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Handmade Gifts for the Family

Velocitoddler

This online-only store, which started as a shoe store, has branched out
into making sweet, handcrafted, gender-neutral kids clothes. The owners of Velocitoddler are a husband-and-wife team that felt a creative online space to shop without a “girls” or “boys” section was what Albuquerque and the world needed. Their products are made from 100 percent organic cotton and feature awesome designs like cuttlefish and sloths on their jammies. Shop their shoes, clothes and gift cards at velocitoddler.com.

Color Wheel Toys

This place is like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory for kids. With so many unique gifts for kids of all ages, this pop-up seasonal shop is now centrally located in the Nob Hill Shopping Center. It’s only open from October through January of every year, although the owners hope to be open year-round after the pandemic. The store carries arts and crafts, puzzles galore, scientific exploration toys and magic trick supplies. They even offer free gift wrapping. Shop the online store for curbside pick up this year at color-wheel-toys.myshopify.com/

113 Carlisle Blvd SE 

Octopus and Fox

Just east of Downtown, nestled in a cute little red brick space, is The Octopus and Fox. It features handmade, local and ethically crafted gifts and trinkets for pretty much anyone in your life. The store touts itself as being an artist-owned handcraft concept store. For the kids on your list, there are the cutest handmade tree ornaments, handcrafted jewelry, lip balms and hand-knitted baby clothes. The store offers curbside pick up Tue. through Sat., noon to 5pm and online ordering. 

514 Central Ave SE

NatureWorks Discovery Store

Although the Natural History Museum has been closed since the spring, the museum store has been open to online visitors and scheduled appointments. Now, they are encouraging folks to just buy online and get it delivered. This store has some of the coolest science-based projects like a Naturalist Notebook or glow-in-the-dark moon stickers or dinosaur puzzles. All proceeds help support the museum when they finally open back up to the public. Shop at nmmnhfnatureworks.square.site/.

Inside NM Natural History Museum

Explora Children’s Museum

Easily the coolest museum for kids in the state, Explora has had to close their doors to the public due to the current health order. The online shop is open for the holidays, though. There you can peruse really cool activities and science kits. You can find really affordable gifts like 3D bookmarks and touchable bubbles for $2—or dig into pricier gifts like a full chemistry set for $150. The store offers curbside pick up and home delivery at esccma.explora.us/GiftShop.aspx. [ ]