BLOG

The Year of the Plushy!

What a year our toy buyer Audrey has had! The world of plush toys has greatly expanded with so many new, exciting and unexpected choices. Yes, we do have traditional Teddy Bears and Tigers who are ready to be a child's new best friend. And we also have surprising choices like Axolotls, Cacti, or a bowl of Ramen for a child or the child at heart that may have a different vision for a beloved toy.

At Whole Earth you'll find a plush toy that's the right size for small arms to hold, carry and for snuggling at bedtime, a friend with whom a child can share joys and be comforted in scary or difficult situations. We also have puppets for hands and fingers made for home theatrical productions or dramatic monologues. Some of our plushies are made for the very young, others for older children and even adults

Do you have a favorite brand of plush toys? Some brands like Douglas Cuddle Toys and Wild Republic have been customer favorites for years. Both companies offer a wide selection of wild animals, Dogs, Cats and other creatures in a variety of sizes. Mary Meyer makes plushies for young children that are easy to hold and can take a bath in the washing machine when necessary. Jellycat and Squishable have pioneered new visions of plush including unusual animals, plants, food items, shapes and more. Warm Pals can be heated in the microwave for warmth or chilled in the freezer to ease fevers or reduce swelling. We also have a fun selection of puppets from Folkmanis, the Puppet Company and Thin Air!

Here are a few of the creatures and creations that are currently inhabiting our stores. You'll find them on shelves, in baskets, relaxing on chairs and popping up in some surprising places. The puppets tend to hang out together on their special stand so you can see them to their best advantage. They are performers after all!

Classic Critters

The classic stuffed toy for well over a century has been the Teddy Bear. You'll find a nice selection of Bears, Pandas and even a Water Bear, aka Tardigrade at Whole Earth. If your child isn't ready for the responsibility of a Dog or Cat, let them practice with a plush companion. If their taste runs to wilder creatures, perhaps a Wolf, Armadillo, Turtle, Frog or a Snake? And you'll even find Butterflies, Bugs and denizens of the deep like an Octopus!

Dinosaurs

For the child who loves Dinosaurs, we have you covered. Some are for young children made with soft materials and minimal details. Others are more 'realistic' and may reflect recent speculation about the colors. The T-Rex is well-represented along with several Stegasaurus and Triceratops, a Yutyrannus, Brontosaurus and Dilophosaurus. Be prepared for Dino drama should they meet one another or spend some quality time with an Octopus, Big Foot or their mythological counterparts - dragons.

Fairy Tale and Legendary Creatures

For the child who loves fairytales and legends give them the gift of a magical friend with whom to share adventures both day and night. We have a good selection of imaginary creatures including Unicorns, Dragons, both real and imaginary, a Griffin, Mermaids, Big Foot or Sasquatch, and a Pixie. An accompanying storybook might be the perfect introduction between child and plushy and be the start of a beautiful friendship.

Unexpected Plushies!

And then there's what we call the Unexpected category. The plush creations that can be found today are quite astonishing! Food seems to be a particularly popular subject. A Burger, Sandwich, Taco, Ice Cream Cone or Shave Ice are ready for the giving. The Campfire and Toasting Marshmallows on a Stick are surprising as are a crowd of Plague Doctors. Looking for a plush trash can? A plush Soccer Ball or our beautiful planet with a smiling face? We've got it! Many of these plushies would make a fun Secret Santa gift for a co-worker.

Wondering how to keep your child's plushy clean? We have a blog for that! And if your child is about to be crowded out of their bed by their favorite plush animals, we have some suggestions on how to store Plushies so they are visible and easily found when they get the invitation to play. So if you're on the hunt for new plush friends for children young and young at heart, come meet the Plushies at Whole Earth!