Gifts, Teddies and more

Your children may love their plush toys, but every time they hug them all you can see is the dirt and germs being spread from their favorite toy. You know it’s time these stuffed animals get freshened up, but how do you do it without destroying your child’s favorite toy? Luckily, this isn’t as big as an undertaking as you think! With careful attention to any labels on the plush animals, and a calm perusal of what the toy is made out of, you can clean anyone’s stuffed animal without ruining it for good!

Washing Machine and Dryer Method – Sturdier Toys

Believe it or not, the majority of plush toys will survive a cycle in the washing machine. Still, this isn’t the case with them all, so you should pay careful attention to what their labels say. Most toy labels will say if the animal is not washer friendly. And if there is no label, then there is a good chance its safe by omission. Just don’t just treat the stuffed animal like it’s part of any old load of laundry. Use a delicate cycle with the cold water option, and use plenty of softener, so the toy doesn’t lose its hugable feel. Don’t overload the washer either with too many teddy bears or other stuffed toys at once. And when it’s time to go in the dryer, make sure to tumble dry low and add lots of dryer sheets, to avoid static.

At Home Dry Clean Method – A Bit More Delicate Toys

Many popular toys, such as stuffed dogs, teddy bears, and plush cats have their eyes and noses made out of plastic. Some of this plastic is susceptible to heat, and there’s the possibility that just throwing them in the washer and dryer could destroy the toy. If you have a stuffed animal that you’re not sure about, then use a home dry cleaning bag, such as Dryel or some other reliable brand from your local store. Put one or a few toys and put them in the dryer on low, as per the instructions on the label. This will allow them to come out smelling fresh, without chancing any tears from a destroyed toy that was once loved.

Air Vacuum Method – For Delicate Toys in Need of a Serious Makeover

Some toys are obviously delicate, yet this hasn’t stopped them from being put through the ringer. These “code red” toys need to be treated without water or heat. In fact, some of these toys can even be flammable, so putting them in the dryer is outright dangerous. Luckily, there’s another option for these delicate but dusty toys: the bag and vacuum method. Just put a few plush animals in a garbage bag, so that they fit loosely. Then, put the hose attachment on your vacuum at the bag opening and lock it with your hand. Turn on the vacuum and the dust will gently be sucked out. Don’t worry if they lose their shape through the suction; this is often only a temporary problem. Then, to freshen them up a little more you can squirt them with some fabric spray. Obviously, it’s important to only try this method on large or medium stuffed animals; those that are too small could get sucked up in to the vacuum.

Hand Wash Method – The Delicate Measure for Delicate Toys

If you have a delicate toy that you don’t dare take any chances with, then use the old fashioned way: wash them by hand. This allows you to be flexible. You can either wash the entire stuffed animal, or just scrub at the trouble spots. Say you have a stuffed dog, a good way to go about this would be to soak the stuffed animal in some water with detergent for about 10 to 20 minutes, then just scrub at the worst spots. When you’re done, make sure to rinse the dog thoroughly, wring out the water, then let the animal air dry. If you want to do the spot method, simply use a toothbrush with soft bristles to dip into water and detergent. This way you’ll only get the parts that are really dirty wet.

So as you can, no matter what kind of stuffed animal you have, there’s a method for getting it clean. Don’t give up on your favorite toys, they can be saved!

If you have a special stuffed animal, whether it’s a much loved child’s toy or a perfect decoration for your living room, it’s a shame to watch it give in to the ravages of time. Dirt and dust are pervasive, impossible to stop annoyances, but it is possible to clean up your favorite dirty teddy bear! And you can do it without ruining the toy too. Water and teddy bears aren’t mutually exclusive. Whether the plush animal is only a little dusty, or extremely soiled, these tricks and tips will insure you never lose another stuffed animal to the ravages of dirt again.

“A Little Dusty”

Dust is unavoidable, and so cleaning some off before the plush animal’s status becomes code red is a good idea. This is actually quite easy, just get a damp cloth or duster to wipe way the accumulated dust. You can even use a disinfecting cloth to wipe away any unwanted germs. If just cleaning the surface isn’t enough for you, another great approach is to toss the plush toy into the dryer with a couple of scented dryer sheets. All you need to do is to set the temperature on high in order to kill germs, and let it go for 10 minutes. This way both their insides and outsides have been freshened up. You’ll feel like the toy is new again!

“I Need a Bath”

If your teddy bear ends up on the floor a lot, then it probably needs a better cleaning then the ones above. There are several options here. First, you can let the plush toy soak overnight with some softener and detergent, then throw them in the dryer for that fresh smell. Or, you can just simply throw them in the washing machine. To keep the toy safe, put it in a pillow case and knot the case closed. Then, so as not to damage the stuffed animal, set the washer on a gentle cycle with cold water, and always make sure you dry it on low. A low heat setting for a half and hour will be plenty for the toy, and then when you take them out, straighten the teddy bear in case any of its stuffing has shifted out of place.

“I Need a Miracle”

These toys have had a hard life. But even covered in dirt and unidentifiable gunk, there are ways to clean them. Those terrible stains don’t have to be irreversible. Whether they are beloved childhood toys or your favorite Valentine’s Day present from a loved one, miracles do happen. Make sure you get some carpet cleaner and a toothbrush. The toothbrush is a good size brush for delicate toys, as anything bigger could ruin them. This is especially good for spotting stains. Just squirt a little cleaner on the brush and gently scrub on the worst spots. Once you have done this, rinse the plush animal in cold water, until the water runs clear. Then you can put the stuffed toy in the dryer for 10 minutes. It will most likely not be completely dry, but that’s okay, as then you can let it air dry. Don’t forget to use a disinfecting cloth, which is especially important if its toy for a small child.

So as you can see, there are many ways to clean a stuffed animal. Even when it seems the toy may be beyond saving, don’t give up! If it’s important to you, it might just be worth a little elbow grease. You’ll be happy when your favorite toys are fresh, clean, and just like new again!

Ready to spend a fun day together with your kids? Then hop to this great family activity that will keep you and your little ones busy and smiling. To create your own puppet show you need a short story, some plush animals and a bit of creativity. The props are easy to improvise once you have the right mindset. It only takes a bottle cap to create the porridge bowl that Goldilocks ate from. So, start imagining and create and amazing puppet show for you and your family.

Are you looking for something fun to do for your kids while their stuck inside because of bad weather? Many of us would prefer to keep them away from the television, but that means we have to keep them busy. Luckily, there’s a really fun idea: build a puppet show. Rather than just reading a story aloud, acting it out with puppets is a great way to create a fantastic memory for your children. And most importantly, you’ll get to spend more time with your kids! And once their older, they’ll be challenged to put on one of their own!

Goldilocks and the Three Bears Puppet Show

Luckily for us, creating a puppet show doesn’t have to be horribly complicated. In fact, you don’t actually need to go out and buy puppets. Most children already have stuffed animals and dolls, and they’ll be thrilled to see their favorite toy staring in a puppet theatre! Costume their toys with your own accessories, such as jewelry, hats, glasses, and anything else you can think of. Be inventive when it comes to other props by using plastic tableware, boxes, etc.

The Characters

Let’s say you want to re-create a favorite fairytale, such as “The Story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” Obviously, you’ll need a Papa Bear, a Mama Bear, and a Baby Bear. This is easy as long as you have three teddy bears of varying sizes. Then dress the bears up accordingly. Take the smallest bear and give him a little hat or tie a pacifier around his neck so that he’s obviously baby bear. As for the parents, give Mama Bear a necklace or little bow, and to Papa Bear add a pair of old glasses. Then you will need Goldilocks. She can easily be recreated with any blond doll, in fact a Barbie would work just fine.

Believe it or not, you don’t need the intricate strings of a professional puppeteer. Instead get a ruler, stick, or maybe even a pair of chopsticks, whichever you have on hand. These can then be taped to your puppet’s bodies so they are easy to maneuver. This can also make them more stable and less likely to flop around.

The Props

Next, it’s time to find the appropriate props. First you’ll need to represent the table of the three bears. You could use a small box, or even a piece of Tupperware. Then place little “bowls” on them. Use the wrappers from Ferrero Rocher or Reeses chocolates, as they have the right “bowl” shape. Or you could use the caps of a couple of water bottles. Then, to create chairs, use foam water glasses. Cut Mama Bear’s seat by an inch so that it’s smaller than Papa Bear’s “seat”, which you will leave alone, and then cut the cup for Baby Bears seat by 2 inches, so that it is the smallest seat of all. Foam is a particularly good material, because it’s easy to “break” the chair when Goldilocks sits down in it. The beds are just as easy to create. All you need are some napkins and tissue arranged on one side of the room, cut down into three descending sizes. And so there you go! You’ve got all the props you need to put on a great show, and it was easy!

So there you go. You’ve got everything you need: the puppets, the props, and a great classic story. Whether rain or shine, this is a truly fun way to entertain your children. As long as your child has toys around the house like stuffed animals, you can create anything!

For those of us who have kids or know children, it certainly seems like toys and the idea of play has changed. Children’s entertainment has taken on a much more passive role, when in our day play was all about imagination and creativity. For example, we’d play dress up or various role playing games, and we’d use the toys we did have in completely creative, loosely structured fun. Nowadays it seems that traditional play where you create a story has been left behind, what with video games and other passive entertainments.

Of course, I don’t mean to sound like an old fogey by belittling a new generation of toys, but it’s hard to disagree with the importance of active play for a child’s development. In fact, classic toys and games are still very much the basis for learning and growing. They can have the occasional video game, but make sure to also include, especially when they are very young, these classic toys for development. Remember, playing is as important as outright learning, such as learning a new language and engaging in sports, and can really help our children excel.

Below I will explain why “play” is so important for development.

1. Play can be a precursor to important socialization skills that children learn through sports. Here they learn how to be part of a team, be disciplined, and learn about competitiveness. Leading an active life before they are old enough to play organized sports can begin this process. These basic activities include things such as running outside, playing hide and seek, or playing hopscotch. Healthy bodies help create healthy minds, so we should never underestimate the power of physical activity, even if it does just look like “play.”

2. Play is also very important when it comes to the development of creativity. The ability to create their own universe is important for children. For example, children can be the teacher instead of the student. They can research a tropical jungle while surrounded by stuffed lions and stuffed tigers. Or they can be Snow White with all her enchanted forest animals (plush toys of course) waiting for Prince Charming. With the creativity to impersonate and create their own scenario’s, children can explore future interests or even future careers. Creating their own characters and stories is a great way to grow their imaginations in way that is better than just watching television or playing a video game where the stories, pictures, and characters are already there. Also, many of these imaginative games are much less violent then television or video games, so the child can grow and develop in a way that’s much more harmonious.

3. Play also develops social skills and teaches a child how to relate to others. For example, maybe the child is pretending they’re in a jungle with a stuffed tiger. Not only does this help them learn about nature, it also teaches them how to interact with others. Children who play together, whether they are jumping rope or having fun with that stuffed tiger have to set ground rules and boundaries as they pretend in order to share a world. In this way, children learn how to depend on and interact with each other.

Remember, playing is very vital to the development of a child. Play teaches them how to cope with the world, learn how to interact with others and be more creative. The occasional video game is fine, but we should make sure children learn the basics of play. And we can help do this by joining in the fun. Whether we decide to play the damsel in distress or the monster that’s chasing them around, we can be a part of the play and development. Remember, these memories will be cherished far more than any television show or video game.

Finding the perfect stuffed animal is just the beginning of the gift decision-making process. Your next step is finding the right size. Plush toys are not one size fits all, and unlike shirts or pants, you can’t try them on to find the one that works perfectly. Of course, with plush animals, you know which size “fits” by looking at the occasion and the person who you are giving the gift to.

Let’s discuss what constitutes small, medium, and large stuffed toys before getting into the appropriate times to get what. Of course, unlike clothes, plush animals don’t have sizes on the label because they simply do not have a standard sizing chart. So to make things simple for the purposes of this article, let’s size stuffed animals within a 4 to 90 inch range, as they rarely get smaller or larger than that. For “small” stuffed animals, let’s consider them anything under or equal to 18 inches. For a toy to be medium, let’s put it between 19 and 42 inches. Lastly, let’s consider large toys anything above 42 inches long. Next, let’s look at the appropriate occasions and people for each size.

Small Sized Plush Animals

Whether they be small or extra-small, little toys are often the cutest of all. Because of this cuteness, small toys are especially appropriate for children. With smaller stuffed animals, there’s plenty of room for quite a few of them to be piled on their beds ready for nightly snuggling. These can also be a great “thinking of you” gift for a significant other, especially stuffed animals that are extra-small. This way the gift is still inexpensive for you, but still more than thoughtful enough to make an impact. For example, you could put out a small stuffed bunny who’s holding a post-it or a card with a loving sentiment written on or in it.

Medium Sized Plush Animals

Medium sized stuffed animals can be great for a lot of occasions. For example, they are the perfect size when you want them to hold something, such as flowers or chocolates for any number of events. Maybe you want to pair a teddy bear with a box of truffles for Valentine’s day, or maybe match it with a bouquet of flowers for Mother’s Day. There are plenty of options. These are also the perfect size for home décor. Make someone’s home more fun by giving them a stuffed leopard for their couch that’s in complementary colors to the rest of their decorations. Or, help unify a theme in their vacation home. Maybe their second home is in the country, get a forest animal, such as a stuffed fox or a plush wolf.

Large Sized Plush Animals

Large sizes can be the most difficult to find, but they can also be incredibly exciting. A child is probably going to be thrilled with a 42 inch stuffed monkey, as it’s even bigger than they are! A stuffed animal as big or bigger than they can be played with a lot, and can become a good friend. These are a great gift for young adults too. Give a new college girl an extra-large teddy bear to keep in her dorm room. That way she’ll always have something cute and cuddly, (and big enough to hug), to get her through tough times and the loneliness of being away from home for the first time.

Remember, keep these guidelines in mind when you’re trying to choose what size plush stuffed animals to get someone. Different sizes are appropriate for different occasions, so follow these tips and your gift recipient will not be disappointed!

Collecting is a popular hobby. Many people turn their passion into a delightful pastime that they work on throughout their life. You may think collecting sounds fun, but you don’t know where to start, or what to collect. This article has a great proposal for you: plush toys. Unlike other collectible items, stuffed animals are not difficult to find and there are many places you can look to make your collection distinctive and fun.

Stuffed Animals Collection - Why to Start It

If you still need more convincing, consider these reasons for why stuffed animals should be your collectible of choice:

Finding stuffed animals for your collection, especially when you’re a beginner, is easy because there are many places that sell them.

Plush toys don’t require any maintenance beyond the occasional dusting.

When space in your home is at a premium, stuffed animals can be useful because they can be put any where you have the room. You can keep your collection in one area, or scatter it all over.

Your collection’s growth can happen naturally. Stuffed animals are a popular gift, which means others may end up adding to your collection.

Stuffed toys can be a great way to bring up memories. Whether you bought the toy yourself or received it as a gift, you’ll always remember the person or place where you received it from.

Stuffed Animals Collection - How to Start It

Now that you understand how satisfying this kind of collection can be, I’ll give you some tips for starting out on a collection of your own.

When first beginning, have a theme. This way your collection will be organized and unified. Plus, it gives you a place to start. For example, you could have a jungle theme. For this theme you could get stuffed lions, stuffed leopards, or any other tropical rainforest animal. Or maybe you want a forest theme. In that case you could find something like a plush wolf or a stuffed owl. Or maybe you could get a broader topic in mind, like a fantasy theme. Your could forget the narrower idea and just go with all kinds: plush dogs, teddy bears, stuffed leopards and anything else you can think of. Just find some that you enjoy and you’ll find that collecting is easy.

Another great tip is to keep one eye open for good stuffed toys whenever you’re traveling or on vacation. There are lots of places that have plush toys decorated with the emblem or flag of whatever country you’re traveling too. Obviously you can find these toys in stores, but also at airports, museums, or other places where traveler’s congregate. These make a great souvenir, and insure that you’ll always remember your trip. You can also find stuffed animals that are holiday themed or representing a particular season, and often they are very unique and decorated beautifully. This is a fantastic way to add stuffed animals that represent the wonderful times in your life.

So as you can see, there are many reasons to start a stuffed animal collection of your very own. It’s not at all hard to get started once you have a theme, and it can be a lot of fun to watch assortment of plush toys grow!

When you have a theme, parties can be incredibly fun and make you appear very inventive. Take a recent party I attended for my cousin’s youngest daughter’s birthday. Amy was just turning five, and had invited several other children her age over to help her celebrate. My cousin had also invited family and other friends over to celebrate, which is how I was able to attend this amazing party.

When I arrived at the big bash, I got my first look at the incredible theme party my cousin had put together. The first floor was covered with inflatable palms and plastic vines. There was even a humidifier emitting a mist to create a hazy jungle atmosphere, and music playing that imitated the sounds of jungle animals and birds. The place looked like a tropical forest! I was amazed at how creative everything was, and couldn’t believe how much work must have been put in.

My cousin even created a special corner just for the kids in one corner of the living room. In this corner, there was a green tarp on the floor with a tall inflatable palm tree. There were even a few plush jungle animals. Stuffed lions, stuffed giraffes, and even a big gorilla completed the theme by being strategically placed around the palm. This was the “picture corner,” where the kids could take pictures in the “jungle” so that everyone had a souvenir to take home! And that’s not all, with the picture they could also choose one of the stuffed animals in the corner to have for their very own! (Except for the big gorilla, because that was reserved exclusively for Amy!)

Obviously, the party went over very well with everyone. The stuffed plush animals were a great touch, giving authenticity to the theme and really making the children happy. Even the adults had to love the cute and cuddly critters! During the party, my cousin shared a secret with me. He said that even though the entire party looked like it had taken him days and days to put together, it had actually only taken him an hour to set it all up. I couldn’t believe it!

My cousin wasn’t the only one to realize what a rousing success themed parties could be. A few weeks later I attended my friend’s ten year wedding anniversary at her house. She had really learned from my cousin’s hit party. She had put together a teddy bear themed bash, which was not only cute but very personal. Her husband’s name is Theodor Bruin, but his nickname is Teddy. The stuffed animal theme worked out well for these occasions, and I can definitely see it working for many other events and holidays. As you can see, it’s really easy to let your creativity flow when you have plush toys to work with!

It's wonderful having plush toys around, and most of us have a quite a stuffed animal collection.  However, taking care of these toys can sometimes be a real bother. When they’re out in the open they can get dusty and dirty, and then what do you do? Many people just wind up boxing their stuffed animals away and locking them in the closet to avoid the hassle.  But there are better ways. Read through this advice and you will find great ways to take care of your stuffed animal collection. You can keep your plush toys displayed and still keep them clean, just follow this advice! One of the easiest things you can do to consistently keep your stuffed animals clean is to occasionally dust them off. Dust mites accumulate all over your house, so when you’re dusting as part of your regularly scheduled cleaning, why not also clean off your teddy bears? You can dust them using a regular duster or even baby wipes.  Baby wipes are sometimes even easier to use on fur because the wet surface gives the dust mites something to cling on to. Remember to dust regularly, and you will find that your teddy bear’s colors will remain bright and sharp.

If you have larger plush toys, another great idea is to use a hand vacuum. This will get dirt and dust off of your toy more thoroughly, better even than a plain duster. Still, if you are planning to use a vacuum, be very careful. Some stuffed animals aren’t sturdy enough to withstand a vacuum, especially if it’s suction is extra powerful. Make sure the material it’s made from is not too fragile. You don’t want your teddy bear to lose a nose or a button from its clothes just because you rushed.

Also, if it’s an option, the most effective way to clean a stuffed plush animal is to machine wash. You can decide if this is an option or not be reading the label. Just like food labels or clothing tags, a plush toy label will let you know if the animal is machine washable. Still, even if it is, make sure to use a gentle cycle with softener, which will make sure to maintain the softness of your toy.  In addition, you can learn from my example. I once washed one of my favorite stuffed leopards, only to find it looked rather worn out when I finished. Luckily, I had the bright idea to use a hair dryer, and soon it was nice and fluffy again. I did the same thing with a stuffed lion’s mane, and it looked as good as new after the magic of my hair dryer. Blow-drying definitely works to fluff up any toy’s fur.

These tips for stuffed animal care should make your life easier, and keep your toys happier.  Dread dust no more! There is no longer a reason to lock your adorable plush toys away in the closet, show those teddy bears off! Just incorporate a small dusting into your cleaning routine regularly, or use the washer if you need a more thorough cleaning. Remember, it’s not nearly as difficult as you’d think to keep your toys looking fresh and new.