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The Best Stuffed Animals for Babies and Toddlers

Your kiddo will soon be inseparable from these cute, cuddly stuffed animals and plush toys.
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By Martina Garvey, E-Commerce Editor
Updated November 8, 2023
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Image: Cuddle + Kind
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Cute stuffed animals make perfect playtime companions and offer little kids comfort when they’re working through some big feelings, which is why babies and toddlers adore them. New parents will soon find themselves sharing their home with a whole menagerie of the cutest stuffed animals—but that doesn’t mean you should give baby any old toy. The best stuffed animals for babies and toddlers are cute, huggably soft and well made to safely withstand endless play. There are also safety elements to consider, depending on your child’s age.

Whether you’re shopping for a baby shower gift, looking for a first birthday present or nabbing a special something for an older child, here you’ll find the cutest stuffed animals for newborns, babies and toddlers, as well as tips for choosing safe options.

When Can a Baby Sleep With a Stuffed Animal?

Babies shouldn’t sleep with stuffed animals or plush toys in their cribs until they’re at least 12 months old. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), soft objects—such as plush toys, loose bedding and pillows—should be kept out of baby’s sleep area to reduce the risk of overheating, suffocation, strangulation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Tips for Choosing a Safe Stuffed Animal for Babies and Toddlers

  • The best stuffed animals aren’t just utterly adorable; they’re also reliably safe. Here are the main toy safety considerations to keep in mind when shopping for cute stuffed animals:
  • Check toys for loose parts. Plush toys with plastic eyes and long strings or ribbons can pose a choking hazard for young children, per the AAP. When possible, opt for stuffed animals with embroidered or heat-sealed eyes, and check to make sure that there are no loose parts before giving the toy to baby. It’s also important to check toys for loose parts or general wear and tear on a regular basis.
  • Invest in stuffed animals that are well made. Quality toys will withstand even the most rambunctious toddler games. Look for stuffed animals that are machine-washable, and check that the seams and edges are tight so no stuffing comes loose during play.
  • Choose stuffed animals that are appropriate for your child’s age. Always read the brand’s age guidelines to ensure that the toy is suitable for your child’s developmental stage.

Best Stuffed Animals for Newborns

A plush toy is the perfect present to welcome a new baby into the family. From super snuggly bunnies to soothing sensory toys, these are our picks for the best stuffed animals for infants. And, because safety is so important, all of the toys in this category have embroidered features to reduce the risk of choking.

Plush giraffe

Baby's Little G Dot Plush Giraffe
Image: Saks Fifth Avenue
Buying Options
Saks Fifth Avenue|$48
What We Love
  • Two color options
  • Embroidered features
  • Soft feel and a cuddly body
Things To Consider
  • High price point

Little Giraffe is a brand known for its oh-so-soft offerings, from baby blankets to cute stuffed animals—and this giraffe stuffie is no exception. It comes in two muted color variations and is made from a super-soft material, making it an all around sweet stuffed animal your newborn will love snuggling up with.

Age rating: 0+ months

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Plush lovey

What We Love
  • Machine-washable
  • Embroidered features
  • Super-soft
Things To Consider
  • Blanket is small in size

Loveys work double duty as a security blanket and a cuddly toy. This option from the incredibly popular brand Jellycat features a playful pup hugging the edge and is the perfect size for newborns to clutch on to. Not a dog person? No worries—this plushie is available in a few different styles including a snuggly bunny and magical unicorn.

Age rating: 0+ months

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Soothing seahorse toy

Fisher-Price Musical Baby Toy, Soothe & Glow Seahorse
Image: Amazon
What We Love
  • Emits a soft light
  • Plays 5 minutes of music
  • Machine-washable (with electronics removed)
Things To Consider
  • Batteries required
  • Hard plastic tummy

Some of the best stuffed animals for newborns feature interactive elements that engage the five senses. Case in point: This soothing seahorse by Fisher-Price. The plush toy emits a soft glow from its tummy and plays a variety of comforting lullabies and ocean sounds. Plus, it’s the perfect size for little hands to grasp.

Age rating: 0+ months

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Hand-knit lamb stuffed animal

Avery the lamb
Image: Cuddle + Kind
What We Love
  • Cute characters
  • High-stitch count
  • Made in Peru using Fair Trade practices
Things To Consider
  • High price point

Searching for an heirloom-quality stuffed animal? Look no further than cuddle + kind. Made by Peruvian artisans, these handmade toys are crafted from cotton yarn and stuffed with a hypoallergenic fill. There’s tons of sweet characters to choose from, but we adore Avery the Lamb who comes complete with striped overalls. Each doll is available in two sizes—20 inches or 13 inches—making them great sibling gifts too. The best part? This is a brand that gives back: For every doll sold cuddle + kind provides 10 meals to children in North America and around the world.

Age rating: 0+ months

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Panda projector

Douglas Baby Panda Starlight Musical Plush Stuffed Animal
Image: Amazon
What We Love
  • Star projector and music
  • Embroidered eyes
  • Auto shut-off
Things To Consider
  • Batteries required
  • Spot clean only

Not only is this toy from Douglas soft and cuddly, but it projects a captivating display of the night sky and plays soothing lullabies. After five minutes of continuous play, the music will fade, allowing your little one to peacefully drift off to sleep. (Just remember not to place the toy inside baby’s crib!)

Age rating: 0+ months

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Sausage dog rattle

Sausage Dog Baby Rattle
Image: Meri Meri
What We Love
  • Stitched features
  • Soft rattle sound
  • Made from organic cotton
Things To Consider
  • Expensive for a rattle toy

This sausage dog, sporting a colorful striped sweater, is one of the cutest stuffed animals we’ve seen. Crafted from organic cotton, it’s decorated with delicate embroidery for safety, and also doubles as a rattle, making it a good choice for newborns and older babies alike. Bonus: Meri Meri has a few sweet rattles on offer, including a banana, monkey and an elf that’s perfect for baby’s first Christmas stocking.

Age rating: 0+ months

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Octopus stuffed animal

What We Love
  • Super-soft
  • Embroidered features
  • Tentacles are easy to grip
Things To Consider
  • Hand-wash only

This plush octopus has eight floppy tentacles that babies will love to grasp and play with. Hello, fine motor skills! Plus, it’s super soft and cute to boot. Available in small, medium, large and extra-large sizes.

Age rating: 0+ months

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Floppy stuffed animal

Douglas Baby Bunny Sshlumpie Plush Stuffed Animal
Image: Amazon
Buying Options
Amazon|$23.95
What We Love
  • Features several textures
  • Embroidered features
  • Machine-washable
Things To Consider
  • Belly can get stained
  • Won’t sit upright on its own

Half blanket, half stuffed animal, this floppy bunny will be baby’s new BFF. Understuffed and ultra soft, it can be laid flat on the floor for tummy time or squished up for comforting cuddles. And thanks to its embroidered features, it’s a super-safe option. Better yet, it’s lightweight and small enough for little hands to clutch when they embark on new adventures.

Age rating: 0+ months

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Best Stuffed Animals for Babies

As baby grows older and gains new fine motor skills, they begin to explore the world—including the toys—around them with their hands and mouths. From classic teddy bears to cuddly rattle toys and more, these are our top picks for the best stuffed animals for babies under 12 months.

Classic teddy bear

Steiff Soft Cuddly Friends My First Teddy Bear
Image: Amazon
What We Love
  • Soft plush material
  • Quality craftsmanship
  • Machine-washable
Things To Consider
  • Check that button in ear is secure

Steiff invented the Teddy Bear in 1902, and has continued to make top-tier stuffed animals ever since. Hand-crafted by talented artisans, this sweet bear is made using super-soft fabrics and has stitched features for safety. Better yet, this plush toy is certified as free of harmful substances by an independent testing organization. It comes in pink, blue and classic beige and even has the words “my first Steiff” embroidered on its paw. How cute is that?

Age rating: 0+ months

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Musical stuffed elephant

GUND Baby Animated Flappy The Elephant Plush
Image: Amazon
What We Love
  • Sits upright on its own
  • Plays peekaboo and music
  • Embroidered features
Things To Consider
  • Batteries required

Around the seven month mark, baby begins to copy sounds and gestures. This interactive plush toy supports this developmental milestone while also keeping baby entertained. The musical toy has two fun play modes—press the left foot to play a game of peek-a-boo and the right to hear the tune “Do Your Ears Hang Low” in a sing-song voice. How fun!

Age rating: 0+ months

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Textured plush toy

Baby GUND Tinkle Crinkle Caterpillar Sensory Stimulating Plush Toy
Image: Barnes and Noble
What We Love
  • Machine-washable
  • Crinkle textures
  • Embroidered features
Things To Consider
  • Some parents said it was smaller than they had expected

Different sounds and textures are endlessly fascinating to babies, and this plush caterpillar is full of them. Each soft section includes a fun surprise: From a tinkle chime in the tail to a rattle hidden inside its smiling face—and plenty more inbetween. It’s huggable, soft and makes for a perfect tummy time toy.

Age rating: 0+ months

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Two-in-one stuffed animal

Lambs & Ivy Jungle Friends Plush Lion with Bird Stuffed Animal Toy
Image: Walmart
What We Love
  • Multiple textures
  • Included bird toy
  • Embroidered features
Things To Consider
  • Fur needs fluffing over time

The best stuffed animals for babies are snuggly, sweet and practical—and that’s where this playful lion plush toy comes in. It’s got no hard parts, is machine-washable and sits upright, meaning it won’t topple over during playtime. Plus, babies who are just starting to perfect their pincer grasp will love plucking the little bird out of its tummy pouch. Two toys for the price of one? Yes, please.

Age rating: 0+ months

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Velvety-soft stuffed animal

Vulli sophie the giraffe sweetie sophie plush 20cm
Image: Walmart
What We Love
  • Micro-velvet material
  • Beloved character
  • Machine-washable
Things To Consider
  • Small size

Did you know that teething sensation Sophie La Girafe also comes in a plush version? This cuddly copy of everyone's favorite giraffe is filled with microbeads that make her easy to move around during play time, and is a petite six inches high—perfect for little hands to grasp. Fans of the Sophie teether will love this more “grown-up” stuffed option.

Age rating: 0+ months

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Stuffed animal and board book

Inklings Wobby Baby Plush and Infant Novel Book Set
Image: Inklings
What We Love
  • Multiple textures
  • Belly rattle
  • Comes with a board book
Things To Consider
  • Board book illustrations are one-dimensional

Tired of pastel plushies and basic teddy bears? Inklings is here to mix things up. Inspired by weird and wacky imaginary friends, these stuffed animals certainly stand out from the crowd. There’s six characters to choose from including Wobby the Wild Eared Wala. The cute critter has crinkly textured ears, soft fur and a rattle hidden inside his burlap belly. Better yet, this toy brand is dedicated to diversity and inclusive characters take center stage in the accompanying board book series.

Age rating: 0+ months

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Palm-sized stuffed animal

Baby Fox
Image: Red & Olive
Buying Options
Red & Olive|$35
What We Love
  • Made from Peruvian cotton
  • Small size is perfect for babies
  • Stitched features
Things To Consider
  • Relatively high price point

Red & Olive is one of the cutest stuffed animal brands out there. Each fairtrade doll is lovingly made in Peru from the softest cotton and each detail is carefully considered. The baby collection is filled with knitted toys that fit in the palm of your hand and are perfectly sized for snuggles with your little one. Pro tip: For an extra-special gift check out the Match Me bundles that include a large stuffed animal and matching accessories for kids to wear.

Age rating: N/A

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Sustainable stuffed animal

GUND Baby Sustainable Duckling Plush
Image: Amazon
Buying Options
Amazon|$20
What We Love
  • Gender-neutral design
  • 100 percent recycled materials
  • Machine-washable
Things To Consider
  • Shipped in a poly bag

Sustainable stuffed animals tend to be more expensive than regular plushies. But that’s not the case with this cute duckling by GUND. It’s made from 100 percent recycled materials, equivalent to 10 plastic water bottles. And it doesn’t compromise on quality, this plush toy is incredibly soft and has embroidered features for baby’s safety.

Age rating: 0+ months

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Best Stuffed Animals for Toddlers

Has your little one recently hit the 12-month-mark? Congratulations, you’ve got a newly minted toddler on your hands. Between the ages of 1 and 3, children develop at a rapid pace and their likes and dislikes can turn on a dime. The good news? A sweet stuffed animal can give tots a sense of security amidst this period of change, helping with emotional regulation and creative development. Below find a few of the best stuffed animals for toddlers available now.

Stuffed animal and affirmation card

Dragon Kin
Image: Slumberkins
Buying Options
Slumberkins|$48
What We Love
  • Machine-washable
  • Embroidered details
  • Affirmation card and board book
Things To Consider
  • Plush fur may lose softness over time

We’re big fans of Slumberkins, a brand that specializes in products that build social-emotional skills in little kids. Each plush toy is inspired by a different theme, such as gratitude, mindfulness and self-esteem. We love the colorful Dragon Kin, which comes with a board book and affirmation cards that promote a healthy sense of creativity. Bonus: Slumberkins also has free resources like coloring and activity sheets and games that you can download at any time.

Age rating: 3+ years

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Heatable stuffed animal

Puppy - My First Warmies
Image: Warmies
Buying Options
Warmies|$29.99
What We Love
  • Can be heated up or chilled
  • Soothing lavender scent
  • Soft satin accents
Things To Consider
  • These plush toy are weighted

Looking for something a little different? Warmies are cute stuffed animal toys you can heat up in the microwave to provide up to an hour of warming comfort. (You can also chill them in the freezer for cooling relief.) They’re made from soft plush fabric with satin accents on the feet that baby will love to stroke. Warmies come in a range of characters and sizes, but we love this sweet puppy with soft, satin-lined ears. An added bonus? The toy is scented with French lavender, which has naturally soothing qualities.

Age rating: 0+ months

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Toddler teddy bear

Buddy Bear
Image: Vermont Teddy Bear
What We Love
  • Soft, silky fur
  • Long limbs are easy to grasp
  • Lifetime guarantee
Things To Consider
  • Plastic eyes

A stuffed animal is the perfect companion for tots on the move. And no matter where the journey takes you, Buddy Bear is ready to go! Designed with a narrow body, long limbs and weighted paws, Buddy is super-easy for little hands to hold onto. But because mishaps happen, you’ll find a name tag just below the tail so if Buddy gets lost he’ll always find his way back home.

Age rating: 0+ months

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Monkey stuffed animal

Monkey stuffie
Image: Fly Little Birdie
Buying Options
Fly Little Birdie|$62
What We Love
  • Stitched features
  • Colorful design
  • High-end recycled materials
Things To Consider
  • High price point

The best stuffed animals for toddlers spark their little imaginations—which is why we adore this cheeky monkey stuffie. The mix of soft, textured fabrics and bright patterns will inspire your child during playtime. Plus, the long arms and legs are easy for small kids to grab and hold onto when they want a hug. It’s made from recycled cashmere and cotton, so it’s luxuriously soft and perfect for snuggles. Better yet, Fly Little Bird donates 10 percent of each sale to Donate Life America, so you can be sure your purchase is making a difference.

Age rating: N/A

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Adoptable stuffed animal

Baby Panda Stuffed Animal
Image: Melissa & Doug
What We Love
  • Sits upright
  • Educational fact sheet
  • Accessories for interactive play
Things To Consider
  • Diaper can be difficult to secure

Animal-obsessed toddlers are sure to appreciate this cute panda. Made with huggably soft fabric, it comes with a pacifier, adoption certificate, care checklist and fun facts about animals in the wild. One thing’s for sure—this jungle dweller will make a top-notch cuddle companion for any little one.

Age rating: 18+ months

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Weighted plush toy

Bumpas Weighted Plush Toy – Cute Cuddle Pal
Image: Amazon
Buying Options
Amazon|$34.99
What We Love
  • Soft material
  • Weighted body and arms
  • Stitched features
Things To Consider
  • Not suitable for younger toddlers
  • Exercise supervision while using weighted toys

Soft and soothing, Bumpas weighted plush toys are taking the parenting world by storm. The cute characters weigh 3 pounds each and have long arms that wrap around your kiddo for comforting cuddles. Choose from six cute characters, but be warned your tot may want to collect them all.

Age rating: 3+ years

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Cat stuffed animal

Aurora Mini Flopsie Lily Tabby Cat Grey Stuffed Animal
Image: Target
What We Love
  • Floppy pose
  • Super-soft material
  • Realistic design
Things To Consider
  • Plastic nose and eyes

This one goes out to all the cat lovers out there! This sweet kitty is soft, cuddly and incredibly well-made. It has a tabby gray coat and a unique floppy pose, plus those paws are the perfect size for little hands to hold.

Age rating: 3+ years

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Custom plush toy

Custom Stuffed Animals from Kid's Drawings & Art
Image: Budsies
Buying Options
Budsies|$129
What We Love
  • Custom design process
  • All toys are hand made
Things To Consider
  • High price point

Last up on our list of the best stuffed animals is a truly one-of-a-kind brand. As seen on Shark Tank, Budsies create custom plush toys based on your child’s drawings. Yes, really! To get started simply upload a photo of your artwork, describe the character, select a production time and you’re good to go. The talented team at Budsies will then make your kid’s creation from scratch.

Age rating: N/A

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How We Chose the Best Stuffed Animals

While “cute” is a subjective term, there are a few other factors we considered when choosing adorable stuffed animals that are suitable for newborns, babies and toddlers. First, we consulted the AAP guidelines to ensure that the toys we selected were not choking hazards and met safe sleep guidelines, keeping in mind that babies should not sleep with stuffed animals in their cribs until they’re at least 12 months old. We then looked at popular plush toys and narrowed our selections based on safety, size, material, quality and cuteness. To ensure we had the best view of how these stuffed animals perform at home, we analyzed reviews from real parents to see how they were received by children and how well they held up over time and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating. And of course, since many of us are parents, we also relied on our experience with our own children.

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.

Sources

American Academy of Pediatrics, Safe Sleep

Healthy Children (AAP), Choking Prevention, September 2019

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