Kai’Lease Lovett-Smith (left), age 12, and her sister Se’Briyah, age 10, stop to snuggle plushies at Toys & Co. in Greensboro. photograph by Stacey Van Berkel
For 48 years, family-owned Toys & Co. has been a go-to for Guilford County families. Generations of Holcombs have packed the store with walls of stuffed animals, towers of Lego sets, stacks of art kits, and plenty of joy to gift and get. — Ella Klein
Twinkle lights and reindeer add seasonal cheer at this 31-year Twin City institution. photograph by Stacey Van Berkel
Owner Jeff Konczal flips the switch, and the Polar Express and a Cheerwine freight train start to whir around a loop, puffing smoke into his shop. Surrounded by shelves of O-gauge model trains, the Train Loft’s Christmas village in miniature has all the bells and whistles of a tradition carefully kept. — E.K.
Kaylyn Van Camp (left), a mother of five (three of which are pictured) says each Dunlap Love character’s story “encourages emotional health and connection” — and loads of cheer. photograph by Stacey Van Berkel
For Kaylyn Van Camp, a love of whimsical stuffed animals began when she crafted them for her firstborn in 2007. Years later, her daughter was her first employee at Dunlap Love. The company’s clever characters each come with a sweet story — plus an upcycled outfit bound to bring smiles. — E.K.
The Triangle Woodworkers Association hosts frequent workshops and is always looking for helping hands. photograph by Alex Boerner
In 37 years, the Triangle Woodworkers Association has donated just over 80,000 handcrafted toys to the Marines’ Toys for Tots program. Joe Sabo, TWA’s committee chairman, meets with his team year-round to saw and sand airplanes, puzzles, tanks, and more —ensuring there are gifts to go all around. — Rebekah Mann
“The idea of O.P. Taylor’s is to sell toys that require imagination,” says owner John Taylor, who mostly stocks nonelectronic playthings — like those that captivate 8-year-old Wells Robison. photograph by Tim Robison
When John Taylor bought his storefront on Brevard’s South Main Street in 1987, he intended to be a landlord. The young — and young at heart — are grateful he opened a toy shop instead. Today, hands-on fun abounds in every nook of the 6,000-square-foot O.P. Taylor’s, which has added two other locations, too. — R.M.
The museum has a seven-foot dollhouse (left) made by Mary March, as well as the collectible Miss Revlon, Shirley Temple, Little Miss Revlon, Maggie Bessie, and other composition dolls. photograph by Stacey Van Berkel
Meticulously handcrafted dollhouses and thousands of vintage amusements fill the North Carolina Museum of Dolls, Toys, and Miniatures. With a collection that includes the first style of Cabbage Patch doll, a rare Schoenhut Humpty-Dumpty circus, and a sprawling model train, the nonprofit museum is an homage to joyful childhood artifacts. — E.K.
Peer past the festive drawings on this North Main Street shop’s windows and you could spot Santa stopping by to hear a starstruck child’s holiday wish. photograph by Revival Creatives
At 16, Gail Hull Hiatt started working at her father’s tractor dealership in Mount Airy, a business he’d opened in 1956. She noticed that customers often asked about miniature versions of the tractors they loved — and soon their questions sparked an idea. Hiatt has run Mt. Airy Tractor Toyland for 25 years now, and she still enjoys uniting folks with their small-scale farmyard favorites. — R.M.
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Original and replica Tryon Toy Makers crafts are on view and for sale in Tryon. Young workers, pictured in 1917, were trained to carve and paint toys and figurines. A popular set was the Mountain Home group, with a family, animals, and cabin. photograph by Tim Robison; Historical Photo from John C. Campbell Folk School Fain Archives
Celebrate 110 years of Tryon Toy Makers, the artisans whose handcrafted wooden creations became cherished collectibles. Founders Eleanor Vance and Charlotte Yale taught Tryon locals the art of toy making, earning admiration far and wide for their toys’ charm and design. — R.M.
The Tryon Horse, a big hit for the Tryon Toy Makers, premiered in the December 1917 issue of St. Nicholas magazine. As the horse’s design evolved, so did its popularity. Beginning in 1928, its larger-than-life appearance in the Tryon Horse Show Parade solidified its status as a mascot not only for the Toy Makers but also the town. Today, the company’s work is found on South Trade Street in downtown Tryon. — R.M.
A young girl eyes Mast General’s selection of toys, many of which also delighted generations past. photograph by David Uttley
Inside Mast General Store in the High Country, twinkling lights cast a warm glow on wooden displays filled with timeless treasures — Sock Monkeys, Slinkys, rag dolls, and more. What began in Valle Crucis in the late 1800s now satisfies shoppers across our state’s six locations, each filled with that original mountain charm. — R.M.
This story was published on Nov 24, 2025
In busy workshops and bright stores, our state’s toymakers and purveyors keep wonder alive. Dolls, trains, and games remind us: The joy of play never grows old.
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Among dazzling lanterns, silk creatures, and twinkling lights at the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, one little boy leads his parents straight to the heart of the holidays.
Sparkling streets, local traditions, and the cozy charm of a city wrapped in holiday wonder — Asheville offers merriment for every age of visitor.
