Top 5 Things To Get You Into the Christmas Spirit in TBAY (A guide to feeling festive ASAP)
Amanda Bay
December 16, 2025
Christmas is somehow two weeks away (seriously, how??) and if you’re still scrambling to find the perfect gifts for the kids in your life, you can stop stressing. Forget the boring basics, this guide is packed full of gifs ideas that help kids discover new passions, unlock their imagination, and will actually get used long after the holidays are over (We love a gift with longevity). They are also guaranteed to make you the cool grownup this year!
Three Local Stores You Need to Visit
If you grew up in Thunder Bay, you already know, Toy Sense is THE toy store. It also has one of the cutest origin stories ever. Back in 2002, the original owner planned to open an auto-tool store… until his young son, asked if it was going to be a toy store. Not wanting to disappoint him, added a few toys to the shelves (just as Thunder Bay’s last toy shop closed). That tiny toy section grew into one row, then several rows, and today Toy Sense is a full 4,500 square-foot wonderland with a huge warehouse to match. (Now you know why the toy store and auto shop exist in the same space! One of TBay’s greatest mysteries, solved).
Now back to the gifts… the Toy Sense board game selection alone is worth the trip. They also have a bunch of mini-games that make perfect stocking stuffers too, plus new toddler friendly hits from Peaceable Kingdom like Monkey Around and Alphabet Soup, which encourage kids to work together and actually have fun (bonus: they won’t be on their screens!)
When staff at Toy Sense help families pick gifts, they always recommend looking for toys that focus on “what the child can do, not what the toy does”. The best toys let kids tell the story, build their own world, and use their imagination.
The Playmobil section is always a fan favourite. The City Life School Bus and the Airplane are constantly being test-driven on their play table by curious little hands. And if you’ve got a builder on your list, you cannot miss the LEGO wall. It’s stacked with everything from Duplo to Botanical, Creator, Technic and beyond. Truly a LEGO lover’s dream!
And of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without an army of festive stuffies. Toy Sense has gingerbread men, snowmen, holiday bears, and so many cuddly little friends ready to go under the tree.
Ungalli Collective on Cumberland Street is the perfect spot if you’re shopping for kids who love fun, quirky, and thoughtful gifts, or if you’re trying to be the cool aunt/uncle/friend this year. The shop has a whole lineup of kid friendly treasures, and everything has that sustainable, feel good Ungalli touch.
One of the most popular picks? Their wooden slingshots with felt balls…festive, safe, and guaranteed to become the new favourite toy without the “you’ll shoot your eye out, kid!” risk. They also carry the NWO gummy tackle box, filled with gummy worms you probably won’t catch a fish with, but 10/10 delicious.
Their Magic Elf Dust is the kind of gift kids lose their minds over! Sprinkle it into the bathtub along with their mini bath bombs like Moose Poop and Unicorn Poop and watch the magic happen. They’ve also got soap-making kits, train whistles, and the cutest lineup of Ungalli TBAY branded kids hoodies that you can grab with a matching tee. Remember, every Ungalli tee is made from recycled and organic materials and saves 10 plastic bottles from the landfill, plus water, energy, and emissions. Good for the planet, great for gifting.
Books make the best gifts, and even more so when they’re written by local authors. Entershine’s kids’ section is always cozy and curated, but this year there are a few titles that definitely deserve a spot in someone’s stocking.
The shop is especially excited about the recent release of The Midnight Market by Ewan McCartney, their youngest author ever at just 12 years old. Ewan has been visiting the shop since they opened and has been talking about this story for nearly a year. Now it’s finally in print, set right here in Centennial Park. According to the store, Ewan loves drawing snails chasing blobs (please don’t ask), and already has book number two in progress.
Another great pick is Steve McKeown’s Animal Trades series, created by a local electrician who wanted to explain his job to his kids and inspire young readers to love the skilled trades. His newest book, Bear the Carpenter, joins Lion the Electrician, which Entershine also carries in French.
If you’re looking for something lyrical and educational, The Quiet Hunt by award-winning Thunder Bay author Jean E. Pendziwol explores foraging, environmental stewardship, and connecting with the land the way our ancestors did. It’s her newest book and is beautifully written and a lovely way to inspire kids to explore the world around them. She has several other children’s books, all worth checking out.
Experience Gifts (AKA: Win for Kids, Win for Parents)
Now the only thing better than unwrapping a toy? Unwrapping something to look forward to. And let’s be honest, parents LOVE when gifts come with activities for the new year. Experience gifts give kids something to look forward to after the holiday whirlwind settles, and they create memories the whole family gets to share.
Here are some of the best kid approved experiences (gift card ideas) in Thunder Bay:
The Paramount (Formerly Maple Tops)
Located inside a historic theatre, The Paramount is basically a kid’s dreamland. It’s a massive indoor adventure space packed with a three-storey tree fort play structure for ages 5 to 12, a toddler zone for the littles, a climbing wall, tons of slides, and arcade games. They also host themed events and serve kid-approved food like pizza, making it the ideal winter break hangout.
If you’ve got a budding performer on your list, inspire them with tickets to see other kids take the stage. This year, the Badanai Young Company is bringing Rock of Ages to their brand new theatre this January, complete with huge rock anthems, big hair, and all the dramatic flair. It’s high energy, hilarious, and a great way for kids to see what’s possible when youth take the stage.
Cinema 5 is so much more than just a skatepark. It’s a youth community hub built around creativity, confidence, and inclusivity. Since opening in December 2022, it’s become a go to spot for kids who want to skateboard, build new skills, and find community.
Their Winter Break Camps are especially popular. Kids ages 6 to 12 can learn new tricks from certified instructors, build confidence, and spend full days in an environment that’s positive, supportive, and super fun. All skill levels are welcome. The 10 Skate Punch Pass is also an easy gift if you don’t want to commit to a camp. You’ll find all the skate gear you need for purchase at the Cumberland St N location, including boards, helmets and accessories.
Located in the Bay & Algoma district, The Hive is a cozy “paint your own pottery” studio where kids (and adults!) can get creative. You can walk right in, pick a piece, and start painting. Finished pottery often takes 2 to 3 weeks to fire, which kids love as it extends the excitement. They also carry take-home craft kits like felting and soapstone carving, perfect for quieter winter days.
Thunder Bay has no shortage of incredible, meaningful, and downright fun gift ideas for kids this year. These picks spark imagination, smiles, creativity, and maybe even a new favourite hobby. Happy shopping!
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Website developed by Firedog Communications.
CEDC © 2025. All rights reserved.