Best Hobby Shops In Chicago

Instead of complaining that the weather is frightful — after all, this is Chicago — find something fun to do inside. If you need suggestions on how to beat winter doldrums, check out a hobby shop for ideas. Chicago has several stores lined with model kits, different gauge train sets, paints, drawing books and craft tools that will be great remedies to cabin fever. The places listed here have excellent staff (think patient and knowledgeable).

Chicagoland Toys & Hobbies
6017 N. Northwest Highway
Chicago, IL 60631
(773) 775-4848
www.chicagolandtoysandhobbies.com

A long-time family owned hobby shop, Greg Bosak has been working with customers since the 1970s and took over the store from his dad, Richard, who retired in 1993. The shop has toys and the usual hobby supplies, but this is a good place to go to pick up or add to a train layout, particularly N,O or OH gauge track sizes. It also has a terrific selection of remote control cars, trucks, planes and even "quadcopters" products and parts.

Forever Timeless Hobby Shop
4438 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 545-6959
www.facebook.com/Forever-Timeless

The store is a perfect choice if thinking about making plastic models of cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats or Star Wars, super heroes and horror figures.The shop has a particularly large selection of Johnny Lightning die-cast cars. In business since 1999 and in the current location since 2005, Forever Timeless Hobby Shop also carries HO and N gauge model trains, toys and craft items.

American Science & Surplus
5316 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 763-0313
www.sciplus.com

As the name seems to imply, the store probably would have what is needed for a science project. However, this is the place to go to be enthralled by possibilities not even considered. Look here for something different. The store has the Da Vinci Catapult Kit, a UB kit which has items that start clear and change colors, a kit that uses sunlight to create an image on something, arts and crafts kits, stones and other items for jewelry making, science kits and chemistry sets. It also has tools for current hobbies and art endeavors such as a soldering iron that is safer to use than typical ones. Come here just for the fun of it and if you're ready for an adventure without a predetermined concept.

Related:  Five Practical Holiday Gifts You Can Make At Home

America's Best Train, Toy & Hobby Shop
865 Maplewood Drive
Itasca, IL 60143
(630) 467-1102
www.americasbesttrain.com

Train enthusiasts will find products for every track gauge here and lots of items to add when doing a scenic build-out. The store also repairs Lionel trains no matter the age. Other specialties include model race cars, from-scratch building materials and animal collections. However, hobbies cover a wide range of activities, so America's Best Train, Toy and Hobby Shop also carries puzzles, science sets, paints and glues, model kits and rockets.

Lakeview Art Supply
3228 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 296-6696
www.lakeviewart.net

Lots of folks like to doodle or talk about a fun art class taken when they were a child, but then get to busy with life to follow up later. But winter is a perfect time to pick up some art materials and just have fun with them. By the way, art isn't just an adult hobby; Lakeview Art Supply has kits for kids. Check out the store's books and talk to the staff for help deciding which art genre best appeals to your creative instincts.

Related:  Best Toy Stores In Chicago

Jodie Jacobs is a veteran journalist who loves writing about Chicago, art, theater, museums and travel. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.