Soft toys & plush toys

Soft toys and plush toys for babies and children who need something cosy to cuddle

Soft toys and plush toys are often among the toys that stay with a child for a long time. They are there at bedtime, tucked under an arm on the way out the door, and quickly become a familiar part of both playtime and quiet moments throughout the day. Here you will find soft toys and plush toys for babies, toddlers and older children. When choosing one, it is especially helpful to consider the child’s age, the size of the toy, the materials and how easy it is to keep clean.

For the youngest children, small or medium-sized baby soft toys without loose parts are usually the most obvious choice. As the child grows, a larger plush toy can be lovely for role play, comfort and as the teddy that always has to come along to bed. If you are choosing a gift, soft toys and plush toys are also a safe classic, because they feel personal, are easy to use in everyday life and often earn a special place with the child.

Which soft toys and plush toys suit the child’s age?

The child’s age matters a lot when choosing soft toys and plush toys. For a baby, the most important thing is usually that the toy is light, soft and easy to hold. For children under 3 years, many parents choose styles without small plastic parts, hard decorative details or anything else that may feel less suitable in daily use. Embroidered eyes and noses are often a good choice, as they give a simple and calm expression.

For children around 1-3 years, small cuddly animals and soft plush toys are often just right. They are easy to bring along to bed, in the pram or in a bag for nursery or preschool. From age 3 and up, there is often room for larger plush teddies or soft toys with more personality, which can become part of imaginative play and little everyday stories.

If you are unsure about the size, you can use this as a guide:

• Mini and small soft toys are well suited to little hands and are easy to take on the go.
• Medium sizes often work well as both a bedtime teddy and a playmate.
• Large bedtime plush toys are good for older children who like to snuggle close with their teddy.

What makes soft toys and plush toys feel safer in everyday use

When a soft toy is close to the child every day, many naturally look at both materials and safety. Plush should feel soft and comfortable against the skin, and the filling should ideally be even, so the toy keeps its shape even when it is cuddled, carried around and washed again and again.

It can offer extra peace of mind to choose products that are CE marked, or materials made according to gentle standards such as OEKO-TEX. This is especially reassuring when choosing soft toys for babies and young children, who spend a lot of time very close to their toys. Washability also matters more than you might think. A soft toy that can go in the machine at low temperatures is simply easier to keep fresh in a busy everyday life with milk, dummies, crumbs, dirty fingers and lots of cuddles.

Many also choose soft toys with short or dense plush, as they are often easier to keep looking nice than styles with very long fur. It is not only about appearance, but also about what works best in everyday family life.

Soft toys and plush toys as a long-lasting gift idea

If you are looking for a gift for a baby shower, a newborn visit, a christening or a birthday, soft toys and plush toys are a choice most people are happy to receive. You do not have to get a specific size right, as you do when buying clothes, and a soft teddy can quickly become something the child grows attached to. A rabbit, elephant, bear or another little animal friend can easily be both a gift and a steady companion at the same time.

For newborns and young babies, a smaller, simple soft toy in calm colours is often a good place to start. For preschool children, a larger plush toy or a character with more personality can be a lovely gift, because it also becomes part of their play. If you would like to gather more soft favourites, soft toys can also be combined with other baby toys or more classic toys, depending on the child’s age.

When the teddy is used for both bedtime and play

Some soft toys almost live in the bed, while others come along from the bedroom to the living room and on into the car. That is why it makes sense to think about what the toy will mainly be used for. A bedtime teddy should be extra soft and comforting to lie close to, while a plush toy for daytime play may benefit from a little more volume, so it is easy for small hands to hold and move around.

If you want to make bedtime feel a little calmer, a teddy can be a lovely part of the evening routine together with soft bedding and gentle light from one of our lamps. In that way, the teddy becomes not just a toy, but also a small part of the comfort the child recognises at bedtime.

How to choose the right soft toys and plush toys

If you want to make the choice easier, you can start with three simple questions: Who is the toy for? What will it be used for? And how easy should it be to wash? This makes it easier to decide whether to choose a small baby teddy, a washable plush toy for nursery use or a larger soft toy for bedtime cuddles.

A good choice is often a soft toy that:

• suits the child’s age and motor skills
• is made from soft and comfortable materials
• does not have unnecessary small parts for the youngest children
• can withstand everyday use and repeated washing

At House of Kids, the selection is chosen with an eye for soft materials, everyday functionality and products that make sense in children’s lives. This makes it easier to find soft toys and plush toys that are both lovely to give and wonderful to have as a natural part of the family.