{"id":23345,"date":"2016-05-30T15:30:25","date_gmt":"2016-05-30T14:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fractuslearning.com\/?p=23345"},"modified":"2023-03-27T06:09:52","modified_gmt":"2023-03-27T11:09:52","slug":"stuffed-animals-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fractuslearning.com\/stuffed-animals-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"7 of the Best Stuffed Animals for Lovable Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As an enduring favorite with most kids, I know stuffed animals hold a special place in many children’s hearts. I found many children still have their most treasured toys when they reach adulthood. While they might not look as plush or as brightly colored as when first purchased, they are still much loved \u2013 even with a few missing limbs! As a plush stuffed animal toys fan, I know they are the perfect companion for babies, toddlers, and older children. Parents usually find their children stuffed animals to comfort them at night, but many toys also have some interesting learning opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When looking to buy a stuffed toy, I found it’s important to choose products from reputable manufacturers rather than cheap imports. This is because they use quality materials to make these toys, reducing the risk of parts coming loose during play and posing a choking hazard to a baby or young child. With such a huge assortment of stuffed animals to choose from, it can be overwhelming, but here is my list of some fantastic toys and a few educational extras. <\/p>\n\n\n

Stuffed Animals Who Love to Learn<\/span><\/h2>\n\n

1. LeapFrog My Pal Scout<\/a><\/h3>\n\n
\n
\"LeapFrog<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The LeapFrog My Pal Scout<\/a> is one of the cutest stuffed animals for kids. Scout is soft and cuddly but capable of teaching younger children all sorts of useful things, including first words, colors, numbers, feelings, and emotions. Scout will learn your child\u2019s name \u2013 in fact, you can personalize him while he is still in the box! Connect Scout to a smartphone, computer, or tablet and personalize your child\u2019s learning experience. Scout is pre-programmed with more than 40 different lullabies and songs, so your child can sing along during the day or be soothed into sleep at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\nI purchased the LeapFrog My Pal Scout for my 2-year-old son, and he was immediately obsessed with it. I personalized it with his name and he loves hearing Scout say it. It’s amazing how quickly he learned his colors and numbers from playing with this toy.\nIf you’re specifically looking for a toy with emotional intelligence learning capabilities, then the Boogaloo Andy Anteater is the top pick. However, for broader educational benefits like language development and basic math skills, the LeapFrog My Pal Scout would be my choice.\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

2. Mother Goose Animated Soft Plush Toy<\/a><\/h3>\n\n
\n
\"Mother<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The Mother Goose soft plush toy<\/a> made by Baby Love is a beautifully animated stuffed toy goose straight from the magical world of fairytales. The Mother Goose animated toy reads aloud five classic nursery rhymes, including Jack & Jill, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Humpty Dumpty, Little Bo Peep, and Hickory Dickory Dock. Your child can learn to sing along to the rhymes, and because the toy is animated, it will hold the attention of a small child for ages. It should even stop them crying!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\nThe Mother Goose animated toy was a lifesaver during a long car ride with my toddler. He was so entranced by the animations and nursery rhymes that he didn’t make a peep for hours.\nWhile the LeapFrog My Pal Scout is a great educational toy, I found that the Mother Goose Animated Soft Plush Toy was better for little ones who are just learning to speak. The classic nursery rhymes and clear pronunciations helped my son learn new words quickly.\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

3. Sesame Street Talking ABC Elmo<\/a><\/h3>\n\n
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\"Sesame<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Everyone loves Sesame Street, so a talking Elmo toy makes a great gift for kids. Talking ABC Elmo from Sesame Street<\/a> is a firm favorite with children who love stuffed animals. Strictly speaking, Elmo is not an animal, but he is great fun to play with, so we will give him the benefit of the doubt. The Sesame Street Talking ABC Elmo is made from high-quality materials and is 100% safe for kids of all ages. He sings a cute alphabet song, so kids can learn their ABCs when they play with him. Elmo also talks, which will help to encourage early speech. He is also very cuddly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\nCompared to other talking toys on the market, I found that the Sesame Street Talking ABC Elmo was more engaging for my daughter. The fact that it was lightweight and easy to carry around made it a hit for playdates and long car rides.\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

4. Melissa & Doug Giant Tiger Lifelike Stuffed Animal<\/a><\/h3>\n\n
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\"\"\/<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The Melissa & Doug Giant Tiger<\/a> is over 5 feet tall, more than enough for snuggling and cuddling from toddler to teen. This plush tiger is so realistic looking with its beautiful markings and tiger details that you could mistake it for the real thing. Thankfully, its main attack strategy is to be hugged and cuddled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s huge, and I found kids love to play with it. Any child will adore this plush toy as a gift, and the soft polyester fabric is cuddly and durable, perfect for a child’s bedroom with a wildlife or animal theme. Beautifully designed this stuffed animal is made for imaginative play, fun adventures, and bedtime hugs. In addition, it may inspire kids to learn all about the Siberian tiger and other wildlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\nAs a teacher, I’m always looking for educational toys to recommend to parents. The Melissa & Doug Giant Tiger stuffed animal is perfect for teaching kids about endangered species while still being fun and cuddly.\nFor kids who love animals, I recommend the Siberian Tiger plush toy is an excellent choice as it provides educational value about endangered species.\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

5. Giant Panda with Baby Stuffed Animal Toy<\/a><\/h3>\n\n
\n
\"Giant<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Stuffed animals do not come much cuter than the Giant Panda with Baby Panda<\/a>. This is a high-quality toy for younger children. It is incredibly detailed, and the fur is super soft. Pop it in your baby\u2019s cot, or let your toddler take it to bed. The baby panda is detachable, so children can play with it separately. As well as a soft, cuddly giant panda and baby toy, your child will also receive an endangered species e-book, so he can learn more about the plight of some of the world\u2019s most endangered species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\nWhen I saw the Giant Panda with Baby Panda stuffed animal, I knew I had to get it for my niece who loves animals. She adores the softness of the fur and enjoys reading the endangered species e-book that came with it.\nWhile many of these stuffed animals are great options for learning, some might not be suitable for younger children. The Giant Panda with Baby Panda toy has detachable parts that could potentially present a choking hazard, so it’s important to supervise your child’s play with it.\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

6. Stuffed Chihuahua Dog Toy<\/a><\/h3>\n\n
\n
\"Stuffed<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Is your child desperate for a pet dog? If so, the stuffed Chihuahua dog from I-Best<\/a> is a fantastic stepping stone to test the water. This is a perfectly formed pet Chihuahua toy so lifelike it looks just like the real thing, except it doesn\u2019t need to be fed and you won\u2019t need to take it for a walk! The I-Best Chihuahua is ideal for kids who want a pet dog, but are not old enough to take care of such a demanding pet. Emulation toys such as the I-Best pet Chihuahua teach children a sense of responsibility. Let your child take care of his pet Chihuahua. He can take it for a walk and cuddle up to it at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\nMy daughter begged me for a pet dog, but as a single mom, I didn’t have the time or energy to take care of one. The I-Best Chihuahua was the perfect solution. She takes it everywhere she goes and even pretends to walk it on a leash!\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

7. The Petting Zoo Anteater Stuffed Animal<\/a><\/h3>\n\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The Anteater Stuffed Toy from The Petting Zoo<\/a> is great fun for kids. This adorable anteater is very cuddly to hug. Its lifelike size makes it a great toy for learning about wildlife and sparking curiosity and interest in animals not commonly known to young children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Made from about 17 recycled plastic bottles, this Wild Onez anteater plush toy will last for years. The stuffed animal is also an excellent educational tool for children promoting environmental consciousness while providing companionship and comfort. While cuddling the cute anteater, parents can teach children about the importance of sustainability, reducing waste, and the importance of preserving the natural environment and protecting anteaters and wildlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\nI was hesitant about buying the Wild Onez Anteater Stuffed Animal Toy, but I’m so glad I did! Watching my baby hug and cuddle this lifelike size anteater and listning wide-eyed to me explaning about anteaters has been the highlight of my week.\nIf you’re looking for something more unique, the Petting Zoo Anteater is a great option. I love that it is made from recycled botttles that helps kids learn about protecting wildlife and preserving their environment.\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Educational stuffed animals make ideal gifts for babies and children. They encourage cognitive development and soon become firm favorites. However, you do need to ensure you are buying a quality toy. Look for toys that are made locally, or buy from a reputable retailer, as quality really counts with toys designed for younger children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feature image courtesy of Flickr, JD Hancock<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As an enduring favorite with most kids, I know stuffed animals hold a special place in many children’s hearts. I found many children still have their most treasured toys when they reach adulthood. While they might not look as plush…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1269,"featured_media":23472,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"Stuffed animals are a firm favourite with young children. But did you know they can be used for learning? Here' a few with some great educational extras!","_seopress_robots_index":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3732,3743],"tags":[],"acf":[],"modified_by":"Retha Groenewald","taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":3732,"label":"Parent's Corner"},{"value":3743,"label":"Toys and Play"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.fractuslearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/stuffed-animals-learning-1024x614.jpg",1024,614,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Laura Ginn","author_link":"https:\/\/www.fractuslearning.com\/author\/lginn\/"},"comment_info":1,"category_info":[{"term_id":3732,"name":"Parent's Corner","slug":"parents-corner","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":4145,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":331,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":3732,"category_count":331,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Parent's Corner","category_nicename":"parents-corner","category_parent":0},{"term_id":3743,"name":"Toys and Play","slug":"toys-play","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":4155,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":296,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":3743,"category_count":296,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Toys and Play","category_nicename":"toys-play","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fractuslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23345"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fractuslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fractuslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fractuslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1269"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fractuslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23345"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.fractuslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23345\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fractuslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23472"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fractuslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23345"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fractuslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23345"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fractuslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23345"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}