Forgot the kid gift? Terminal 1’s FAO Schwarz bails you out.
This FAO Schwarz sits post-security in Terminal 1, on the B concourse, and runs as a compact toy shop stocked almost entirely with FAO-branded plush, puzzles, and small gadgets. Think carry-on-sized teddy bears, keychain trinkets, and under-10-minute decisions between flights. It’s the recognizable New York toy brand, without the downtown Chicago detour.
Inventory leans heavy on plush animals and logo items under about $40, with a few larger sets that creep past $60. A Yelp review calls it “small but packed,” which tracks: the footprint is tight, shelves go vertical, and there’s not much room for strollers. Selection skews younger kids—toddler through roughly age 9—so don’t expect many teen-friendly tech toys.
Pricing is the main complaint: several reviewers point out that many FAO items cost noticeably more here than at Target or on Amazon, sometimes by $5–$15 per toy. You’re paying the airport markup and the brand name in one hit. Watch out for big plush or boxed sets; those are the most inflated and the hardest to fit under an airplane seat.
Parents on r/chicago say they sometimes pre-plan one “guilt gift” from this shop after monthly work trips, but they buy bigger presents in the city instead. Regulars gravitate to small plush under $25 and blind-bag trinkets under $10 that travel well and don’t trigger extra carry-on drama. Quick tip: snap a photo of the price tag and compare it to Amazon on your phone before you commit at the register.