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FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 8 YEARS
Stuffed animals and cuddle toys are universally loved by children for their soothing qualities.
From small cuddly creatures to life-size stuffed animals, they're a friendly presence for when children need it most. Stuffed animals are great for play, but they also help stimulate children's imaginations, ease separation anxiety and support their social skills.
It's been shown that cuddling simulates the attention we received way back as a baby, making us feel secure and lowering stress levels. Many toys will be made of extremely soft material to contribute to a soothing experience and make them perfect for play and bedtime.
No matter how much they care for them, being so close to kids whilst they play means it's inevitable that their stuffed animal friend gets a little mucky. Many soft toys are suitable for the washing machine, but before washing be sure to check the care instructions. If you decide to wash them in the washing machine, use a gentle cycle and a mild detergent that you know won't upset your child's skin.
Many stuffed animals brands have high quality and cuddly materials perfect for young kids. If you're looking for the softest animal possible, keep an eye out for those made from synthetic fibres like plush, or cotton which is very cuddly and durable. More high end toys will be made from luxurious materials and may make more of a statement in your home. Some even come with lights and sounds to help stimulate learning and development skills.
You may want to choose a toy that will be comforting, or your priority may be something more eco-conscious. Or perhaps you're looking for a toy for a unicorn fan or a dinosaur lover. Whatever your priorities, our guide has the top animal and cuddly toys currently available to make your search stress-free.
For more cute kids' products , take a look at our guides to the best gender neutral toys for kids and the best unicorn onesies for a magical bedtime.
Jellycat toys are one of the top stuffed animal brands thanks to their range of adorable animal soft toys. We love this classic puppy with its cute expression and cuddly body. Suitable for newborns upwards, this is an animal that they will hold on to for a lifetime.
The story of Elmer the elephant goes way back, inspiring children for over 25 years. Now kids can expand their imaginations as the lovely patchwork Elmer accompanies their own adventures. His colourful fabric will look great in any bedroom, too.
For an eco-friendly toy that won't cost the Earth, this baby lamb is an adorable option. She is modelled on Barbara the Lamb, one of the Night Guardian characters who protect children whilst they sleep. It's fair trade, hand-knitted material is soft and huggable, whilst she comes with a neck ribbon and recycled gift box. Looking for an eco-friendly gift? You can add your chosen name to the neck ribbon for a unique and personalised present.
Miffy has been specifically designed to accompany adventures in cars and prams without falling over, making her the ideal companion for busy under fives. Her corduroy material will encourage children to be tactile whilst her bright yellow colour will be visually stimulating for them. Her contemporary design means she would also look lovely sitting up in any room of your home.
For sleepy almost-teenagers that want something to help them relax at home, a Tempur pillow bear is the answer. Like their popular mattresses, the Tempur material is super-soft and huggable and can even be folded into a bear or laid flat like a pillow. Warning: they may not want to move when they get near this bear!
A bestselling favourite, this four-foot tall giraffe is a statement toy like no other. Its original features include life-like details, wire frame and a long neck for hugs on tip-toes. It will make a statement in any child's bedroom and we are sure that kids will love its huge size and realistic face.
Know any humans that need a cuddle? Sloths are notoriously funny creatures, and this giant sloth is sure to cheer up any grumpy moods with a hug. It has three size options to suit a variety of heights and his extra fluffy material will have kids smiling in no time.
This popular unicorn stuffed toy is large enough for big hugs and perfect for pink-lovers. It has soft fur, velvet hooves and a glittery horn to add some magic to any little girl's bedroom. We think it is one of the most magical soft toys around!
For the dinosaur lover in your life, this giant toy is based on the real T-Rex shape with green fur and white teeth for all the 'roar!' with none of the bite. Your little one will have hours of fun imagining their own prehistoric adventure with this dinosaur.
Kidadl Best Buys selects the top parent-recommended products across the web for families of all ages. If you liked our suggestions for the best cuddly toys, then why not take a look at our guide to the top diverse baby diverse baby dolls for kids and toddlers, or our guide to the best slime kits for kids.
Georgia is originally from Essex but moved to Switzerland as a child, attending an international school and igniting her love for experiencing the world and its cultures. She later moved back to the UK to study French with Film Studies at King’s College London. She took a break to enjoy a patisserie-filled year abroad in Paris. Shortly after graduating, she started as an intern at Kidadl in a small team of five, progressing with the company as it grew, to where she sits now as Digital Content Manager. Since returning to the UK permanently, she has been known to take ideas from Kidadl for things to see and do close to home and make the most of London’s incredible travel connections to explore further afield.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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September 06, 2021
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