Stuffed Animals

Stuffed animals  are a popular plaything for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and elementary school children. They make a great companion for youngsters and are safe, soft, cuddly and they go anywhere, not to mention that they inspire a child's creativity and imagination. Of course, by the time kids reach a certain age, they'll be ready to pack up their stuffed animals, even though they'll always harbor fond memories of their favorite plush toy  they had has a kid.

Choosing the right stuffed animal is really a matter of taste and budget. It also depends on what characters a child likes best. Below are some of the most popular stuffed animal types. Keep in mind that a recent trend in the plush toy market are interactive stuffed animals that make noise, move and more. Think Teddy Ruxpin  for the 21st century.

Basic Plush Toy Styles
Teddy bears,  whether small or large, are a classic kid's toy. Children's eyes will simply light up at the sight of a large stuffed bear  by the Christmas tree.	Collectible plush toys  are usually enjoyed by older children. They are perfect for kids who want to start a collection of toys. Try Steiff Collectibles  or Boyds Bears  to get started.	Puppets  are great for kindergarteners and up. They can be played with alone, in a puppet theater  or displayed in a kid's room. They come in all styles, sizes and price ranges.	Stuffed dogs  and cats  are usually some of the first kinds of plush toys a kid will enjoy, especially when they are begging to get their own real dog or cat.	Farm animals  and jungle animals  are great stuffed animals for all ages. Think of kids favorite cartoons and movies, such as Madagascar  or Ice Age.

Favorite Characters

Care Bears,  popularized in the 80s are famous to this day. Each one has its own personality and tummy emblem.	Winnie the Pooh  is an old favorite, but don't forget his friends Tigger,  Piglet  and Eeyore.	Garfield,  the grumpy cat with an attitude based on the comics by Jim Davis has regained popularity with the recently released Garfield  movie.	Pound Puppies  were introduced years ago, but they have remained popular and who can be blamed? Those big puppy dog eyes are just too cute.	The kooky characters from the hit TV show, Fraggle Rock  and the famous Muppets  have been around forever, but it seems kids never tire of them.

Dr. Seuss,  the beloved storyteller, has many plush toys made in resemblance of his most famous characters such as The Cat in the Hat,  Thidwick,  The Grinch  and Horton  (shown).	Asthma Friendly  animals are a great choice if you are giving a stuffie to a kid with allergies, for obvious reasons. Still, they're cute and cuddly.	The Curious George Tickle N' Giggle  is one of the most recent interactive plush toys made and is much like the famous Elmo, only this cute monkey costs a fraction of the price.	For kids who loved the film Finding Nemo,  get them a cute plush toy from the film.  These aquatic stuffies are also great for kids who like marine biology.	Got a science nut? Kids with an interest in biology will love these cuddly, yet... er... realistic Giant Microbes.  Watch out though, you could scare a hypochondriac.

Ty Backyardigans  are extremely popular lately thanks to the hit TV show on which these stuffed animals are based.	Webkinz  are the Pound Puppies of the future, only you can adopt ANY animal and play with them in an online sim-like environment.	Doodle Bears  and Monsters  are a new breed of stuffed toys that kids can draw on time and time again with special markers.	Furreal Friends,  interactive plush toys that purr when you pet them, are expected to be hot this holiday season.	Elmo  just never seems to go away. Every year he's back and hotter than the year before. This year, try and get your hands on the TMX Elmo.

Rescue Pets  are a new take on Pound Puppies and they bark like real dogs. Ideal for young kids around five or six years old.	Groovy Girls  and their Groovy Pets  send a wholesome image to young girls that the Bratz  can't compare with.	Neopets  come in all styles -- much like the virtual pets themselves that kids can model to their specifications online -- and are unique and totally adorable.	Language Littles  are stuffed dolls that talk in French, Spanish or German to help young ones learn a foreign language. Perfect for kids being raised bilingual.	Over the Hedge toys,  based on the popular kid's movie, are just like the spunky characters in the film.

Happy Feet Dancing Mumble  is a tapping penguin with a love for dancing'! Not only does he dance, but he sings too so kids can play with him along with the DVD.	Ugly Dolls  are really not so ugly, but boys might actually be the perfect candidates for one of these less than perfect plushies.	The Beanie Baby,  still around and still popular with youngsters, comes in all sorts of shapes, styles and colors. Find the one that is a child's favorite animal and you'll win big points.	Disney toys,  no matter which type, are perfect for kids who love a particular Disney movie. Simply find the movie and get the plush toy to match and kids will go wild.	Gund  is a popular manufacturer for kids stuffed animals and they come in a wide variety of styles.

Related Buying Guides

• Holiday Toy Guide
• Dolls and Dollhouses
• Action Figures
• Toys for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners