The Toy Coach's Top 2023 Holiday Picks
There’s an emerging subcategory breaking into the toy aisle that’s the complete opposite of fidget toys. They’re called Wellness & Comfort toys. These toys are predominantly plush at the moment, a craze led in by the popular Squishmellows brand. But since the return to in person lifestyles post pandemic, a new function of plush has emerged, and that function is wellness and comfort. In our fast paced world with an overwhelming acceptance of screens and technology, kids and adults are feeling more anxious than ever and the toy industry is coming to answer the call.
From soothing spa kits, to Meditation Barbies, and weighted plush, this new category is just lifting off in 2022 but you can expect to see a whole lot more of it come 2023. Comfort & Wellness toys can provide a sense of security for kids and adults. They help with anxiety, can ease physical tension, and reduce stress. Comfort & Wellness toys are designed to give our senses a break, instead of finding ways to overstimulate or overload them with features and gadgets. Comfort & wellness toys are often marketed to help us feel better, sleep better, and even boost our moods.
Comfort toys have become so mainstream in fact that in the latest season of the iconic show, “Grey’s Anatomy” one doctor is shown giving stuffed animals to the rookie doctors in order to help them deal with the stress that comes with being a doctor. The character even mentions a study out of Amsterdam that says when people touch stuffed animals, especially if they have low self esteem, it helps reduce anxiety.
This gift guide holds some toys from the Comfort + Wellness category for kids and adults that should be on your Christmas list this year.
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Meditation Mouse
They say meditation is a skill that you need to develop over time…well wouldn’t it have been a lot easier if we started as babies? Luckily today we can. The Meditation Mouse from Fisher-Price® introduces your toddler to guided meditation through physical prompts and breathing exercises to help them unwind during the day and before bedtime.
The Meditation Mouse from Fisher-Price introduces your toddler to guided meditation through physical prompts and breathing exercises to help them unwind during the day and before bedtime. This soothing plush mouse is the go-to calming cuddle buddy to help your little one learn how to nama-stay relaxed. Choose from 3 calming modes, including a daytime relaxation session, a nighttime soothing sounds mode, and a 3-part bedtime wind-down exercise. Ready for relaxing and snuggling, this plush pal has an embroidered face and is made from a variety of soft and satiny textures (including super cute pajamas!).
Honeylamb
Honeylambs is the most edgy comfort toy I’ve seen on the market! They look like toys that would’ve come out of the backyard of the misbehaving neighbor Sid from Toy Story! Honeylambs are a cross between a Victorian luxe, creepy, and comforting. It’s so odd that it works just perfectly.
Hugimals
Get Yourself A Hug! Click Here To Shop Hugimals Now
Hugimals are weighted plush that make you feel like you’re being HUGGED by your stuffed animal. The company totes the clever line, “the calming hugs you’ve WEIGHTED for” and they sent me one and I LOVE it. I can’t tell you when I’ve had a stressful day of toy coaching this plush is the most comforting thing to snuggle up with. (paid link)
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Shore Buddies
If part of your anxiety comes from a worry of what your kids' toys are doing to our planet, then Shore Buddies is for you. Shore Buddies are stuffed animals made from recycled plastic bottles. Their mission is to save Marine Life and keep plastics out of the Oceans. For you? Stress free, guilt free comfort play.
Shore Buddies are the world's 1st stuffed animals made from 100% post consumer, recycled plastic bottles. It takes 6x plastic bottles to make 1x Shore Buddy stuffed animal
Menstruation Crustacean Warming Pillow
The Menstruation Crustacean Warming Pillow is one that I might love a little extra because I designed the character myself! But the product was invented and manufactured by the company What Do You Meme? And this little guy will be your saving grace if you’re a woman and it’s your time of the month. Not only is he a cute and cuddly play on words but he’s also a heating pack that stays warm forever! And just when you think this little one can’t relax you anymore, you’ll notice the sweet scent of lavender coming from his little body.
Outside of Comfort Play there are new plush in the toy industry that are actively looking to empower little girls…both figuratively and literally!
Little Rebels
https://wearelittlerebels.com/
An award-winning collection of licensed plush dolls is designed after iconic female figures. The dolls are beautiful renditions of their real world counterparts as little girls, and are extremely soft to the touch.
Little Rebel dolls teach girls they can strive for the stars by showing them that even these iconic women started as little girls just like them.
Power Pony
Is a giant sized plush toy that literally powers up kids to go for a playful pony ride. Guaranteed to provide fun, smiles and laughter on many exciting riding adventures. Power Pony has everything your child could ever need to have the best summer ever!
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Pixicade
Outside of the comfort plush category the toy industry has seen the introduction of truly toyetic digital play cross over into the lane of arts and crafts. With the app and toy Pixicade, kids can draw and create their own instantly playable video games and even create pets that they can interact with on screen.
The only thing more impressive than how innovative Pixicade is would be how extremely easy it is to use. Kids get to draw a picture of an idea for a video game using colored markers and real paper. Then, using the Pixicade app available for iOS and android, all that is needed is to snap a pic of the piece of paper! From there, the image is brought to life as an actual video game that can be played on a phone or tablet! The app only requires a camera and an internet connection. (iOS 8.0 and up, android 6.0 and up)
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Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron
The magic of toys isn’t only in the digital space this season, but kids can also perform “real” magic with their Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron by moose toys! The Magic Mixies magic cauldron allows you to mix up your own pet with a tap of your wand and a simple spell cast. Who doesn’t need a little magic this time of the year?
Experience real magic with the Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron. You will be amazed when you see what magically appears from the mist when you finish casting your spell...who will you magically create? Your Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron comes with all the magic ingredients you need and a special Wand to mix a potion and make a cute furry friend! First, read the spell from your Spell Book, then add magical ingredients such as the Crystal Gem & Magic Feather to your Cauldron one step at a time (each ingredient helps your creature come to life). As you go through each step of the spell, watch for the green light and tap your wand on the Cauldron 3 times to see it react by lighting up and making different sounds. When the potion is finished, watch as REAL mist begins to rise from the Cauldron and listen as your Magic Mixie comes to life…wow! You’ve just created a magical new friend! So adorable and so interactive, your Magic Mixie reacts to your touch and responds to your wand. They love to perform spells with you and may even grant you a wish as their gem lights up! The more you nurture and care for your Magic Mixie, the stronger their energy levels become. Your Magic Mixie and their Magic Cauldron come with 50+ sounds and reactions. You can even place your Magic Mixie back into the Cauldron and repeat the magical reveal again and again to amaze all your friends (Magic Mist & Spells Refill Pack sold separately) . With two different colored Magic Mixies to choose from, there is so much enchantment in store and adorable magical friends to adore!
Lite Brite Wall Art POP Wow (paid link)
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We can thank Stranger Things for the epic return of the night light. With Mega-Sized Lite-Brite Wall Art POP WOW!, kids can create massively large works of art inspired Pop Art themes!
Everyone’s favorite Lite-Brite is now mega-sized to create your own lite-up wall art! Display on your wall or tabletop and Lite-Brite your passions unlike anything you’ve created before. From favorite art pieces, iconic signs and more, escape with a unique experience you can enjoy in the dark! The 16 x 16” grid features high-definition designs with 6,000 mini-pegs in eight assorted colors with 45 LEDs. Choose from one of three HD Pop Art designs like the eye-popping ‘Wow,’ shout-out-loud ‘AHA,’ or colorful Bananas! Display on your wall or tabletop using the stand included – it makes a great work-from-home backdrop! Power on with the Micro-USB Cable that’s included or 6 “AA” batteries (not included). Ages 14+.
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Fresh Dolls - Mia
As a black woman in the toy industry I’ve got to give extensive praise to The Fresh Dolls doll line. This doll line was a recent TOTY winner, and really accentuates the color and freshness of popular black culture. From the dolls colorful hair to custom mixed skintones, the Fresh Dolls are the only doll line where I can really find my unique self, pink hair and all.
Mia loves to sing. Give her a spotlight, a mic, and watch her outgoing personality shine. Mia has big beautiful brown natural curls, big, bold dreams, and a big voice that hits the notes pitch perfect every time. When she hits the stage, she is always the center of attention. At Fresh Prep you can find her in Musical Theater practicing vocal scales. She is in the Glee Club and dreams of being on the international stage, bringing joy to people all around the world through her gift of song. Mia aspires to be a world-renowned singer and song, writer. Mia hits all the rights notes in her purple and black lace outfit with matching black shoes. She is Curtain Call Ready.