toys, considering their incredible selection. They offer a great mix of STEM games, puzzles, building blocks, LEGOs, craft kits and much more! You’re sure to find some creative gifts for everyone here, from babies to tweens.

Location: Marietta - 33 W Park Square; Website: shopdoodlebugz.square.site; Contact: 678-905-3490

Seed Factory

On the west side, Seed Factory is a delightful spot to find some of the most unique gifts for your younger kids. This cute children’s shop has a wide variety of classic gifts like puzzles, wooden toys, books, games for imaginative play, arts and crafts, clothing (up to age 8), and baby gift sets.

Location: Northeast - 763 Trabert Ave. NW; Website: seedfactoryatlanta.com; Contact: 404-355-2043

Hemline

Small boutiques like Hemline are an ideal place to find some of the best gifts for your teen daughter with their stylish shoes, clothes and accessories. For looks you really can’t find anywhere else, be sure to explore all that they have to offer. You can buy gifts for under $100, like this Serena necklace, gold Betsey Johnson sneakers or this lovely Dora Palm Sun Hat, perfect for their next spring break vacation.

Location: Two Locations (Vinings and Alpharetta); Website: shophemlinevinings.com;

Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United Team Store

Check out the Team Store in Atlantic Station for some of the newest jerseys, t-shirts, and onesies. They’ve got top-notch football and soccer gear to help your kids cheer on Atlanta United and the Falcons. Whether it’s for the football field or the soccer pitch, the Team Store has all your fan favorites.

Location: Midtown - 230 18th St. NW; Website: atlanticstation.com/team-store; Contact: 404-549-3255

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