Panda House Toys & Puppets

Panda House Toys & Puppets on Granville Island is a specialty shop that stands out even in a neighborhood full of unique stores. The focus here is puppets — hundreds of them, in every style from simple finger puppets to detailed marionettes and full hand puppets. You'll find animals, fantasy creatures, storybook characters, and everything in between.

Kids are free to try puppets on and play with them, which turns the shopping experience into a mini puppet show. The store keeps display puppets at kid height, so even toddlers can reach up and grab one. Parents with kids in the 3-7 range will get the most mileage here, though older kids who are into theater or storytelling also love it.

Beyond puppets, the store carries a small selection of toys, games, and plush animals. But puppets are the real draw and the reason to visit. The quality ranges from affordable finger puppets for a few dollars to high-end marionettes that cost more.

The store is inside the Granville Island complex at 1496 Cartwright Street, near the Kids Market and other family-friendly shops. Public restrooms with changing tables are in the nearby Public Market building. Parking on Granville Island fills up fast on weekends, so plan accordingly or take the Aquabus.