Children's Shopping: Toys, Clothes & Books

Shopping with kids on Nantucket is one of those unexpected pleasures that transforms a family vacation into something truly memorable. While the island is known for its upscale boutiques and adult-oriented galleries, Nantucket also offers a delightful collection of stores dedicated to children - from beloved toy shops to charming clothing boutiques and bookstores with extensive children's sections. Whether you are looking for beach essentials, a special outfit for a family dinner, educational toys, or the perfect book for quiet time at the cottage, you will find it all within walking distance on the cobblestone streets of downtown.

Every child deserves a special toy from their Nantucket adventure, and the island offers several excellent options for finding that perfect treasure. Unlike the mass-market toy stores you might find on the mainland, Nantucket's toy offerings emphasize quality, imagination, and a connection to the island's maritime heritage.

Murray's Toggery Toys

Tucked inside the legendary Murray's Toggery Shop at 62 Main Street, you will discover a carefully curated toy section that delights children of all ages. While Murray's is famous for its iconic Nantucket Reds, the store has quietly become a destination for quality children's toys and games.

The toy selection at Murray's reflects the store's overall aesthetic - classic, timeless, and built to last. You will find:

• Traditional wooden toys and puzzles
• Quality board games for family game night
• Stuffed animals and plush toys
• Educational science and nature kits
• Beach-themed toys and sand play sets
• Classic outdoor games like kites and lawn games

What makes Murray's special is the thoughtful curation. Each toy has been selected not just for entertainment value but for quality and longevity. These are the kinds of toys that become treasured keepsakes, pulled out summer after summer during return visits to the island.

Nantucket Bookworks Toy Section

Beyond its impressive book collection, Nantucket Bookworks at 25 Broad Street maintains a wonderful selection of toys, puzzles, and games that complement their literary focus. Here you will find educational toys, science kits, art supplies, and imaginative play items that encourage creativity and learning.

Beach Toys and Summer Essentials

For sand castle building supplies, boogie boards, and all the beach gear kids need, several downtown stores stock summer essentials. The Sunken Ship on Broad Street is a reliable source for affordable beach toys alongside their famous souvenir selection. You can also find beach buckets, shovels, and water toys at Island Variety, which stocks a practical selection of children's summer needs.

Nantucket children have a certain look - preppy, polished, but still ready for adventure. Whether you need something for a nice dinner out or casual beach-to-town wear, the island's children's clothing stores offer quality pieces that mix classic New England style with practical island living.

Peachtree Kids

Peachtree Kids on Main Street is Nantucket's beloved destination for children's clothing, and for good reason. This charming boutique has been dressing island children since 2004, when fourth-generation Nantucketer Stephany Goldsmith Hunter opened its doors. In 2024, ownership passed to Cara Marquis, a local graphic and clothing designer who has maintained the store's commitment to quality and timeless style.

Peachtree Kids offers a carefully curated selection for infants through size 14, covering everything from everyday play clothes to special occasion outfits. The store specializes in:

• Classic children's clothing from beloved brands
• Swim and beachwear for island adventures
• Quality shoes and sandals
• Accessories including hats, hair accessories, and bags
• Special occasion dresses and outfits
• Newborn and infant layettes

What sets Peachtree Kids apart is the personal service and expert eye for what works on the island. The staff understands that Nantucket children need clothes that can transition from beach to boat to restaurant, and they stock accordingly. Parents appreciate the quality - these are pieces that hold up through a busy summer and can be passed down to siblings.

Expect to pay premium prices at Peachtree Kids, but the quality justifies the investment. A summer dress runs $60-100, shorts and tops $35-60, and swimwear $45-75. Shoes range from $50-80 depending on style.

Murray's Toggery for Kids

Murray's Toggery Shop also carries children's sizes of their famous Nantucket Reds - the iconic salmon-colored pants and shorts that fade beautifully over time. Matching your children in Reds creates those classic family photos that become vacation treasures. Kids' shorts run $45-55, and pants are $55-65.

The Sunken Ship for Affordable Options

If you need affordable Nantucket-themed t-shirts and sweatshirts for kids, The Sunken Ship on Broad Street offers an extensive selection at reasonable prices. Kids' t-shirts start around $18-25, and sweatshirts run $35-50. This is the perfect place for souvenir clothing that kids can wear all summer and into the school year.

Nantucket takes children's literacy seriously, and the island's independent bookstores reflect this commitment with extensive, thoughtfully curated children's sections. Both of Nantucket's beloved bookshops - operated together as Nantucket Book Partners - offer wonderful options for young readers.

Nantucket Bookworks

Nantucket Bookworks at 25 Broad Street is the island's "funky little shop" that has been serving readers since 1972. The store features an extensive children's room that draws families throughout their Nantucket visit. Here you will find:

• Board books for babies and toddlers
• Picture books featuring Nantucket and ocean themes
• Early readers and chapter books
• Middle grade novels
• Young adult fiction
• Nantucket-themed children's books
• Activity books, coloring books, and journals

The children's room at Nantucket Bookworks is designed to be explored. Kids are encouraged to sit, browse, and discover new favorites. The staff is knowledgeable about children's literature and happy to make age-appropriate recommendations.

Summer hours extend to 10pm daily, making it perfect for an after-dinner family stroll downtown. Let the kids pick out a new book while parents browse the Nantucket section or fiction shelves.

Mitchell's Book Corner

Mitchell's Book Corner at 54 Main Street serves as the sister store to Nantucket Bookworks and offers its own charming selection. The store features a unique nautical elevator that kids find delightful, leading to a cozy upstairs reading room. Mitchell's specializes in signed books by local authors, and their Nantucket section includes children's titles about the island's history and wildlife.

Must-Buy Children's Books About Nantucket

Both bookstores stock children's books specifically about Nantucket, making perfect souvenirs that you will read again and again at home. Look for:

• Picture books about lighthouses and whaling history
• Stories featuring Nantucket beaches and wildlife
• Local author titles signed for your collection
• Activity books about the island's nature and history

Beyond toys and clothes, Nantucket offers wonderful souvenir options that children treasure long after the vacation ends. Here are the most popular picks for young visitors:

Classic Nantucket Souvenirs Kids Love

• Nantucket t-shirts and sweatshirts: The Sunken Ship offers the best selection at family-friendly prices. Kids love picking their own design.
• Mini Nantucket Lightship Baskets: The NHA Museum Shop at the Whaling Museum sells child-sized versions of this iconic craft, plus lightship basket Christmas ornaments.
• Shark teeth and shells: Found at various gift shops, these connect kids to the island's natural wonders.
• Stuffed whales and sea creatures: Available at the museum shop and bookstores, these plush toys remind kids of Nantucket's whaling heritage.
• ACK stickers and patches: Affordable items that kids can put on water bottles, notebooks, or luggage.
• Postcards to send to friends: Let kids pick and mail their own postcards from the downtown post office.

Educational Souvenirs

The NHA Museum Shop at 11 Broad Street (inside the Whaling Museum) offers educational items that extend learning beyond the museum visit:

• Nantucket history books for young readers
• Whale and marine life educational materials
• Scrimshaw-making kits (using modern materials)
• Maritime craft kits
• Nature guides to Nantucket wildlife

Special Splurges

For a truly memorable keepsake, consider these special items:

• Kids' Nantucket Reds: From Murray's Toggery, these fade beautifully over years of summer wear
• Quality wooden toys: Traditional toys that become heirlooms
• Personalized children's jewelry: Several island jewelers create child-friendly pieces with Nantucket themes

Nantucket shopping runs the gamut from affordable souvenirs to investment-quality pieces. Here is what to expect:

Budget-Friendly Options ($5-30)

• Stickers and patches: $3-8
• Postcards: $1-3
• Small beach toys: $5-15
• Souvenir t-shirts: $18-28
• Paperback books: $8-15
• Coloring and activity books: $10-18

Mid-Range Purchases ($30-75)

• Quality hardcover children's books: $18-30
• Kids' sweatshirts: $35-55
• Board games and puzzles: $25-45
• Stuffed animals: $20-45
• Beach sets and toys: $25-50
• Children's Nantucket Reds shorts: $45-55

Premium Items ($75+)

• Quality children's clothing from Peachtree Kids: $60-120
• Children's shoes: $50-80
• Special occasion outfits: $80-150
• Heirloom-quality toys: $75-150
• Complete beach outfit ensemble: $150-250

After years of watching families shop, certain items emerge as consistent kid favorites. Here is what children actually ask for and treasure:

For Younger Kids (Ages 2-6)

• Stuffed whales and sea animals from the museum shop
• Beach toys, especially sand castle molds shaped like lighthouses
• Picture books about the ocean and island animals
• Nantucket-themed t-shirts they pick themselves
• Small wooden toys and puzzles

For Middle Kids (Ages 7-10)

• Shark teeth and shell collections
• Chapter books and adventure stories
• Kites for flying at the beach
• ACK hoodies and sweatshirts
• Science kits about marine life
• Postcards to send to friends

For Tweens and Teens (Ages 11+)

• Young adult novels from the bookstores
• Nantucket Reds (the ultimate status symbol)
• ACK stickers and patches for personalizing
• Journals and sketchbooks
• Quality beach gear like towels and bags

Making the most of kids' shopping on Nantucket requires a bit of strategy:

Timing Your Shopping

• Morning: Best for clothing shopping when kids are fresh and patient
• After lunch: Good for bookstore browsing during the heat of the day
• Late afternoon: Quick souvenir runs when energy is flagging
• Evening: Nantucket Bookworks is open until 10pm - perfect for after-dinner strolls

Budget Strategies

• Give kids a set souvenir budget at the start of the trip
• Visit The Sunken Ship for affordable t-shirts and small souvenirs
• Balance one quality item with several small treasures
• Consider books as meaningful, reasonably priced keepsakes
• Beach toys serve double duty as entertainment and souvenirs

Avoiding Meltdowns

• Let kids explore toy sections at their own pace
• Plan clothing shopping for earlier in the day
• Bring snacks for longer shopping excursions
• Break up shopping with ice cream stops
• Let kids have input on what they want to bring home

All the major children's shopping destinations are within easy walking distance in downtown Nantucket:

Main Street

• Peachtree Kids - Children's clothing boutique
• Murray's Toggery Shop - Toys and kids' Nantucket Reds (62 Main Street)
• Mitchell's Book Corner - Books and the famous nautical elevator (54 Main Street)

Broad Street

• Nantucket Bookworks - Extensive children's room (25 Broad Street)
• The Sunken Ship - Affordable souvenirs and t-shirts
• NHA Museum Shop - Educational items and Nantucket keepsakes (11 Broad Street)

Around Town

• Island Variety - Beach toys and practical items