At what age should you give a child a stuffed animal?
Stuffed animals are a popular gift for children of all ages, but at what age is it appropriate ?
There is no single answer to this question. Every child is different and reaches developmental milestones at different times. Here however are a few things to consider:
At what age do children start looking after their stuffed animal?
Babies as young as a few days old can begin to handle and explore small, soft stuffed animals with their hands and mouths. However, they won't really be able to responsibly look after a stuffed animal until about the age of 18 months or 2 years.
What size stuffed animal is appropriate for a child?
The size of the stuffed animal should take into consideration both the age and the capability of the child. For babies and toddlers, it is best to choose a medium-sized stuffed animal, one they can handle with ease. For older children, you can choose a larger, more complex stuffed toy that they could take everywhere with them! At Adada we recommend our smaller sized loveys for newborns. Made of organic cotton and OEKO TEX 100 certified, they allow a child, from birth on, to suckle and cuddle their soft toy without any risk to their health. For older children (even adults!), anything from our range of stuffed animals would be perfectly suitable.
Do children prefer a certain type of stuffed animal?
Children's tastes and preferences change over time. Babies and toddlers are often drawn to soft, simple stuffed animals, whereas older children may prefer more complex or realistic stuffed animals or characters from movies or cartoons that they enjoy.
Here are some other things to consider when choosing a stuffed animal for a child:
The Quality:
It is very important to choose a good quality stuffed animal, one that will not tear easily and does not have small parts that could be dangerous for a child. Also it is worth making sure that the stuffed animal is made of safe and environmentally friendly materials.
At Adada, our stuffed animals are made from organic cotton, knitted and dyed in France and certified OEKO TEX 100. All our stuffed animals comply with EN71-1, EN71-2 and EN71-3 standards.
Allergies:
If your child has allergies, it is important to choose a hypoallergenic stuffed animal or one made of materials that will not trigger their allergies.
The message you want to convey:
Stuffed animals can be used in various ways to convey a message or a story to a child. For example, you may choose a stuffed animal to stimulate a child’s interest in a particular animal or their habitat, or you may choose a movie or cartoon character stuffed animal to encourage imagination and creativity.
Ultimately, the ideal age to give a stuffed animal will depend on the specific child, their interests and abilities, but by following these simple tips, you should be able to find the perfect stuffed animal for them!
