8 posts tagged “toys”

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!

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 right present for the women in your life isn’t always easy. You can waste a lot of time searching aimlessly for the perfect gift, and there are almost too many options out there! In order to keep things simple, why not consider getting her a great classic gift? A teddy bear or other plush toy can be a really wonderful gift, or a great supplement to another gift. They are a great present for any woman, regardless of how well you know her. In fact, they can be personalized a great deal for those you are close to, or if you don’t know someone’s likes or dislikes, a plush toy can be a nice neutral gift that anyone can enjoy! And stuffed animals can be great for any age. Remember, overall a teddy bear or other plush toy is a great gift that will rarely go wrong.

Finding Stuffed Animals for Different Ages

Follow these simple rules to get the perfect plush toy for any age group. First, if you have to get a gift for a little girl in the 2 to 12 age range, keep things colorful and magical. For example, you could get her a unicorn or a Pegasus stuffed toy. Or alternatively, maybe you know that they really want a pet, like a dog or a cat, but their parents don’t think they are ready for the responsibility yet. Get them a plush dog or plush cat as a substitute! If you have a teenager to get a stuffed toy for, get them something with some significance. For example, get them a stuffed tiger or lion to import courage or strength. This can be an especially great idea for a graduation, or some other milestone. Or maybe you have to get a gift for a lady that’s 20 years old or above. Consider getting the great classic gift of a teddy bear! This can be an especially great idea if you want to get her some flowers or chocolate too. You can even have the teddy bear hold them! Or alternatively, get her a stuffed animal that can be decorative for her home or office. This can be anything, from a plush cat to a stuffed squirrel, as long as the toy is classical and natural looking.

Finding Stuffed Animals for Different Occasions

Always consider the occasion when you’re getting someone a stuffed animal. This can include basics like getting an animal that’s seasonally appropriate, such as a polar bear for the winter holidays or an eagle for Independence Day, but it can also include personalization. A stuffed animal appropriate to all seasons and occasions would be a teddy bear, but you can really make it special by personalizing the toy. Get the gift recipient’s initial stitched on the teddy’s paw or chest. Or if it’s too difficult to personalize with the occasion, make the toy special by linking it to their passion instead. Here’s some examples. Maybe she loves cats or dogs, so get her a plush set of them. Or maybe you know she’s interested in exotic travel and wants to see a jungle some day. Get her a stuffed tiger or plush leopard. She’ll be very pleased to realize how well you know her, and appreciate the cute way you’ve found to personify her passion.

Finding Stuffed Animals for Different Personalities

It’s very important to find a stuffed plush animal that will speak to your lady’s personality. For example, you may be considering the cute teddy bear with a bow tie, but maybe the woman in your life is a nature lover. She’d be much more likely to appreciate a stuffed bear that’s realistic, natural, and based on one in the wild. Or maybe she’s talkative and lively. That type of personality would probably appreciate a stuffed teddy that’s as colorful as she is. Or, if you know a lady with a more reserved personality, get her a more classical teddy bear that’s brown or white, or maybe a natural-looking plush cat. Or, if she’s dynamic but serious, get her a plush horse or something else that would make a good decorative piece and be useful. Or, for the last example, maybe she’s got a great sense of humor. Get her a fun stuffed monkey that she’d be sure to appreciate!

Stuffed animals are a great gift for women, because they are fun and easy to personalize, and nothing makes a woman happier than realizing that you’ve been paying attention! So remember, always get a plush toy for the women in your life by paying attention to their age, personality, and the occasion they are celebrating.

December has rolled around again and it’s time for another holiday season. As usual, we have to come up with new and innovative presents for family and friends. This is why the children’s gift basket is such a great idea; it lets you display presents in a novel fashion, and in such a way that doesn’t have to break your bank either.

After part 1 you should have almost everything you need. This article will complete the step by step instructions, and show you how easy and fun it can be to make a home-made gift basket! Now we can go on to the final step: decorating the basket! Don’t forget to have some colorful wrapping paper and tape on hand during the decorating process.

Step 3 – Putting the Basket Together

This is the last step to create that perfect children’s gift. Let’s use my niece’s basket as an example, but remember, you can be as creative with the individual pieces as you want to be. For this particular gift I got some chocolate candies, a scarf and hat set, and a plush cat as the foundation, as this happens to be her favorite animal. (Remember, it’s very easy to personalize these gift baskets). To start with, get some red wrapping paper to lay on the bottom of the basket, and sprinkle some of the candy over it, leaving a hole in the center for the plush cat. Next, put the stuffed animal in the basket, and attempt to position it so that part of it is hanging outside of the basket. This is more difficult if the stuffed animal you chose is in a lying position. In that case, try to raise the inside of the basket before placing the candy by folding in some more wrapping paper under the lining, so that the cat (or whatever animal you choose) is in an elevated position. Then place the candy around it.

Next, it’s time to include the hat and scarf. Because kid’s clothes are small, you can put the hat and the scarf on the stuffed cat, for a cute look. Obviously, I’m using winter accessories because this is a winter holiday, but you can be creative depending on the season. For example, if you know a child who has a birthday in the summer, you could dress up the plush toy with a baseball hat, sunglasses, and a colorful necktie instead. Once everything has been placed, it’s time to finish decorating. For my basket to my niece I’m going to place a garland around the edges for some extra holiday spirit, but you can be as creative as you like. To finish off, place the basket on a large piece of wrapping paper, and bring the corners of the paper up to the top, and tie it all together with a big red bow.

And your done! As you can see it doesn’t take much to make a really great present for kids, and you can even save some money when you plan ahead. If you have several kids to get gifts for this can really work, because buying in bulk is often cheaper. Buy a family sized bag of candy to use on all of the presents, or look for buy one get one 50% off deals. Many websites even have buy one get one free deals on stuffed animals! As you can see, this is a great way to get a fantastic gift, and still not break your budget!

The holiday season is a favorite time of the year for many. Some like the decorations, some like the food, some like the gifts, and others enjoy all the great company and fun parties. But no one enjoys the holidays quite like the children. After all, they can enjoy the snow, gifts, food, and fun without having to worry about any of the adult responsibilities that go with it!

If you want to put together a great present that will make the holidays extra special for the (well-behaved) children in your life, consider getting together a kid’s gift basket. This particular present comes with a lot of advantages. It is a relatively simple concept, which leaves you with lots of room to personalize the basket in a way that is assured to put a smile on the child’s face. You can make the gift practical, (if you want to keep the parents happy) or whimsical. Gift baskets can also be a great way to save money if you have more than one child to buy for, which I will explain more on later. The first step is to build the basket. Below are step by step instructions on how to do so.

Step 1 - Deciding on the Contents

Your first step should always be deciding on what you want to put in the basket. This way you will know what size basket to get, and how to decorate it. You could get things like mittens, hats, scarves, gloves, chocolate, candy, arts and crafts items, and of course, stuffed animals. Candy is usually a welcome item within a basket, but for those who want to avoid it, consider substituting crayons and other arts and crafts items instead. This keeps things fun, but is easier on their teeth.

A really great center piece for any gift basket would be a stuffed animal, because what kid doesn’t love plush toys? You could get any animal that fits their personality, like a plush lion, teddy bear, rabbit, or even a dolphin. Imagine using a penguin as the centerpiece of your gift basket, and then filling the basket with holiday themed candy. There’s a lot you can do with plush toys, so be creative! Find a stuffed animal that’s appropriate for them and it will really make the gift basket in to something special.

Step 2 - Finding the Right Basket

After you’ve decided on the content, you can go find the perfect basket. Remember to keep things simple, and keep to the classical wood look. You might be tempted to a get a highly decorated container, but keep in mind that once you fill it, the basket could end up looking too busy. Find a basket that will easily fit everything you’ve decided to fill it with. You can do this easier by thinking about the volume of the plush toy you chose, as this is probably the item that is the largest, so you should be able to pick a container based on the stuffed animal’s size, and avoid overcrowding.

Now that you’ve got all the ingredients together to a make a really great gift basket for kids, consider what you’ll need to decorate it and finish putting everything together. Most likely you will need things like wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and maybe even some stickers to make things really fun. Most of these items will be necessary to really give your gift some extra polish. Decorating the basket will be explained more fully in part two of this article, so stay tuned.

With the cold winter season coming up we’re all bound to miss the warm days of summer. No longer will we be able to do anything or go anywhere just be slipping on a pair of sandals. When we brave the cold, we’ll have to bundle up in our coats, scarves, mittens, hats, and boots. Things are much more difficult. Not to mention there are a lot of places we just plain can’t go during the winter, like beaches and amusement parks.

In fact, amusement parks are a big part of the summer experience, and they are lots of fun. Some people are thrill seekers, and are there for the rides. They are happy waiting in lines all day for the big roller coaster. Others are there for the boardwalk and the games contained within. Those people are easy to spot, dragging around giant stuffed animals as their prizes. You know that there is no way they are able to take those massive prizes along on the rides, and they certainly won’t fit in any locker available at the park. To them, the prizes, and the road to the prize, are much more fun than any roller coaster.

This is probably something you consider when getting some plush toys as Christmas gifts for family and friends. After all, some of these people probably already have big collections of stuffed animals from their amusement park prizes. What’s the difference between an amusement park plush toy, and one that you can give as a gift? You’ll be surprised to hear that the difference is quite substantial, with the gift being the far nicer stuffed animal.

Here’s one example. The piles of stuffed animals you bring home end up stacked up in a closet somewhere, out of sight and out of mind. However, a stuffed toy that was a gift has much more meaning. It reminds us of the occasion when we received it, and the person who gave it to us. It’s a memory. We don’t put these plush toys in a closet somewhere to collect dust, because they are meaningful.

It’s also true that most stuffed animals from amusement parks are not high quality. After all, the people who run the games are trying to cut costs wherever they can! In fact, these plush animals are often very cheap looking, almost goofily so. But stuffed animals that are given as a gift, or even ones that we buy ourselves, are of much higher quality. They’re soft and fluffy and expertly made from higher quality materials, and they are more realistic. For example, take this story. I once won a plush cat at a carnival. I love cats, but was very disappointed once I got it. The stitching was loose, and by the time we got to the car the cat was already losing its shape. I fared much better with the stuffed cat my sister gave me that Christmas. It was of much higher quality, and very natural appearing, and I still have it to this day.

Plush toys are always good, but there is definitely a difference in quality available. Plus, stuffed animals given as gifts have a great deal more meaning than anything that you could win. It’s like the difference between giving a gift card and taking someone out yourself. Taking them out for a nice dinner and paying for it has so much more meaning than just sending them out by themselves. This way they will always remember the time they spent with you.

So remember, even if you know that someone already has a lot of stuffed animals, know that there is no such thing as too many plush toys. After all, they don’t have one from you!

Buying a gift can be a headache. You can spend hours searching for something that will be really nice, and the aggravation and exhaustion can be horrible. But all is not hopeless; one great idea is to get your recipient a stuffed animal. This can be a nice gift for either a child or an adult. Read on to find out more.

No one would argue that kids love toys. Obviously, a plush animal would be great gift for them, but as an extra bonus it can also be educational. While a teddy bear is always nice, it might be to their benefit to get them something a little more unusual, such as some kind of forest animal. You could get them a stuffed moose or a plush wolf, and this would educate them on the features of these animals, and maybe even spur them on to learn more. With the moose, they will begin to understand that it is a distinct animal from a male deer. With the wolf, they will finally begin to understand that there is a relationship between wild dogs and wolves, as they have very similar features. Or, you could give them a chipmunk and then follow up the gift with a trip to the park. This would give them the opportunity to identify squirrels and chipmunks as two distinct and separate entities, and could be a lot of fun!

Finding something for adults can be even harder, especially if you want something more than candles or their preferred perfume. A stuffed animal can be a fun gift for adults too. They are a great collector’s item, or can be a good piece with which to decorate the home. Vacation homes can be an especially good place to decorate with a stuffed animal, because it can help create a unifying theme. Let’s say you’re getting a gift for someone who has a summer home in the mountains, get them a plush fox or a stuffed squirrel. Or maybe they have a beach house. In that case, get them a plush dolphin, or maybe a stuffed seagull. Get them a toy big enough to really draw the eye, and they could place it somewhere centrally located, like the couch. This can really authenticate their décor theme!

It’s also possible to give a stuffed animal to a close friend, and make the gift incredibly personal. Identify a defining trait that person has, and get a plush toy to personify their personality. For example, say your friend is a sweet talker who steals women’s hearts, get him a stuffed raccoon. These animals are often called the “Romeo” of the forest with their bandit mask markings. Or maybe your close friend is fun and energetic: get them a lively stuffed monkey. This kind of gift is sure to amuse everyone who knows them.

For these reasons, plush toys can really be a fun, and meaningful, gift. Not only are they snuggly enough for kids to play with, but they also can teach them, and motivate them to learn, about animals and the natural world. For adults, they are either great collector’s items or fun home décor. As for your close friends, they can really be a good way to encapsulate their personality. Remember, whenever you have an occasion to get a gift, think first about stuffed animals. It may save you time, and a headache!

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 my one of 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.