THINGS TO DO

Toy Stores & Designer Toy Retailers

Tattooed Mom – Quirky South Street bar known for supporting toy drops, zines, and art toy pop-ups.
Brave New Worlds – Comics, collectibles, and urban vinyl with frequent toy artist signings.
Atomic City Comics – Retro comics, kaiju, and vintage figures mixed with DIY zine culture.
The Resource Exchange – Eco-arts reuse center; great for toy makers looking for unique parts and inspiration.
South Fellini – Philly pop culture merch and designer collabs with local illustrators and artists.
Mothership Gallery – A fantastic art toy store and gallery in Fishtown. They are big supporters of the toy art scene.
The House of Fun – If you love toys, you must visit this nearby South Jersey destination with over 3000 square feet of vintage & modern, collectibles, action-figures, vinyl, sports cards, comics and more.
Play with This – A great classic toy shop in Merchantville, NJ with modern, vintage and more! This is also the home of the Merchantville Toy Street Fair in September!

Art & Pop Culture Galleries

The Space Lab – Artist-run toy art gallery with rotating exhibits and installations.
James Oliver Gallery – Contemporary art with occasional pop-surrealism and toy art crossovers.
Paradigm Gallery + Studio – Known for pop culture-infused shows, sometimes featuring designer toys and lowbrow artists.
Asian Arts Initiative – Hosts experimental installations and toy-based works by emerging artists.
Philadelphia Magic Gardens – Immerse yourself in mosaics and folk art inspiration for sculptural and 3D toy ideas.

Workshops & Maker Spaces

NextFab – High-end maker space offering 3D printing, laser cutting, and electronics—great for prototyping toys.
Philly Makers Meetup – Network with local creators who make indie games, toys, and DIY gadgets.
The Clay Studio – Sculptural ceramic art programs and classes that can inspire or support toy development.

Markets & Pop-Ups

Designer Toy Art Festival – Indie toy convention featuring global and local designer toy makers, as well as music, food, and entertainment.
Rival Bros Market Events – Check their art-forward markets for toy artists and zine makers.
Punk Rock Flea Market – Huge local favorite featuring handmade goods, including resin toys and retro collectibles.
Art Star Craft Bazaar – Juried indie maker market with designer toy artists, plush creators, and illustrators.

Museums & Exhibits

Please Touch Museum – Vintage toy exhibits and play-based installations offer retro inspiration.
The Franklin Institute – Features traveling pop culture exhibits that sometimes include interactive toy installations.
Philadelphia Museum of Art – For pop-art and surrealism fans, great for historical toy and sculpture inspiration.
Mütter Museum – Not toy-based, but its oddities and displays are a major inspiration for darker toy aesthetics.

Photo Ops & Toy Photography

LOVE Park – Iconic photo spot for taking lifestyle toy shots in front of the famous LOVE sculpture.
Reading Terminal Market – Great location for candid or culinary-themed toy photo shoots.
Graffiti Pier – Urban decay and graffiti makes for epic backdrops for resin and street art-style toy photography.
Cherry Street Pier – Artist studios + waterfront views = ideal for toy artist collabs or toy drops. (Say “Hi” to Kenny and Athena)

Experiences & Events

Wham Bam Puppet Slam – Adult puppetry event that celebrates performance art, often intersecting with toy art culture.
Wizard World / Fan Expo Philly – Pop-culture convention that welcomes designer toys and indie toy booths.
Philadelphia Film Center – Attend cult movie nights or anime events tied to toy and pop art franchises.

Chill Spots for Toy Creators

La Colombe Fishtown – Industrial-chic café perfect for sketching toys or networking with fellow creators.
Crane Arts Building – Home to multiple galleries and events tied to emerging artists in toy, sculpture, and pop-surrealism genres.
Jose Pistola’s – Delicious Mexican food and drink with a Philadelphia twist!