Runnin' Wild Kids

Runnin' Wild Kids on Court Street is Carroll Gardens' neighborhood staple for children's shoes, toys, and more — the kind of local shop Brooklyn families genuinely rely on. Opened in 2012 by husband-and-wife team Anthony and Stacey Fauci, it was born out of a real neighborhood need: there was simply nowhere nearby to get kids properly fitted for shoes.

The sit-and-fit philosophy is the whole point here. Trained staff measure kids' feet and walk you through options rather than leaving you to fend for yourself in a sea of boxes. The shoe selection runs from crib shoes and first walkers all the way through tween sizes, with brands like Nike, Stride Rite, See Kai Run, Naturino, Skechers, Geox, Merrell, Keen, Birkenstock, Sorel, and many more — including harder-to-find European labels.

But shoes are only half the story. The store has evolved into a full-service kids' destination, stocking toys, sports equipment, scooters, party supplies, and books. They'll also sharpen your kid's ice skates and inflate balloons — genuinely useful in a neighborhood full of active families. On-site kids' haircuts are available select days of the week.

The store is on Court Street, which means you're right in the thick of Carroll Gardens' best coffee shops and restaurants — easy to make a day of it.