16″ Seaweed the Sea Turtle

Seaweed the Sea Turtle 16 inch is a do it yourself stuffable animal kit requiring NO SEWING! The closure on the back is Velcro. This is a great activity for birthday parties, a family fun activity or school fundraiser.

The Zoo Factory kits DO NOT come with stuffing. You may choose to add it to your order OR purchase it on your own from a craft store. Each 16″ animal will need 7-8 ounces of stuffing depending on how soft or firm you want your stuffable animal to be.

Our Kit will come with the following:

~ Seaweed the Sea Turtle
~ Wishing Star
~ Birth Certificate
~ Stuffing Instructions

Your child will enjoy creating their very own stuffed animal and making a memory that will last forever. Don’t forget to pick out a special outfit, sound chip for your stuffable Seaweed the Sea Turtle.

Seaweed the Sea Turtle is  part of the #PlushforthePlanet collection that reminds us to reuse and recycle plastics to protect the future of the oceans.

16″ Babe the Black Lab

Babe The Black Lab 16″ Stuffable Animal is a do it yourself stuffable animal kit requiring NO SEWING! The closure on the back is Velcro. This is a great activity for birthday parties, a family fun activity or school fundraiser.

The Zoo Factory kits DO NOT come with stuffing. You may choose to add it to your order OR purchase it on your own from a craft store. Each 16″ animal will need 7-8 ounces of stuffing depending on how soft or firm you want your stuffable animal to be

Our Kit will come with the following:

~ Babe The Black Lab
~ Wishing Star
~ Birth Certificate
~ Stuffing Instructions

Your child will enjoy creating their very own stuffed animal and making a memory that will last forever. Don’t forget to pick out a special outfit, sound chip for your stuffable puppy.

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How to Name Your Stuffed Animals

teddy bear surrounded by his stuffed animal friends

When you get a new stuffed animal, it’s natural to start forming an attachment to it. As a result, people often like to give their stuffed animals names to feel closer to them. For some, this is easy, but for others, it can be an agonizing decision, almost like naming a pet. So, if you or your child is struggling to come up with a name for a new stuffable friend, read over these tips for finding the perfect name!

Consider Their Features

Take a good look at your stuffed animal. Is it fluffy? Does it have a big head? Is it a teddy bear or a dinosaur? What color are they? The features of your stuffed animal will help you find some inspiration for choosing the right name.

Keep It Simple

You don’t want a long and complicated name for your stuffed animal—you might find yourself forgetting it—so keep it short and sweet. If you really want a longer name, consider using a nickname you can use regularly.

Name It After Someone or Something Special

Do you have a person or something you admire? Then feel free to name your stuffed animal after them! It’s a touching tribute, plus it’ll ensure that you always remember the name. You can even shorten the name of someone. For example, if someone you know is named Michael, then name your stuffed animal Mike or Mikey.

Don’t Overthink It

It’s best not to overthink the name you give your stuffed animal. While you may want something special and unique, there’s nothing wrong with naming your stuffed animal “Fluffy” if that’s the first thing that pops into your head. Sometimes, the names that come naturally are the best ones, so feel free to go with your gut when naming your furry friend.

Looking for a new best friend for yourself or your child? Consider purchasing a stuffable animal brought to you by The Zoo Factory! From wild animals to mythical creatures, we’re sure you’ll find the right friend—and name—for you.

Browse our animal selection online, and don’t forget to check out our custom printing options, perfect for school events, fundraising, advertising, and more!

16″ Snowflake Reindeer

16" Snowflake Reindeer Stuffable Animal

16″ Snowflake Reindeer – Our 16 inch Snowflake Reindeer is a do it yourself stuffable animal kit requiring NO SEWING! The closure on the back is Velcro. This is a great activity for birthday parties, a l family fun activity or school fundraiser.

The Zoo Factory kits DO NOT come with stuffing. You may choose to add it to your order OR purchase it on your own from a craft store. Each 8″ animal will need 7-8 ounces of stuffing depending on how soft or firm you want your stuffable animal to be.

Our Kit will come with the following:

~ 16″ Snowflake Reindeer
~ Wishing Star
~ Birth Certificate
~ Stuffing Instructions

Your child will enjoy creating their very own stuffed animal and making a memory that will last forever. Don’t forget to pick out a special outfit, sound chip for your stuffable animal.

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Latest American Girl Doll Announced!

Little girls know their dolls are real: these are their first friends, who they spill their secrets and desires to and their best playmates through thick and thin.

The newest American Girl Doll is set to hit the scene in late summer this year, according to an article from The Detroit News. Embracing Motown and civil-rights era Detroit, American Girl has named 9-year-old aspiring African-American singer Melody Ellison as the latest American Girl Doll.

The BeForever brand’s third African-American doll, after Addy Walker and Cécile Ray, will retail with a paperback book for $115.

Melody’s story begins in a Detroit church choir, where Melody took to singing with her congregation while simultaneously learning about racial inequality. In the first story of the series of novels featuring Melody, “No Ordinary Sound,” Melody lands a singing solo for Youth Day at her church where she must draw upon the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words to help her pick what song to sing.

A six-person advisory panel helped to develop every detail of Melody, down to the texture of her hair. When Melody is released this summer, she will have her own bed and a recording studio that plays Motown music.

Melody will also feature multiple outfits, including a blue and yellow houndstooth dress with a blue ribbon headband and blue patent leather shoes. An “Equal Rights in ‘63” lapel pin in red, white and blue completes the outfit.

Before adding Melody to your daughter’s American Girl Doll family this summer, create a supplementary wardrobe for her to come home to. The Zoo Factory offers American Girl Doll clothes including dresses, leggings, socks, pajamas, pants, shoes, skirts and tops.

Categories of clothing that cover careers, costumes, sports and scouts round out the collection. Help your daughter understand that she and Melody can grow up without limits by purchasing a green scrubs and white doctor’s coat set, or let your child teach Melody karate with a karate outfit. Is your daughter a Brownie? Make Melody one too! Or, give your princess the gift of her own little royal with a Snow White costume.

Allow your daughter’s imagination to run wild as she dresses up Melody in a new outfit each day or for special occasions. Remember to watch for the release of American Girl’s latest doll towards the end of the summer, and check out the full line of outfits and accessories for American Girl Dolls from The Zoo Factory today!

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How to Manage Screen Time for Your Kids

In an era dominated by digital devices, managing screen time for children has become a pressing concern for many parents. While technology is an integral part of learning and entertainment, excessive screen time can impact physical health, sleep patterns, and even social skills. Encouraging physical play with toys, especially those that stimulate imagination like those from The Zoo Factory, can provide a healthy balance. Here are practical ways to manage screen time and promote active, imaginative play.

Establish Clear Screen Time Guidelines

Start by setting clear, consistent limits on screen time outside of educational purposes. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests no more than one to two hours of quality screen time per day for children over two years old. Make sure these guidelines are understood and agreed upon, and be firm yet flexible when enforcing them.

Create a Tech-Free Zone

Designate areas in your home as tech-free zones, where digital devices are not allowed. These areas can be filled with alternative forms of entertainment, such as puzzles, building blocks, and stuffed animals from The Zoo Factory. Encouraging play in these zones helps children rediscover the joy of hands-on activities.

Lead by Example

Children often mimic the behavior of adults. Show your kids that you too can enjoy leisure time without screens. Dedicate portions of your day to device-free activities. Whether it’s reading a book, gardening, or engaging in crafts, your example sets a powerful precedent for screen-free enjoyment.

Schedule Daily Playtime

Set aside specific times each day for physical play. This could be anything from a family walk or bike ride to indoor activities like hide-and-seek or creating imaginative worlds with stuffed animals and action figures. Making this playtime a regular part of your child’s routine ensures they get the physical activity they need and helps break the cycle of screen dependency.

Encourage Creative Play

Toys that stimulate creativity and imagination are invaluable for developing minds. Encourage your children to create stories with their toys, build forts, or engage in role-playing games. The Zoo Factory offers a wide array of stuffable animals that can be personalized, providing not just a toy but a companion that fuels imaginative play.

Reward System

Implement a reward system for following screen time rules. Rewards can include a new toy, extra playtime, or a special activity. This not only motivates compliance but also makes the effort feel recognized and valued.

Looking for high-quality toys that encourage imaginative play? Visit The Zoo Factory to discover a world of stuffable animals that can inspire stories, adventures, and a lifetime of memories.

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Why You Should Gift Stuffed Animals to Babies and Toddlers

toddler sitting with stuffed animals

As infants, we almost immediately form bonds with our parents and family members. However, as we explore the world, we also start to form bonds with other people and other things. Our stuffed animals, for instance, can become life-long companions and sources of comfort.  The bonds we form with our stuffed animals is why they are some of the greatest gifts we can give to newborn babies or toddlers. However, that isn’t the only reason you should gift your newborn baby with their own stuffed animal. Read on to learn more:

Why should you get your baby a stuffed animal?

When you gift an infant a stuffed animal, you may not know it, but you are teaching them about the world. Stuffed animals can be used to classify different animals, such as reptiles and aquatic creatures. Not only do these toys introduce your baby or toddler to the animal kingdom, but they can also help them process and understand human emotion and sensory details such as texture and color.

What to look for in your baby’s first stuffed animal

When choosing your baby’s first stuffed animal, you will want to keep a few things in mind. Try to avoid animals with long fur or removable parts, as babies can easily choke on these. Also. if the act of gifting a stuffed animal is sentimental to you, you may want to opt for a stuffed animal that your toddler can hold onto once they are of preschool age. At this age, your child is beginning to develop more of an active imagination, and will most likely want to interact with their stuffed animal more, even simulating real-life scenarios and mimicking emotions.

At the Zoo Factory, we encourage everyone to get a lovable stuffed animal of their own, whether you’re 3, 15, or 67! We’re never too young or too old to connect with our inner child. Look through our online inventory today to get started.

16 INCH ANIMAL – ASSORTMENT

16 Inch Stuffable Animals

The Perfect option for the last minute party or event.
Add the number of animals you want and checkout. Your order will be shipped the next day, excluding Sunday.

Choose this party package when you want an assortment and an easy way to order – add the quantity your want, click add to cart – it is that easy! Your order will consist of multiples of different animals – at $14.00 per animal – all adorable! If you have a theme, add that to the comment section at checkout and we will do our best to accommodate.

These Party Package 16 inch do it yourself stuffable animal kit requires NO SEWING! The closure on the back of each animal is either Velcro, a zipper or both, either way, it is easy to do and hidden once closed. A great activity for a birthday party, a special family time activity or school fundraisers.

The Zoo Factory kits DO NOT come with stuffing. You may choose to add it to your order OR purchase it on your own from a craft store. Each 16″ animal will need 6-7 ounces of stuffing depending on how soft or firm you want your stuffable animal to be.

Your child will enjoy creating their very own stuffed animal and making a memory that will last forever. Don’t forget to pick out a special outfit, sound chip for your stuffable Animals.

8 INCH ANIMAL – MIXED ASSORTMENT

8 Inch Stuffable Animals

The Perfect option for the last minute party or event.
Add the number of animals you want and checkout. Your order will be shipped the next day, excluding Sunday.

Choose this party package when you want an assortment and an easy way to order – add the quantity your want, click add to cart – it is that easy! Your order will consist of multiples of different animals – at $10.00 per animal – all adorable! If you have a theme, add that to the comment section at checkout and we will do our best to accommodate.

These Party Package 8 inch do it yourself stuffable animal kit requires NO SEWING! The closure on the back of each animal is either Velcro, a zipper or both, either way, it is easy to do and hidden once closed. A great activity for a birthday party, a special family time activity or school fundraisers.

The Zoo Factory kits DO NOT come with stuffing. You may choose to add it to your order OR purchase it on your own from a craft store. Each 8″ animal will need 2-3 ounces of stuffing depending on how soft or firm you want your stuffable animal to be.

Your child will enjoy creating their very own stuffed animal and making a memory that will last forever. Don’t forget to pick out a special outfit, sound chip for your stuffable Animals.

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How to Encourage Your Kids to Get Better Grades

How to Encourage Your Kids to Get Better Grades

We all want our kids to do well in school. While some kids are intrinsically motivated, others not so much. They may need an extra nudge or two to truly put their best foot forward when it comes to schoolwork. If your child needs that extra encouragement, here are a few ideas to get you started:

Provide help with homework

Everyone needs a helping hand at least once in a while. Our kids are no different. When our children struggle in school, their motivation to do well takes a hit. They may believe that they will never understand a subject, thus believing that there’s no point in studying. If your child is in this position, consider providing them with some extra help either from yourself or from a tutor.

Set realistic expectations

Some kids will never be straight-A students. And that’s ok! Grades don’t always correlate with intelligence. Your child may struggle in math and science, but they may excel in art or music. Nevertheless, we still want our kids to do their best. So, instead of pushing your kids to get straight-As, encourage them to get grades just above what they are currently receiving. For example, if your kid has a C in Math, encourage them to bump it up to a B-.

Offer incentives

Incentives can be a great way to motivate kids who simply do not care about school. But make it an incentive that they truly care about. For instance, if your child loves soccer, tell them you’ll let them go to a summer soccer camp if they get their grades up. For young kids (such as kindergarteners or first graders), give them a special treat like new books, toys, or their favorite meal.

Here at The Zoo Factory, we offer plenty of stuffed animals for your child to choose from. To get started, look through our inventory today!