Toys, Games, Plushies, Puzzles, Kids' Books, and all kinds of

Thingamabaubles 

In a world where “new” too often means louder screens, faster feeds, and less imagination, Thingamabaubles in downtown Nappanee feels like a small, welcome reset button.

It’s the kind of place you notice before you even step inside—warm, inviting, and unmistakably built with kids in mind. And that’s not an accident. Founder and owners Scott and Alysia Boehner are exactly the type of folks you might expect to own and operate a toy store like Thingamabaubles. Scott is the first to tell you he’s still a kid at heart. That simple truth is more than a fun tagline; it’s the spark behind a toy store that’s clearly been created by someone who remembers what play is supposed to feel like: curious, creative, and genuinely joyful.

Scott, featured above (clowning around), says, "We're a family-owned and operated toy store... and we absolutely love toys (and anything else that powers playtime)! As parents, we have come to appreciate and value the brands and products that encourage imagination and strengthen creativity. Everything in our toy store is selected by us with lots of love!" You can see that what he says is true after visiting the small but cool store. It's filled with a great selection of toys, books, puzzles, games, and more, all of which feel carefully chosen just for this cool store.

“Let the child be the scriptwriter, the director and the actor in his own play." 
— Magda Gerber 

A Toy Store Built For Imagination

The very first time you step into Thingamabaubles, you’ll realize this isn’t a “grab-and-go” toy aisle. It’s the kind of place where kids slow down and start exploring—because everything invites them to do something. The store is almost as friendly and interesting as Scott is himself. He (and the store atmosphere) make you want to just hang out and dream, wander, and discover.

You’ll find shelves stocked with plushies that become instant favorites, puzzles that turn rainy days into family challenges, and games that pull everyone back to the table—laughing, competing, learning, and making memories. There are kids’ books that encourage bedtime reading again, and arts-and-crafts kits and supplies that give kids the chance to build, color, glue, paint, invent, and create something they’re proud of.

It’s the kind of store where a kid can spend an hour just wandering—discovering new ideas, new characters, and new hobbies. And for parents, it’s a relief to walk into a place where the options feel wholesome, thoughtful, and age-appropriate.

““We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.” ” 
— Stacia Tauscher 

Why Places Like Thingamabaubles Are Good for Kids

There’s a reason “classic” toys have lasted across generations. Hands-on play builds real skills—and it does it in a way kids actually enjoy. Puzzles and brain games encourage patience, problem-solving, and focus. Creative toys and crafts strengthen fine motor skills and spark confidence (“I made this!”). Reading and story-based play build vocabulary, imagination, and emotional understanding. Board games and group play teach taking turns, teamwork, sportsmanship, and social skills. These aren’t just items on a shelf. They’re tools for childhood—helping kids learn how to think, create, communicate, and enjoy time away from a screen.

“Children are our most valuable resource.” 
— Herbert Hoover, 31st president of the United States 

Why It’s Good For The Community, Too

Thingamabaubles isn’t just a toy store. It’s part of what makes a town feel like a town. When a local shop like this thrives, it brings energy to downtown, encourages families to shop local, and creates a place where neighbors bump into each other, chat for a minute, and feel more connected. It also means gifts are more meaningful—picked with intention, often with advice from someone who truly knows the products and genuinely cares about the kids they’re for. And maybe most importantly: it takes a certain kind of person to open a small business in the heart of town and pour themselves into it. Scott didn’t build Thingamabaubles as a big-box operation. He built it as a community corner—a place where kids can still be kids, where imagination is protected, and where “good, clean fun” isn’t just nostalgia… it’s the mission.

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken adults.”
— F. Douglas 

Small Business, For Small People... And Good For Everyone

At ZZZippy, we love shining a light on businesses like this because they’re the heartbeat of small towns: kind-hearted citizens creating something positive—right where their neighbors live. Thingamabaubles is a reminder that childhood should still include wonder, creativity, and play that lasts longer than a battery charge. So if you’re in or near Nappanee, do yourself a favor: stop in. Bring a kid. Or don’t—because if you’re honest, you’ll probably find something that makes you feel like a kid again, too.

Thingamabaubles — downtown Nappanee.
Good, clean fun. The way play was meant to be.

“A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires.”  
— Paulo Coelho 

One of the surprises at Thingamabaubles is the selection (both quantity and quality) you have. You would never know it from the curb, but it is comfortably packed with all types of FUN! There really is something for everybody, and adult visitors feel like kids all over again.

Thingamabaubles
108 S Main St, Suite A, Nappanee, IN
574.773.8480
thingamabaubles.com

Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat: 10 am - 5 pm
Wed: 10 am - 4 pm
Sun & Mon: closed
Every weekday afternoon (except Wednesday), the store closes from 3:30 pm - 3:45 pm