Choosing a plush toy for a girl is above all a matter of taste, not only for the child but also for the parents. If you want to give your child a pretty cuddly toy to accompany her through the night, you’ll need to consider a few criteria before you buy. Depending on the child’s age, you can opt for a smaller or larger cuddly toy that’s easy to hold. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you narrow down your choice.
If you’d like to know how to choose a plush toy for a boy, go to our previous article.
Cuddly toys: the perfect present for your child
A cuddly toy can accompany your child from birth to early childhood. The size of the cuddly toy will vary according to your daughter’s age. At first, it will be used to decorate her bedroom, then it will become an essential ally in her first games. A young girl marvels at everything around her. She has a great imagination and is looking for emotional attachments, which she will find in a cuddly toy.
In her early years, your child will imitate everything you do to help her understand her environment. Your little girl could, for example, organise a tea party by gathering all her cuddly toys around a table. Or she could embark on an exciting adventure with her playmate… In short, playing with her cuddly toys will help her imagination and creativity run wild. The simple fact of having a cuddly toy is a great joy for her.
What criteria should I take into account?
Here are a few essential criteria when it comes to buying a soft toy for your daughter:
Safety
The cuddly toy you give your daughter must meet very strict safety criteria. You should also pay attention to the age indicated on the label. With this in mind, choose a quality plush with the nF standard, as this will last her a long time. For your daughter’s first few months, give her a plush with short poles. This way, there’s no risk of the long threads getting into her mouth and being swallowed. You also need to be careful about the seams of the plush. These must be strong enough to prevent the stuffing from escaping.
The right dimensions
The cuddly toy should be easy to hold (especially the ends – tail, ear, tag, etc.). The accessory mustn’t be too big, otherwise it won’t fit in the bed. If it’s too small, it could fall out during the night.
Washing
For hygiene reasons, plush toys must be machine washable (30° in a pillowcase with special baby softener). A plus that will appeal to parents! Once you’ve bought a cuddly toy in a shop, it’s always a good idea to wash it first. Here are a few tips: if your daughter has several cuddly toys, wash them one by one rather than all at once. This way, she’ll have a cuddly toy to fall back on while she sleeps. Preferably, clean the plush once a month.
Other things to consider
The colour and material of the cuddly toy will also play a role in your child’s development. Colourful patchwork adds a friendly touch to the cuddly toy. Corduroy adds a dynamic touch to the cuddly toy. What’s more, choose a filling made from recycled fibre. That way, you’re contributing to sustainable development.
Aesthetics and softness are also important factors, as the cuddly toy will keep your daughter company for a long time. The accessory should therefore be soft and pleasant to the touch. A little tip: if your daughter has fallen for a particular cuddly toy, sleep with it for a few hours. That way, she’ll get used to your smell.
The different shapes
– The flat cuddly toy: this is a square of velvety fabric with an animal’s head and wrapped around the ends. Ideal for babies, it’s easy to hold. It often comes with a teething ring or dummy clip.
– The puppet comforter: the puppet creates a powerful bond with the child. You can slip your hand into it to entertain your daughter, or stroke it to lull her to sleep. A soft toy puppet can also be used to teach your little girl as she grows older.
– Cuddly toys: these can be in the shape of animals such as rabbits, bears, etc. and come in a wide range of sizes, from 15 cm to 100 cm. Choose a cuddly toy suited to your child’s age.
– Dolls: light and soft, they’ll fill your daughter with wonder.
– Dummy clip: practical and lightweight, this type of soft toy comes with a strap to hold your child’s dummy.
A soft toy in the shape of an animal for playtime
During the first few months of life, your baby will never stop looking at the cuddly toy waving above his eyes. Of course, this will delight your daughter and calm her down if she’s in the middle of a crying fit. The cuddly toy is an ideal playmate: by choosing one, your daughter will have a companion to protect her while she sleeps. A friend who will help her chase away her nightmares and fall asleep peacefully.
You can indulge in other fantasies, other than the traditional “teddy bear“. You can go for other, more original models. But how do you make the right choice? The best way is to ask your child’s opinion.
Every child has a favourite animal or a favourite cartoon featuring a famous animal. You’re sure to please them by bringing home a cuddly toy featuring their favourite animal. You’ll be thrilled to see your little one snuggling up to her cuddly toy before setting off for dreamland. You can also opt for a cuddly toy with a little animal’s head to encourage your child from an early age.
If your child is too young to give an opinion, choose a cuddly toy in a colour that appeals to him or her. Alternatively, an XXL plush will look great in their bedroom as a decorative element. A pink flamingo in a large version will look great in a little girl’s bedroom. The animal will act as a dream guardian, watching over your little blonde head as she sleeps.
A cuddly toy in the shape of a character to shape her imagination
The cuddly toy will probably grow with your child. Your daughter’s behaviour will change over time. She will imagine stories in which she and her faithful companion will evolve. They’ll brave obstacles, run away from wicked witches, make new friends along the way… And it’s best to choose a girl’s plush toy that she can use in her imaginary games. A Little Red Riding Hood puppet, a Cinderella puppet or a Snow White puppet are good examples.
You’ll see that your daughter’s eyes will light up with joy as she recounts the tales featuring these characters. She’ll experience the adventures as if she were there. She’ll tremble with anticipation when the magic kiss wakes the princess. These beautiful stories will help her exercise her imagination and teach her all about life.
Choose a cuddly toy that’s true to life
The cuddly toy you buy for your toddler should reflect reality. This is useful so that she can easily identify the cuddly toy in front of her: a bee, a rabbit, a cat, an elephant. If you give her a bear with an elephant trunk, she won’t know how to play with it. It’s also a good idea to choose natural colours. Avoid getting a purple rabbit or a green pony.
Plush toys are great for role-playing. It allows your child to simulate real-life situations. The toy can help them better understand how society and the world around them work. The choice between a talking and a non-talking toy is quickly made. The preference will be for the latter. The former encourages the child to press a button and the toy will start talking. It’s much better if the child speaks instead of the cuddly toy.
It’s perfectly possible to make a homemade cuddly toy with your toddler. All you need to do is follow an online tutorial and get the necessary materials. The toy will be invaluable to your daughter, as she’s had a hand in making it.
To make sure you choose the right cuddly toy for your daughter, be on the lookout for her wishes and needs. That way, you won’t run into any major difficulties when selecting the toy. And don’t forget to check the age indicated on the label and compliance with standards before you buy.
How do you choose a plush toy for girls?
Do you know how to make the right choice when buying a girl’s soft toy? Tell us in the comments how you do it!