Table of Contents:

Local Maternity and Baby Boutique

Top Five

  • Hollyhocks Children’s Boutique
  • Little Wolf Boutique
  • Pitter Patter Children’s Boutique
  • Real Baby
  • The mama ’hood

The Winner

Real Baby

The selection found at Real Baby is hand-picked by parents looking for items that are stylish, yet affordable and practical. You’ll find unique shower gifts, organic cotton clothing and eco-friendly items, as well as books and toys. Store staff is knowledgeable, and can also guide you through choosing items for a baby registry. 4315 Tennyson St., Denver


Birthday Parties

Top Five

  • Royal Parties of Colorado
  • Spider Monkey Extreme Air Sports
  • The Urban Farm at Stapleton
  • Tiger Kim’s Academy
  • Wands and Wishes Occasions

The Winner

Royal Parties of Colorado

Superior customer service—from the initial reservation to the character visit on your child’s big day—sets Royal Parties of Colorado apart. Different party offerings are available to suit various budgets, from a one-princess or one-superhero 30 minute visit, to larger party packages with multiple characters, games, and dancing. You never pay per child—always by time and number of characters.


family photography Anna Phillips
Anna Phillips Photography captures the personalities of kids and families in casual settings. Photo courtesy Anna Phillips Photography

Family or Child Photographer

Top Five

  • Anna Phillips Photography
  • Brooke Austin Photo
  • From the Hip Photo
  • Little Nest Portraits
  • Skipping Rocks Photography

The Winner

Anna Phillips Photography

Anna Phillips knows that preparing kids for a photo session can be stressful, and she loves to let the children she photographs feel like they are just playing—not posing. She’s skilled at capturing the love families have for one another, as well as each person’s unique personality, in fun, natural surroundings.


Local Toy Store

Top Five

  • Beyond the Blackboard
  • Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe
  • Jake’s Toy Box
  • Second Star to the Right Books
  • Timbuk Toys

The Winner

Timbuk Toys

Timbuk Toys makes it easy to shop local with four locations, great toy advice, and online ordering that allows you to shop by age or toy type, with in-store pickup. In addition to a wide selection of quality, unique toys that encourage creative play, they offer Songs for Seeds classes and Story Playtime classes with storyteller Mr. Paul. Four metro Denver locations


Children’s Resale Clothing Shop or Event

Top Five

  • Back on the Rack
  • Childish Things
  • Just Between Friends
  • Kid to Kid
  • Once Upon a Child

The Winner

Kid to Kid

Kid to Kid is choosy about quality when it comes to the used children’s clothing they stock, which makes for a large selection of good-condition and name-brand secondhand items in the store. Shoppers love that certain name brands are displayed separately. They sell maternity clothes and some new items, for which customers can use their store credit. Four metro Denver locations

This article was originally published in December 2024.
Lydia Rueger

Lydia Rueger is an Arvada-based freelance writer, mom, and author.