Unique Plush Toys for Babies & Toddlers

This odd collection of stuffed animals is fun to look at and really interesting to touch. Each animal is made from a variety of different fabrics and materials, so you get several tactile experiences in one toy. The Deglingos toys are cute in a "homemade from scraps" kind of way. You can find the normal dog, cat, sheep and cow in the Deglingos line, but they also have some unique choices such as a lobster, hedgehog or chicken. The Deglingos stuffed animals cost about $40.

As the name implies, the plush toys from Ugly Doll are, well.... ugly. But they're also a good example of "so ugly they're cute." These simple plush toys come in a variety of styles, from a pink one-eyed dog to black and green bats to a bunny-like creature named Plunko. All of them have a simple straight line for a mouth that gives them a plain, almost bored look. However, every child I've known who saw one of these Ugly Dolls fell in love immediately. Strange but true - kids love Ugly Dolls. Prices range from about $5 for the smaller keychain dolls to about $15 for the larger dolls.

FlatOut Bears are made from incredibly soft sheepskin. There is no stuffing inside, hence the name. But even without stuffing, these bears are loads of fun to squeeze and hold. FlatOut Bears are simple enough to be appropriate for young babies. The lack of stuffing also makes them easier to hand wash and dry if they get dirty, as favorite toys usually do. The basic bear shape is available in several colors and two sizes, and a special koala bear shape is also available. FlatOut Bears cost $30-$60.

These cool magnetic animal plush toys from Dwell come in a set of three - elephant, hippo and ox - so baby can create some interesting animal combinations. The outer surfaces of the animals have interesting patterns, varying textures and soothing colors. Each animal is two pieces - head and tail - with the magnets in the center so baby can easily take the segments apart over and over. Dwell Magnetic Animals cost about $40 for the set of three.

Zoobies stuffed animals are definitely fun for play time, but these plush toys also hide a nap time blanket inside. When the blanket is out, the animal itself can be used for a nap pillow. The fleece blanket folds up to be stored inside the body of the animal. Zoobies stuffed animals are very soft and pleasant to touch, and they're available in tons of animal characters, from alligators to giraffes and many more. The blanket zips off from the animal body for washing. Zoobies are priced around $30.

For a child who has certain types of allergies, regular plush toys may be off-limits. Pure Plushy toys, though, are made with visco-elastic memory foam that doesn't pick up mites, mold or mildew the way normal plush toys can. The foam inside these toys also holds its shape better than traditional stuffings, so it should stay in good shape for a longer time. Despite the clinical-sounding insides and allergy-reducing properties, Pure Plushy toys are very soft and squishable. We have one that has been in use for about a year that still looks brand new. Pure Plushy is currently available in dog and bear styles, and costs about $30.