Best Stuffed Animals 2024 - Forbes Vetted

Stuffed animals have a special place in the hearts of children and adults alike. The best stuffed animals can evoke warm memories of comfort and, unsurprisingly, kids usually grow quite attached to their fuzzy companions. Whether your tween wants a trendy Squishmallow or your tot is into super cool creatures like this Aurora sloth, there’s a perfect plush toy out there for every kid.

From classic teddy bears to velveteen dinosaurs, the best stuffed animals make a comforting ... [+] companion for your little one.

The decision to introduce cherished stuffed animals to children, especially infants, should be made thoughtfully, according to Dr. Stacey Elkhatib Smidt, pediatric neurologist at Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health in New Jersey. “Parents and loved ones may think stuffed animals are cute to have around children, but thought should go into sharing them with children, especially infants,” says Dr. Smidt. “You should not place stuffed animals or soft objects in the baby’s bassinet, crib or play yard.” Babies can play with their plush pals when they’re awake, but avoid placing any soft toys in their sleeping area due to current safe sleep guidelines to prevent SIDS and other tragedies.

Find our picks for the best stuffed animals and the best plush toys below and, if you’re shopping for a toddler, you might also want to check out the best toys for 2-year-olds or peruse our best play kitchens story for more imaginary playtime fun.

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When it comes to stuffed animals, it doesn’t get any more classic than one from Steiff, a German company best known for inventing one of the first plush toy teddy bears. Each of Steiff’s timeless teddies is marked with the brand’s signature “button in ear” tag and loosely stuffed with beanbag filling, perfect for little hands to tote around, but also firm enough to sit up on its own. It’s available in various sizes, including this 16-inch bear. Best of all, the bears are designed to hold up in the washing machine.

FAO Schwarz

If you’re not quite ready to commit to an IRL furry friend, FAO Schwarz’s Adopt A Pets collection is the next best thing. Each one, like this relaxed 15-inch Labrador, comes with an official certificate for its new pint-size owner to fill out. The brand offers a range of classic stuffed animals as well as plush unicorns and other fictional creatures.

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You can’t go wrong with any of the plushies from Jellycat, especially its popular bunny or this sweet kitten. ​With cuddly, soft fur and sweet features, Jellycat dolls are beloved by both kids and their caregivers. The lovable companions are great for a range of ages (though its black button eyes aren’t a fit for young babies) and come in sizes that go from a petite 7 inches to “really really big” stuffed animals.

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Stuffed animals get moved around a lot and the ones from Mary Meyer’s Marshmallow Zoo collection are up for it all. Each one is packed with just the right amount of beanbag filling to form the ideal cuddly-to-floppy ratio. My 4-year-old’s been dragging his lamb around since he could walk, and it’s also made multiple trips through the washing machine with no problem.

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For kids who love trips to the zoo, Aurora offers countless styles of lifelike plush toys. Choose from animals who live in the jungle, desert and other far-flung habitats or get a realistic replica of a family pet (like this 8-inch bunny). Aurora’s budget-friendly prices mean parents can also stock up on a backup (or two).

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The plush toy line from National Geographic is as lifelike as it gets. Kids can adore hugging and cuddling with the furry friends, especially those obsessed with a specific animal, as well as learn more about the wild version of their new pal. Don’t forget to read the hangtag to learn some fun facts about each critter and scan the QR code for a video of the real animal in action.

World Wildlife Fund

It’s never too early for kids to learn about Mother Nature. Taking part in World Wildlife Fund’s symbolic animal adoption supports the nonprofit’s conservation efforts and teaches little ones about endangered animals. Each donation comes with a soft miniature replica of the adopted animal, along with an adoption certificate and color photograph of the real thing.

Melissa & Doug

Melissa & Doug’s collection of lifelike plush toys not only resemble their real-life counterparts in design, but also in size. At nearly 3 feet tall—some are even 4 feet tall, like this giraffe—the jumbo stuffed animals tower over their little owners. Their remarkably realistic detail and sturdy structure make for epic sessions of pretend play.

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If it feels like you see Squishmallows everywhere, you’re not alone. The squeezable plushies have become collectors’ items, with both adults and kids scrambling to find their favorites—the Toy Foundation even named them Toy of the Year in 2023. They’re perfect for toddlers enamored with a specific Pokémon, Disney but also for tweens who love the pop-culture characters, colorful animals, foods and seasonal releases for those who just want something super-cute.

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TeeTurtle’s TikTok–famous plushies are great for kids working through big feelings, again, from toddlers to tweens. The reversible stuffed animals typically have two faces—a scowling one and a cheerful one—that can be flipped and put on display depending on its owner’s mood. At 4 inches tall, they fit nicely into backpacks, on homework desks and wherever else kids need a bit of support.

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Created by a family therapist and a special education teacher, Slumberkins plushies are more than just snuggling buddies. They’re designed to connect with kids on an emotional level, and each stuffed animal is tied to a specific social-development skill. This 14-inch narwhal, for example, walks children through problem-solving and comes with both a storybook and positive affirmation cards. There’s also a lovey-like Snuggler for smaller kids.

Warmies

As its name suggests, Warmies makes plush toys that can be popped in the microwave and stay heated for up to two hours to keep kids cozy. They’re also weighted and scented with French lavender for the ultimate sensory experience. Select from a wide array of animals, baby dolls and even foods. (We would just remind parents that the American Academy of Pediatrics does caution against using weighted products and swaddles with babies.)

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The velvet-like fabric of the plushies in Manhattan Toy’s Velveteen collection is soft to the touch and easy to spot clean. The feet are weighted, which not only helps the various dinosaur and sea creatures stand up, but also gives them a nice calming heft.

Wild Republic

Wild Republic’s Snuggleluvs line was designed with comfort in mind. Added weight and long, fluffy fur make them the perfect cuddling companions. All of them are packed with an eco-friendly fill made from recycled water bottles. Choose from among a range of stuffed animals, from this 15-inch Alpaca to bears or even a flamingo.

Meri Meri

Meri Meri’s line of knitted toys are crafted from organic cotton and stuffed with polyester. Choose from a range of playful plush companions in the form of dinosaurs, mermaids and jungle animals. The embroidered eyes and nose make these safer for all ages compared to stuffies with plastic parts.

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Cuddle + Kind’s whimsical stuffed animals are hand-knit from organic cotton yarn and filled with hypoallergenic polyfill. The adorable dolls are available in two sizes (13-inch, pictured above, and 20-inch) and each comes with a name, backstory and even birth date. There’s a do-good component to each Cuddle + Kind purchase: For every doll, the company donates 10 meals to charities fighting childhood hunger.

Cuddoll

The stuffed animals from Cuddoll’s Stay Wild collection contain a high stitch count for maximum softness and durability. Since all the features are hand-knit, there are no potential loose parts so even the littlest babies can play with them safely. They’re made from premium yarn, but require some TLC when it comes to care because they’re hand-wash only.

Fly Little Bird

This small, woman-owned shop makes Fly Little Bird’s stuffed animals from a mix of repurposed and new natural materials. The head and body are hand-stitched from old cashmere sweaters and oxford shirts, then stuffed with kapok, a fluffy fiber that’s hypoallergenic and moisture-resistant. Each one has a unique ensemble and also comes with a tiny felt satchel and bird.

Barefoot Dreams

Barefoot Dreams makes its stuffed animals from the same “CozyChic” yarn as many of its popular blankets and robes, so it probably comes as no surprise that they’re just as snug. The muted hues easily fit in with any nursery theme and some can be purchased with matching accessories like baby blankets.

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Gund’s Lil’ Luvs collection is intended for children as young as 6 months old during daytime play. They have embroidered facial features that are baby-safe and a structured body that can sit up or lie flat. The pastel fur is extra soft and is meant to stay that way even after cleaning.

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Lamb & Ivy’s top-rated stuffed animals are beloved for their baby-safe features and accompanying nursery gear. The furry animals have embroidered features so there’s no worry of beady eyes and noses falling off—plus the brand often offers matching bedding, mobiles and other infant essentials. The brand has a Disney license, so you can find Mickey, Minnie and other characters available here, too.

The Forbes Vetted team has spent countless hours finding the best toys—and gear—for kids of all ages. Our writer for this story, Patty Lee, is a contributor for both our parenting and home and kitchen verticals, and has years of experience selecting and researching products. Her work has appeared in publications such as Food Network, The Kitchn, Martha Stewart Living and more. She also has a preschooler with a large collection of stuffed animals that he plays with regularly.

For this list, she consulted Dr. Stacey Elkhatib Smidt, a pediatric neurologist at Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health at JFK University Medical Center in New Jersey for stuffed animal safety information as well as The Toy Association for insight into toy trends.

First, I researched major stuffed animal brands, many of which I was already familiar with since I have a preschooler and often shop for kids of friends and family. I polled some of these children on their favorites, noting the characteristics that made their plushies stand out from the rest of their stuffed animal collection. My editor Rose Gordon Sala, a mom to three, also weighed in on her family’s favorites and those she recommends after covering the toy and baby gear industry for nearly a decade.

I then sifted through each brand’s website to find bestsellers and narrowed down a list based on factors like material, size, price and age group, as well as whether or not we as a team had firsthand experience with it. I also read through the reviews to see what shoppers thought of each plushes’ durability and ease of cleaning. When possible, I also looked for the stuffed animals in person during shopping trips to feel them firsthand with my 4-year-old.