39 posts tagged “plush animals”

For my soon to turn 6 year olds birthday this year, she decided that she wanted to have a stuffed animal party. A stuffed animal party basically means that all the little girls invited will bring their favorite plush toy so that they can all play with them together. This is a great theme, but in order to keep the young ones attention, I knew I would have to be very inventive when it comes to creating games in order to keep everyone happy.

We had ten girls invited as guests, and I knew that with those kinds of numbers it was quite possible that someone would forget their plush toy at home. So that is why I decided to have a couple extra stuffed animals and teddy bears on hand. And sure enough two girls forgot their toy. One of the girl's forget her favorite teddy bear in her mom's car, and the other had just lost her favorite plush dog at school. Luckily, my extras managed to head off the tears at the pass, and then we could get to the games. Here are some of the games we played, and hopefully they'll be able to help you if you want to create your own stuffed animal party.

The Stuffed Animals Treasure Hunt

This one I had to think ahead for, as before the party started I hid a teddy bear somewhere in our house. I then used post-it notes to write down some clues. The first post-it note I gave to my daughter's plush dog, Fluffy. This clue would lead them to the next and so on, until they (and their companion stuffed animals) finally found the teddy bear. But the game didn't end there. The teddy bear himself contained another clue. You see, I had gotten some teddy bear cookies (to continue the theme) and hidden them also. This was a great game and all of the girls had a lot of fun.

Pin the Tail on the Bunny

While not as inventive as the treasure hunt, this variation of pin the tail is a classic for a reason. My daughter had a big stuffed bunny she had gotten for Easter. Realizing this would be perfect, I turned the bunny around so it's back was to the girls, and made a tail out of Velcro and some bandanas. That way, the girl's could be blindfolded, and whoever got the tail in the right place would stick with the Velcro. We played in teams, and the team that won (by pinning the tail the most times) would get to be the first to take a picture in the bunny's lap. This kept the girl's busy, and the prize was benign enough that we didn't have any jealousy issues.

Stuffed Animals Fairy Tale

After stuffed animal crackers and cake, we had time for one last game. We turned their plush toys, every plush dog, stuffed cat, stuffed raccoon and teddy bear, into a character in a fairy tale. This really let them be creative, and I was careful to make sure that each little girl's plushie got an important role. Since everyone wanted to be princesses, I let everyone do that and then they had to work together to overcome obstacles and get to the palace in time for the queen's birthday. This imaginative game was a great success.

As you can see, everyone had a wonderful time and my daughter said this was the best birthday party she had ever had! And the best part, I was able to throw a great party without breaking my budget! My daughter decided that this was a good omen for her year six, and I have to agree. With a little bit of imagination, a stuffed animal party can be a great way for everyone to have a blast!

Have you or your son or daughter ever had a favorite toy that's gotten a little worse for wear? With all the times your favorite plush toys get squeezed, dragged around, and played, with wear and tear takes an inevitable toll. Little rips can make your most beloved teddy bear look more like a Franken Bear, suitable only for Halloween. Luckily, this problem isn't as hopeless as you might think. There are a few steps you can take to fix almost any soft plush toy so that they are practically as good as new!

Step 1

Identifying the specific problem area (or areas) is your first step. The most common rips happen at the toy's stitches, which can include where the legs, arms, or head were sewn on to the body, which is what we are going to focus on. This is naturally the weakest point on a stuffed animals body, and when squeezed the stuffing puts pressure on these areas, causing the stitching to fail. These rips might not all be easy to fix, but they can mostly be approached in the same way.

Step 2

For the second step, you'll need to pick up supplies. There are some basic tools you'll need when the seams on a plush toy are unraveling: a needle and thread. The thread should match the stuffed animals fabric, or be as neutral or complementary in color as possible. Make sure the thread is tough too, otherwise you'll just have to do this again a couple of months down the road. Most needles you can get as part of a set, and that way you'll have needles in various sizes. This is important because a big teddy bear may require a thick, touch needle, while a small plush dog should have a small, delicate needle. Also, get a needle threader if you have trouble getting the thread through.

Step 3

For step three, learn what you need to do. Even an amateur sewer can stitch up a stuffed animal, it is not at all complicated. First, thread the needle with an arm's length of thread so that you make sure that you won't run out, as that complicates the sewing. Once the needle has been threaded, double the thread and tie a knot at the end. This way you'll have two rows of thread with a knot at the bottom away from the needle. Now it's time to start sewing. On one side of the split seam, push the needle through, and then push it across through the other side of the split seam. Pull so that the two sides come together, and then push the needle in again on the next part as you sew in a diagonal pattern. Keep doing this so that you stitch the ripped sides together. When you get to the end, have the needle go through the last stitch and wrap it around, so that the last stitch is strong. Then, tie a knot or two as close to the stitch as possible in order to make sure that no thread is showing. Finally, cut the thread.

So there you go, practically any stuffed animal can be fixed with a minimum of hassle. It only takes a couple of minutes of your time, and the purchase of a needle and thread is very inexpensive. Now you can think twice before throwing your favorite toys away!

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!

It’s that time of year again: Easter! And as always, you need to create some fun Easter baskets for the children in your life. Whether you are looking for something non-traditional, or trying to come up with a basket that’s fun and yet doesn’t break the bank, or even making your first Easter basket, this article will have something for you.

Each of these baskets are inexpensive and great time savers. They are easy to construct and can be put together in less than an hour. So hop to it and go ahead and create the perfect basket; here there is something for everyone!

Forest Easter Basket

If you know a child that’s an avid hiker/camper/outdoor lover, this is the basket for them. Before you start building the basket, get these items together:

* Brown wooden basket
* Brown and green Easter grass or shredded paper of the same colors
* Construction paper in green and orange
* Your choice of plastic, chocolate or hard boiled eggs
* Animal shaped cookies or crackers
* A natural appearing plush rabbit
* Butterflies and ladybugs 3-D stickers (optional)

Once you’ve gathered together everything, it’s time to create the basket.

1. To represent soil, place the brown paper or Easter grass at the bottom of the basket. Then, layer over the brown with the green in order to represent grass. This is a good base to start with.

2. Next you can add the bunny. You can either use it as a centerpiece and place the plush toy in the middle, or you can place it towards the back so it’s a “supporting” element.

3. Then it’s time to start adding the eggs. Place them all around the bunny. If you want a very natural looking basket, don’t use too colorful of eggs. But if you like a lot of color, or only have colored eggs on hand, use them.

4. Next, you can arrange the animal cookies or crackers. Put them among the eggs, so that it looks like they are peeking around them.

5. Next it’s time to use the green and orange construction paper into “carrots. Cut long triangles from the orange paper for the carrot, and then add the green paper by cutting and shredding a small rectangle that you can tape to the carrot’s base for its leaves. You can decide how many of these you need.

6. Lastly, if you decided to get some stickers, place a couple of lady bugs and/or butterfly stickers to the handle, as if they were crawling up it. This will give the basket a very forest friendly look.

So now you have the perfect Easter basket for an outdoor lover!

Farm Easter Basket

This basket is very colorful and utilizes the traditional farm animals as symbols of Easter. For this basket you will need:

* A Small or Medium basket (any color)
* Green and yellow Easter grass or shredded paper
* Plastic, chocolate or hard boiled eggs
* 4 -5 fuzzy plush chicks or baby ducks
* Optional: Twizzlers or gummy worms
* Optional: Flower 3-D stickers or colorful ribbon

Now it’s time to build this fun basket:

1. First, you should mix together the green and yellow Easter grass until it simulates farm hay. Then fill the basket almost full with the mixture.

2. Next, take your stuffed chicks or baby ducks and place them on top of the hay. Arrange them however you see fit. This could be at random, so they’re evenly spaced, or so they are arranged in a line as if they were following each other.

3. Then place the eggs all around the plush toys. If you want to add an extra, cute touch, break some of the egg shells so it looks like they just hatched. Put some of the shells on their head or beside them.

4. Next, if you want to add more candy to the basket, because after all, Easter is a big candy holiday, set some twizzlers or gummy worms around the chicks. This way it looks like they are about to have lunch! Yummy!

5. Your last step could be to add some colorful flower stickers to the basket, because what spring scene is complete without freshly blooming flowers? Also, take the ribbon and tie it around the handle for that perfect finishing touch.

So there you have it, an adorable farm themed Easter basket! It seems that you can put all your chicks and eggs in one basket after all!

As you can see, Easter baskets can be a really fun way to flex your creative muscle, and create some wonderful new memories of one of the biggest holidays around! Happy Easter!

Easter Sunday is a holiday much anticipated by kids. After all, they get to hang out with friends and family, play games, eat candy and other treats, and even get presents! Of course, unfortunately for us adults, we’re the ones who have to provide all the fun. Instead of carefree enjoyment of the holiday, we get responsibility. It can be exhausting to have to find the perfect Easter kid’s gifts, and make sure we come in within budget. Luckily, this article is here to help. Here you’ll get fun ideas for Easter presents, which can either be wrapped individually or put together in a great Easter basket!

Sweets, Candy and other Goodies

Easter is a great time of the year for candy. Tasty, holiday-appropriate treats are released in droves. There are chocolate eggs, jelly beans, marshmallow chicks, and that all-important staple: the chocolate Easter bunny. In fact, if you’re just giving out small favors, the chocolate Easter bunny can be a great choice. Another option would be to fill a medium-sized plastic egg with jellybeans, or some other treat. The possibilities are endless. Candy is also a great filler for an Easter basket, whether you want nothing but treats in the basket, or want to fill the edges around another gift. Candy is something that both kids and adults would enjoy, so it’s hard to go wrong.

Games and DVD’s

Games and DVDs can of course be given as an individual present, but they are even more fun as part of an Easter basket. And although Easter movies are not as popular as Christmas movies, properly themed films and shows are available. For example, Chicken Little, Dora the Explorer, and many other cartoons do have Easter specials. In fact, if you know what the child’s favorite cartoon or television show is, you could find the corresponding Easter special and have a fantastic gift. Alternatively, Easter-themed games can also be a great addition to any basket. And once the child hasn’t gotten the gift, they have instant entertainment for your Easter get together, giving all the adults a break!

Activity Books and Art Supplies

Easter is a holiday that can really spark some artistic creativity. After all, egg painting is probably the number one holiday activity among children. So getting activity books and art supplies can be a great follow-up. Put together a box of crayons, some colored construction paper and craft kits and you have a great gift. Or, there are many Easter-themed pop up activity books or coloring books. For example, a coloring or activity book that follows the Easter Bunny on an adventure, or one that shares the story behind Easter. Once again, these items can be given individually, or part of a basket. Either way, it’s another great way to keep the kids entertained and make you their favorite gift-giver.

Easter Outfits

This can be tricky, especially if you’re trying to find the right size, but it can be a lot of fun as well. For example, get them a pair of cute bunny ears, because most of these would come in one size fits all. Or you could get them adorable Easter printed dresses or t-shirts. There are a lot of choices available, and most of them are very budget friendly. Don’t forget that children love costumes, so this could be a really fun, really unique, gift idea!

Stuffed Animals

Who doesn’t love stuffed animals? We’re definitely saving the best for last! Plush toys are hugely in demand during the Easter season. The most obvious example of a good stuffed animal gift would be a plush bunny. After all, Easter is personified with the character of the Easter Bunny, what better way to represent him then with a small, furry, doppelganger? In fact, a rabbit would make a great centerpiece for your Easter Basket. But if the bunny isn’t for you, there are other animals that are traditionally associated with Easter. These are chicks and ducklings. In fact, if you are making a smaller basket, this can be a great option. A baby plush chick or a little baby duck would make a very cute basket centerpiece. Any of these plush animals can also be given as a great individual present. But don’t forget, there’s no reason you have to be this limited when it comes to stuffed animals. Pick one that you’d know they’d like and you’ll have a super fun gift!

So there you go, all those ideas should give you something to work with and take some of the stress off for us adults! You can find an individual gift or a gift basket for practically any budget, and have a truly happy Easter!

Spring is a wonderful time of the year. Not only does it herald the return of sunshine and warmth, but it also brings one of the biggest holidays: Easter! Easter is loved by both adults and children. Adults get to visit with friends and family and eat great food, while children get to go hunting for eggs left by Easter Bunny and receive fun presents. And though the egg hunt is a really great, traditional activity, it is unfortunately not enough to keep the kids happy and busy all Easter Sunday.

Luckily, there are other activities and games you could put together to keep children entertained. So here are some fun Easter activities to keep the kids happy!

Easter Egg Piñata

Pinatas come in all shapes, sizes, and themes, and luckily that includes themes that are appropriate for Easter! Easter is a big holiday, so your local party goods store is sure to have piñatas that are egg, bunny, duck, or chick shaped. Or if you don’t want to buy one pre-made, you could always make your own into any shape you desire. Once you have your piñata, fill it with Easter candy. This can include candy eggs, jelly beans, chocolate bunnies, or something else holiday themed. Or, if you’re worried this is too much sugar, you could mix in some little Easter stuffed animals, like stuffed chicks, plush baby ducks, or stuffed bunnies.

Before actually having the kids take turns trying to break the piñata, you have to set it up. Remember that you must have it at a safe height, because if the objects inside fall from too high of a height there could be an injury. Also, attach it to something sturdy so the whole structure doesn’t come down, because you don’t want the piñata itself falling down and hitting someone. Just remember these tips and you’ll have a fun, safe way to entertain everyone.

Pin the Chick on the Egg

While we’re all aware of the game pin the tail on the donkey, it pays to remember that there are other holiday variations. Pin the chick on the egg is one of these variations. To create, all you need to do is draw an egg on a piece of cardboard. To make it look nicer, you could paint the egg, or cover it with some tissue paper. Then, tape some tweed on the back of the egg so that you have a small hoop to hang the cardboard with. Or you could use hooks you already have for paintings and frames. Hang it someplace that works for you. Some good places are the inside of a door, like the front door or a basement door. Then all you need is the chicks. Get a few small plush chicks, put tape on their bottoms or beak, and lie them down in a box and you are ready for the game.

Obviously, the game is almost the same as pin the tail on the donkey. Tie a blindfold around the first contestants eyes, a small piece of cloth or a clean dishtowel will often work find, and spin them around until they are disoriented. Then tell them they have to find the egg, and pin the chick to its top. Pinned correctly, and it looks like the chick is coming out of the top of the egg. Let the other kids cheer them on and yell out guidance as they try to pin the chick. This game has the advantage of being easy to play and set up, and can keep the kids entertained for a fair amount of time. For a prize, you could give the little chick to the child who manages to pin it correctly at the top of the egg.

So there you go! These two fun and simple to set up games will keep the children at your Easter gathering happy and entertained. Not only will these activities be fun for everyone to watch, but they will also create memories of a great holiday that these children will remember for years to come. Happy Easter!

Easter is a wonderful holiday, especially for children. Family and friends have a great excuse to get together, and there’s great food and games. The games are key, as Easter is a time of the year that children really look forward to. After all, every year they expect the Easter Bunny to hide eggs, baskets, and/or treats, that they can than go and find.

So with such high expectations, what can we do to keep the kids happy and entertained? Why, games of course! Here is a list of some of the best Easter day games, guaranteed to meet both kids and parents expectations for a wonderful Easter.

The Egg Hunt

As already mentioned above, one of the most anticipated games of Easter is the Egg Hunt. In fact, it doesn’t matter if you have a small home or the weather isn’t cooperating for you to hide the eggs outside. An egg hunt doesn’t actually need a lot of space to still be fun. All you really need is creativity, and a half hour to an hour to play the game.

Just remember when you’re hiding eggs: don’t make the game to difficult! Hide them in easy to reach places, such as under bed or couch pillows, or behind the stuffed animals in a child’s room. This is a great hiding place because these soft toys are safe for children to be around, as stuffed lions, teddy bears, and other plush animals don’t have sharp corners or require kids to climb to get to them. The inside of shoes can also be a really fun hiding place, just make sure that the shoes you put the eggs in aren’t going to be worn, or you may find yourself with a mess! Remember, it’s very important to hide them in places within a child’s reach, because climbing sets them up for a fall, and safety should always be your foremost concern for children.

Also, just because the game is called an “egg hunt” doesn’t mean you have to just stick with eggs. Hide a stuffed rabbit in the home also, and tell them that the Easter Bunny left them a cousin of his to play with. In fact, you can use many things besides eggs. One really popular idea is hiding an Easter basket or baskets. You can fill the basket with candy (chocolate bunny rabbits, jellybeans, etc) and toys, like another stuffed bunny or a plush duckling. If you’ve got several children, and you want to make sure that they each get a basket, put each child’s name on one basket and tell them that they have to find the one that’s for them. This will most certainly be a great start to your Easter holiday!

Easter crafts

After the excitement and chaos of the Egg Hunt, it’s nice to have an activity for the kids that will wind everyone down, which is where doing Easter crafts come in. This is also great because it doesn’t require as much supervision as the egg hunt, and so is a little break for everyone. All you really need is some paper and crayons and the children can create all sorts of Easter related masterpieces. You can even give them some artistic inspiration by creating a display for them to base their pictures on. The display could have painted eggs, some chicks and a bunny.

Then you can make things as structured or unstructured as you’d like. Let them use their imaginations and draw anything they want about Easter, or tell them what do draw, such as painted eggs with chicks cracking through the shell, or a picture of the Easter bunny hiding eggs. You could even turn this into a contest, with the first prize drawing winning the bunny in the display, the second prize winning the chick, and everyone else getting the eggs as a consolidation prize.

The egg hunt and the arts and craft projects are very traditional Easter games, but you can make them more fun than usual by adding plush chicks and a stuffed bunny to motivate the children even more. Remember, there’s a lot you can do to make your Easter holiday one that all the kids will have fond memories of, just follow some of these simple ideas!

Easter is a big holiday, but few know all about its origin. We know that the Easter bunny comes on Easter and delivers eggs, but where did such a tradition come from? The following article will answer those questions and satisfy our personal curiosity, and give you the knowledge to answer children’s many questions on the holiday. Here is some general information on Easter itself, the Easter Bunny, and the tradition of Easter eggs.

Easter

Easter, while gaining popularity as a secular holiday with the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs, is primarily an important Christian holiday. Easter is connected to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which happened over a three day period according to Christian faith. The day Jesus was crucified is called Good Friday, and Easter Sunday itself takes place on the day he came back to life.

Unlike the other big Christian holiday Christmas, Easter does not have a fixed date. Instead, according to Wikipedia, it falls on or after the winter equinox, March 21. From there it is calculated following the cycle of the moon. Because of this volitality, sometimes different types of Christians celebrate Easter on difference days, depending on if they are Orthodox, Catholic, or something else.

The Easter Bunny

The legend of the Easter Bunny says a rabbit brings gifts to children the night before Easter Sunday. Specifically he brings colorful eggs and candy. As for where this idea originated, that is unknown. One theory, according to Wikipedia, is that the bunny originated with a spring children’s game in the 1700’s where a being named the Oschter Haws would leave colorful eggs for good children in a nest they had built out of garments. Supposedly, over the years this idea has evolved into the more famous egg hunt.

You may have noticed that Easter decorations overwhelmingly involve the bunny rabbit, with stuffed bunnies, bunny figurines, and tons of other bunny-related items. As for why a rabbit was chosen to represent Easter, this is because few animals symbolize the season of spring better. The bunny is known for its extraordinary fertility, and spring is a time of new life, as everything begins to bloom again. This is why the Easter Bunny seems so appropriate for this spring holiday.

The Easter Eggs

Fertility really is one of the main themes of spring, which is why eggs are also an icon of the Easter holiday. The new life theme is so important that people didn’t stop with just eggs, many decorations also include little chicks and plush ducks too.
Though fertility seems to be something of a pagan idea, the egg tradition also has its roots in Christianity. The blood of Jesus was said to have spread over some eggs that were placed at the bottom of the cross he was on, where it painted the eggs red. So that’s where the idea of painting the eggs came from. In fact, further in to the tradition, once the eggs have been painted red, Christians were supposed to tap them and say an Easter incantation praising Jesus’ resurrection.

Obviously, the color choices for the eggs have evolved from the original red to multi-colored, and often pastel, but you can see where the tradition originally came from. In fact, the egg tapping itself has transformed into a different game where you tap until you find the hardest egg. In this game, the egg that survives the most taps without breaking wins.

So there you have it! The holiday of Easter has a long and interesting tradition that has evolved greatly overtime. Now that you are armed with the knowledge, you’ll be able to answer any questions those curious children you know may have. This will also help you find the most appropriate stuffed bunnies and bunny figurines to mimic the Easter Bunny. Have a happy holiday!

Some of us may think that stuffed animals are a thing of the past, as they no longer seem to be the “it” toy. You may often decide to not give a stuffed animal for a gift, and instead get something more practical, because after all, what point does a plush toy have? What reason is there to get a stuffed animal?

The answer to that is: plenty. Stuffed animals can be very meaningful, and symbolize important events or people. This is truly a timeless gift, and we all need to be reminded of that! Let’s look at why plush toys are important in the lives of three particular age groups: kids, teenagers, and adults.

Kid's Symbols

There is no such thing as too many stuffed animals for children. Kids love collecting plush toys of all kinds, and they could always use more. What could possibly symbolize the innocence of childhood better than a soft and lovable stuffed animal? In our own childhood, we probably spent many a night cuddling up to our favorite plush bunny or bear. Children enjoy the comfort of a stuffed animal, and that comfort is a great nightmare repellant! In fact, those who say that stuffed animals aren’t in “it” toy anymore, haven’t been paying attention to what’s happening in the world of little girls. Plush animals are darn right “fashionable” for girls to have. Many girls will get a natural appearing plush cat or plush dog, just so they can carry it around in their little purses as they emulate fashionable women carrying around their small pets. Stuffed toys have certainly not gone out of style!

Teenager's Symbols

Teenagers may not play with toys any more, but stuffed toys aren’t just a toy. They are a confidant and a comfort. In fact, many teenage girls have more animals now than they did when they were young. This is because stuffed animals often symbolize love or a crush. They are keepsakes. For example, a teenage girl will really cherish that little plush dolphin that her boyfriend gave her because he knows that dolphins are her favorite animals. Or maybe her father gives her a stuffed bear as she’s on the way out the door for college, so she will never be alone.

But it’s not just girls who can cherish plush animals. Teenage boys can also enjoy them a lot too. Boys often keep them as a reminder of something they did that was brave or impressive. For example, maybe they love keeping around that stuffed tiger they received after winning a sports game. Or maybe they have a huge stuffed lion they won at a boardwalk after proving their prowess at a darts game or baseball stand. To them, stuffed animals are a symbol of accomplishment and pride.

Adult's Symbols

Lastly, stuffed animals can also be enjoyed by adults, though for different reasons than the kids and teenagers enjoy them. The majority of adults use stuffed toys as a decorative item. They will search for natural, classy appearing plush toy figurines or stuffed animals that can add little touches to their home or vacation home. For example, a dolphin plushie in their vacation home on the ocean, or a tiger to make their home more exotic and fit in with a jungle theme. Hallways and entrances can be embellished with stuffed lions, black bears, or even plush dogs as decoration to give a unique touch. Part of this too, is that plush toys for adults are more of a collectible than a toy. Many adults are true collectors, who have large collections to capture that nostalgic feeling from childhood. In fact, it’s not uncommon to realize someone you knows has kept an old teddy bear for 20 years because of the meanings it carries.

So as you can see, stuffed animals will never go out of style for any age group. They continue to symbolize and carry meaning of all kinds. Never discount the importance of stuffed animals!