Children are a fact of life, even in the city. Maybe friends of yours have announced their big news, or you are the lucky one expecting a little bundle of your own. Or maybe you’re like me and expecting your second baby and suddenly martini bars aren’t nearly as interesting as double strollers.

It happens. And it’s a great excuse to check out some toys!

This time around, I’m going straight to one of my favorite toy stores in town. Magic Beans, owned by the husband-and-wife team of Eli and Sheri Gurock, is hands down the best place I’ve found to buy strollers. Did you know that they let you take their strollers out for test drives? Yes! You can take the strollers you’ve spent hours researching online out in the real world - down the bumpy sidewalks of Coolidge Corner and into the narrow aisles of a pharmacy. Or you can see what it’s like to navigate a coffee shop with that SUV of a stroller you’ve been considering (can you handle it?). In fact, when I was test-driving strollers they even told me where I could find a particularly treacherous patch of sidewalk so I could test for myself if air-filled tires make a difference. If you are still overwhelmed by the sheer variety of strollers available, they have stroller matchmakers that will patiently answer all your questions. No more guessing!

In addition to their stroller service, Magic Beans has a great selection of toys - from classics to unexpected imports - and all the baby gear you could want. Diaper bags, nursing equipment, trucks, dolls and puzzles all share space in this busy store. It’s a colorful childhood fantasy come to life.

TIP: They have a blog! Spilling The Beans is a fun mix of information on the latest toys and views on issues that affect new parents.

Magic Beans
312 Harvard Street
Brookline
617-264-BEAN