Dinosaur Hill

Profile

A tiny East Village toy store with old-school charm, Dinosaur Hill focuses more on character than commercialism with its beautifully made toys meant to last. Marionettes from owner Pamela Pier’s trips to India and Indonesia dangle from the ceiling above retro playthings like Fiddlestix, Slinkys, and yo-yos. More contemporary toys, like Ugly Dolls and a Chuck Close art flipbook, make great gifts for the edgy Lower Manhattan tot. For slightly older kids, a Magritte Rubix Cube, beading kits, and pre-decorated papier-mâché masks will be the hit of the birthday party. Silver tea services and charm bracelets will thrill tiny hostesses, while plastic trucks and small wooden horses are sure to please the more rough-and-tumble set. For the littlest ones, there are handmade infant clothes with hippie undertones, wooden baby rattles, and a variety of alphabet blocks in different languages, including Hebrew and Braille. — Katie Hintz