Tag: Children and Stuffed Animals

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3 Essential Tips for Traveling with a Stuffed Animal

happy little girl closing luggage suitcase in living room when she finishing packing and ready to travel with teddy bear

The summer season is a popular time for families to travel and take vacations. If you and your family are preparing for your next summer adventure, your little ones may want to bring their favorite stuffed animal along for the journey. Having a stuffed animal as a travel buddy is always fun for your child, but taking good care of them is important so they return home safe and sound!

Here are three essential tips for traveling with a stuffed animal.

1) Ensure They Are in Good Condition

Traveling can really take its toll, both on humans and on stuffed animals. Before you head off on your trip, you’ll want to check the condition of your child’s stuffed friend. If it’s seen better days and needs to be cleaned or sewn, then you should plan on fixing it up a few days before you leave.

2) Have a Separate Bag for Your Stuffable Friend

We’ve all heard the story of a child losing their favorite stuffed animal at the airport or on a road trip. While your kiddo may want to hold onto their stuffed animal at all times, keeping them in a bag while you’re moving about is often better. This will prevent your child from dropping it or accidentally leaving it at a rest stop. If you’re flying, you can keep the stuffed animal in a carry-on bag or checked bag, but it may be better to keep it in a carry-on if your child wants to play with it while on the plane.

3) Bring Clothes for Them

The best part of your child bringing their stuffed animal along for the trip is having them participate in the activities. To do this, bring some outfits fitted for your stuffed animal so that they can look the part. For example, if you’re heading to a beach resort, grab a swimsuit for the stuffed animal to wear by the water.

Looking for a traveling companion for your next family vacation? At The Zoo Factory, we have plenty of stuffable animals and outfits your child will love. From dinosaurs to sea creatures to custom t-shirts and accessories, we have everything your furry friend needs to participate in your child’s summer adventures.

Visit us online to browse our FAQ, view our current promotions, and place an order today!

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A ‘Teddy Clinic’ Helps to Ease Children’s Fears of Hospital

teddy bear

We found an article from ABC News that we just had to share, it was too cute.

A group of German medical students have helped find a way to ease the fear of young children about being in a hospital- through the use of teddy bears and other stuffed animals. They hosted an event where they could help cure, test, and do surgery on stuffed animals (with imaginary illnesses, of course).

It is said that about 90% of children have fears and anxieties about hospitals and doctors. The students used a mix of real and fake instruments to help diagnose and treat the critters, including the use of x-rays and CT scans.

Some even had make-believe consultations and prescriptions given to them! One stuffed dragon needed to have an operation done, which gave his owner the chance to learn about sterility. So not only were the children involved in the process, they got to learn about what goes on in doctors rooms to make it all seem less scary.

Seeing that their favorite stuffed animals turned out ok, and stepping into the roles of doctors themselves helped them see the importance of the doctor’s jobs and see that it isn’t really all that scary. When you take a look at the original article (link at the bottom of the post) you will see that the children were even dressed up in scrubs and hair nets to get the full effect.

However, we are pleased to say that occasionally all that was needed to get the job done was a simple Band-Aid.

Stuffed animals have always been known to bring comfort in times of need, but it is simply heartwarming to see their affect at work like this.

Tell me, when have stuffed animals come to the rescue for you?

Check out the article from ABC News here.

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A Child’s Emotional Connection with a Stuffed Animal

stuffed bear

Watching your children interact with their stuff animals is more than just child’s play. They can form an emotional bond and attachment to a non living object. Children say and think the funniest things and have the wildest imaginations so it is not far-fetched that they create relationships in their heads.

Children have the best imaginations and they can create anything in their mind if they try hard enough. Most children will name their favorite stuffed animals and even give them personalities. If they create a good personality for their stuffed animal they can create an unbreakable bond with them.

These stuffed animals serve as a security blanket for your child. No matter where they go they are taking someone with them they like and get along with. It is important to note that it is normal for your child to have stuffed friends, but also encourage them to make living breathing friends. If they are extremely shy maybe start with a pet, then gradually work up to human children. But always allow them to have time with their stuffed animal friend. If you try to take away their stuffed friends before they are ready they may have serious emotional problems down the road due to what they think is abandonment. Although their animal hasn’t left them, they will feel lonely if you take them away too soon. Nothing puts a smile on you child’s face like that stuffed animal, just remember to them that stuffed animal is real.