Forgotten playmates
I often ask people which are the toys they remember most from their childhood. The answers are always very interesting. The toys and the occasions associated with them are so diverse.
It’s usually the really exciting toys that are remembered. The aeroplane that ejected it’s pilot or the huge dolls house that “had absolutely everything”.
However, when I ask people if they still have any of their childhood toys the answer is always the same. It’s their favorite teddy bear or other plush toy that they have kept.
My wife’s old teddy bear still sits in a corner of our bookcase. Like me, he’s aged quite a bit. He’s lost a lot of hair (from being loved so much). His eyes have gone – and are now buttons.
He experienced so much that my wife did as a child. He has vaccination marks sown onto his arms and his chest shines from liberal applications of decongestant rub.
This walking plush toy has travelled so far that his feet have had to be darned!
Friends, companions and confidants
Lend me your ears
Plush toys are toys that children can love. Great friends, they join in children’s games without question and are always available to listen to a youngster’s worries and tales of woe.
Plush toys can travel with your toddler. They are just as eager to join a trip to the supermarket as they are to jump on a jet plane for a vacation.
Plush toys spur the imagination and come to life in a child’s pretend play. Winnie the Pooh and Paddington Bear are both story book characters inspired by real plush toys.
There’s a tremendous diversity of plush toys available today. Creatures and favorite characters of all shapes and sizes. The bright colours and soft textures endear them to children everywhere.
A walking plush toy will listen to your child’s secrets and may help them express their feelings and emotions to you.
Walking plush toys on vacation.
Some friends of mine recently took their three children on vacation to Disney World in Florida.
On the first day, all three children blew their allowances on the large endearing plush toys that were for sale in one of the theme parks. That evening my friends worried about how they were going to transport these toys around and especially how they would get them on the plane home.
Fortunately, the young man who looked after their hotel room came to the rescue, showing great imagination. Each evening when the family arrived back at the resort this young man had arranged the plush toys into an amusing scenario.
One day the toys were gathered around the TV. One held the remote whilst another browsed the TV guide. Another evening they were all in the bathroom. One wore a shower cap and another held a toothbrush.
The scenario I liked the best was their sitting around reading the guides to the various attractions and working out where the family should go next. The large purple dolphin seemed to be particularly attracted to SeaWorld!
Not surprisingly, these antics were a high spot in the kids’ trip. There was never any suggestion that the toys be taken away from the room. On the way back each evening, tantrums were avoided as the children speculated on what tricks the toys would be up to when they arrived.
Of course, the suggested scenarios led to even more imaginative play with these toys. I thought this was a truly wonderful play idea and one we can all utilise by using just a pinch of imagination.
Check points for
Walking plush toys
Your child’s plush toy will no doubt be subject to a lot of love – and wear. Plush toys need to last a long time. So look for quality toys made from strong materials.
When teddy bears hibernate.
When plush toys are put away for a time make sure they are properly protected against weather and preying pests.
Take care when moving house. It’s easy to forget those plush toys that have been left to sleep in a garage or attic.
Choose reputable manufacturers.
Select toys that have character and provoke imaginative reaction from your toddler.
Our youngest son’s favorite plush toy was an 8” panda given to him by a babysitter.First of all, this plush toy was given the unoriginal name of “Panda” but was later called “Eric” after his owner was told a story about a Viking – Eric Bloodaxe.
Eric had a really severe expression with a down turned mouth and closely set eyes. This matched his mood as he tended to ask the most abrupt questions like “Why is this boy still in bed?” and “Why has this boy not buttoned up his coat?”
Our son just laughed at this severe attitude. Maybe it was because of Eric’s sense of responsibility or his strength of character that he was always chosen to comfort our son in times of illness or upset.
When we recently helped our son to move apartment I was pleased to see Eric was still around, tucked away safely in a box.
If you see a large pink rabbit..
A huge plush pink rabbit has been erected on the side of a mountain, Colleto Favo, in northern Italy. It’s intended to stay there for at least another twenty years.
This reclining pink bunny is around 200 feet long and 20 feet deep. It has to be the largest plush toy in the world.
You are allowed to climb up on top of the rabbit and rest on its stomach.
This massive rabbit was created by the Viennese art group “Gelatin”.
I will try and be a good example to three year olds everywhere and so will not ask “Why?”
You’ll find a lot more information on Walking Plush Toys in the following reviews…
Sesame Street Puppets – Meet these educational friends
Hand Puppets for sale – Open up your kid’s imagination
Extra, extra .. read all about it !
We are continually adding to our reviews. Why not check out one of our latest reviews here..
Suggested Toys for Two Year Old Boys – An exciting collection of toys