Cuddly Weighted Stuffed Animals for Kids and Adults to Hug
Weighted stuffed animals are a great way to bring comfort into your home. These cozy companions can help with sleep and improve the mental health of children and adults with autism, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, and more. In this complete guide to weighted stuffed animals, you’ll learn about their psychological benefits and how to choose the right huggable gift for yourself or someone who could use emotional support.
As an autistic adult, I’ve learned you’re never too old to have a soft stuffed animal to hug! I have put together this guide based on research studies and my own experiences, and I hope it will help other neurodivergent people, their parents, and their loved ones.
Amazon.com
The Benefits of Weighted Stuffed Animals
How does a weighted stuffed animal work?
Weighted stuffed animals are filled with glass or plastic poly pellets to make them heavy. Natural materials such as rice or flax seeds may also be used. Some can be heated in the microwave or frozen to provide heat or cold therapy; if that’s what you’re looking for, check out our article about Warmies weighted stuffed animals. The weighted filling provides soothing pressure that can alleviate a variety of mental health struggles including stress, trouble sleeping, autism meltdowns, ADHD overstimulation, and more.
Can a weighted stuffed animal help with sleep?
Weighted stuffed animals improve sleep quality by providing gentle pressure, similar to how weighted blankets work. They can help you feel calm and relaxed at bedtime. This makes them the perfect gift for nighttime cuddles!
Can a weighted stuffed animal help with anxiety?
Weighted stuffed animals offer therapeutic benefits for those struggling with anxiety or the aftermath of trauma. Deep pressure stimulation can reduce stress, as evidenced by multiple studies, including one where adults reported a 63% reduction in their anxiety from using a weighted blanket. If you are anxious, weighted products are well worth the small investment and can supplement treatments such as therapy and medication. If you get nighttime panic attacks or PTSD flashbacks, they can make going to bed a lot less scary.
Can a weighted stuffed animal help with autism?
Products such as weighted blankets, lap pads, wearable vests, and stuffed toys are go-to coping tools for children and adults on the autism spectrum for good reason — they work! The famous autistic professor and advocate Temple Grandin has researched this topic extensively and even designed a “hug machine” to address her sensory needs.
People with autism and other developmental disabilities often struggle with sensory processing disorder. Our brains do not process sound, sight, and touch in the same way as neurotypical people. We are prone to misophonia and sensory overload; sounds and sensations that others can tolerate can trigger an autism meltdown. Deep pressure stimulation helps us with sensory self-regulation by providing proprioceptive input.
Deep pressure therapy can be especially helpful for people whose disabilities make it difficult for them to communicate their feelings. A study found that deep pressure has immediate calming effects on children and young adults who have autism with a co-occurring severe intellectual disability. Many autistic people with intellectual disabilities and high support needs struggle with insomnia, which in turn impacts their caregivers, so giving them a weighted plush to hug at night can greatly improve a family’s quality of life.
etsy.com
How to Choose a Weighted Stuffed Animal
These tips will help you and/or your child stay safe, get the most out of using weighted stuffed animals, and select the right snuggle buddy for your needs.
Are weighted toys safe for babies?
Weighted stuffed animals are not safe for infants and toddlers under age 2, as they can become a suffocation hazard if the baby does not have the strength or physical ability to push the item away from their face. Infants should always sleep on their backs in a crib with tightly fitted bedding and no plush toys or other items.
Are weighted toys safe for young children?
For young children over age 2, weighted products should be used with caution and supervision. Weighted stuffed animals should not exceed 10% of a child’s body weight. Parents, if your child has developmental delays, physical disabilities, and/or receives early intervention services, consult with their occupational therapist, physical therapist, and/or doctor to ensure they can safely use and free themselves from under a weighted blanket or heavy plush toy.
Before each use, check to make sure the stitching is secure so it won’t come apart. Check for loose eyes and other potential choking hazards. I recommend buying weighted stuffed animals that are machine washable or have a removable insert so you can wash the soft plush exterior. Spot clean only items aren’t a good choice for kids.
Are weighted stuffed animals good for adults?
Of course they are! You’re never too old to hug a stuffie in bed at night. They fulfill a universal human need for soothing pressure. If somebody gives you a hard time about it, that says a lot more about them than you.
How do I choose the right weight for my needs or my child’s needs?
Weighted stuffed animals typically range from 1 to 5 pounds. For kids, parents should choose a stuffed animal they can easily pick up and carry without assistance. If you’re an adult, as a starting point, consider whether you prefer gentle pressure or a strong bear hug. Consider your own weight and any physical limitations that could make a heavier plushie difficult to carry or use.
It’s often best to start off with a lighter weight and work your way up as needed. If you find that your insomnia, anxiety and/or sensory overload persist, you may need a heavier stuffed animal. On the other hand, if too much pressure makes you anxious or you wake up feeling overheated, you may need lighter weighted products. If you’re really not sure where to start, I recommend getting a stuffed animal with a removable insert that’s on the lighter side. Then you can add weight if needed.
What other factors should I consider before buying a weighted plush?
If you or your kid has sensory sensitivities, read about fabric texture and zoom in on photos to make sure the toy is soft enough to provide comfort. Most neurodivergent people hate the sensation of clothing tags touching our skin, so take a picture of the washing instructions and then cut off the tag before use.
Weighted Stuffed Animals We Recommend
I have many weighted stuffed animals of different brands and prices piled on my bed and couch, plus some cute weighted pillows, all of which I’ve recommended below. They make great gifts to honor your neurodivergent self-care needs or for a kid or friend.
This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Classic Weighted Plush Toys
Looking for weighted stuffed animals with classic themes? You’ll find a bear, puppy, dinosaur, and more to ease anxiety and calm meltdowns. These can be well-suited for ages 3 and up.
24 Inch Dog Weighted Stuffed Animals, Cute Dog Plush Toy Soft Hugging Pillow for Kids Girls Boys Adults, Dog Plushie...
- Durable& Soft Materials: This squishy dog plush is made of high quality plush and cotton. the comfortable fabric is skin friendly, you can close it to your face. not easily rip, Fine workmanship make this lovely dog plushie durable enough to withstand thousands of hugs.
CSVBTRF 1.7lb Seal Weighted Stuffed Animals, Gift for Kids - Grey Hug Seal Plush Animals 1.7lb, 23"
- Exquisite Craftsmanship: Our seal plush is not easy to tear, It's well stitched. so it took a bit of gentle fluffing to get it back to shape, but it just feels good to hug.
- Just the Right Size: Our seal stuffed animals plush 23", the pellets are centered in the seal’s abdomen, this moderate size gives you a seal plush experience.
CSVBTRF 1.8lb Bear Weighted Stuffed Animals, Hugging Pillow for Kids Gift - BrownPlush Animals Bear Plush, 19" (Brown, 19")
- Plush Size: Our bear stuffed animals plush is 19inch 1.8lbs.
- Cute Appearance: Brown head and body with white around the mouth paired to bring out the look of a brown bear stuffed animals, the cozy brown bear color makes it very cute and can be used as a pillow or plush toy.
Fun and Function Weighted Teddy Bear - Weighted Stuffed Animal for Anxiety for Adults & Kids - Weighted Animals for...
- CALMING COMPANION: Fun and Function’s weighted stuffed animals will be your child’s new best, calm-down friend! With added weight & soft texture this stuffed animal is perfect for sensory seekers or those with mood & attention disorders
HEALING HEARTS Large Extra Weighted Animals
WEIGHTED Stuffed Animals - Anxiety, Therapy, Alzheimers, ADHD - 16 Inches
Weighted Stuffed Animals for Kids
These weighted stuffed animals will appeal to your child — or your inner child. Disney fans will love their line of autism-friendly plushes from popular movies including The Lion King and Lilo and Stitch. I have a Stitch because I find his moods so relatable! I also have a Moon Bunny — I love her size and adorable face.
Disney Classics 14-inch Stitch, Comfort Weighted Plush, by Just Play
- Bring home the magic of Disney with the adorable Disney Classics Weighted Plush friends. Weighing three pounds, these timeless characters have a sweet stylization and feature a soft, stretchable fabric. Stitch fans will love snuggling with this plush at home or on-the-go.
Plupiapio 2lbs Cute Soft Dinosaur Weighted Stuffed Animals, 14 inch Green Dino Stuffed Plush Animal Throw Pillows, Kawaii Plushies Hugging...
- At Plupiapio, quality is our top priority. We're committed to creating safe and durable toys that will provide your child with joy and companionship for years to come. Order your dinosaur stuffed animal today and bring the wonders of the prehistoric world into your child's life!
uoozii 24.8“ / 5 lbs Blue Dinosaur Weighted Stuffed Animals - Weighted Plush Animals - Cute Weighted Plush Comfort Big...
- ❤ Unevenly Distributed Weights: To provide the more realisic "hugging back" feeling, in addition to the weight added in abdomen, Uoozii weighted forelegs and hind legs for the weighted stuffed animals as well.
Disney Simba Weighted Plush – The Lion King – 14 Inch
- Genuine, Original, Authentic Disney Store
- Embroidered features
- Fuzzy tuft on head
- Removable 2 1/2 pound weighted pouch
- Inspired by Disney's The Lion King (1994)
5lb Weighted Stuffed Animals for Adults & Teens - Huggable Sensory Weighted Plushie for Stress Relief - Therapeutic Weighted Sleep...
- COMFORT AND SUPPORT - The weighted plush design of our bunny provides comfort and support, making it a perfect companion for bedtime or relaxation time.
- RELAX SENSORY ISSUES - The plush sensory pillow provides a variety of sensory input that can help children & adults with sensory processing issues.
Moon Pals Weighted Stuffed Animals For All Ages - Bo, 5lb Therapeutic Stuffed Animal - Huggable Sensory Plush for Naturally...
- Hugs You Back: Moon Pals Bo plushie harnesses the power of Deep Pressure Stimulation with its signature design.. Bo measures 22” long x 16” wide. Includes 1 x boxed Bo Moon Pal with a free book.
- Dynamic Weighted Arms: Moon Pal’s arms are designed with individually weighted compartments that form perfectly around your shoulders and neck to provide dynamic weighted pressure that feels like a real hug.
Free shipping
Cute and Kawaii Weighted Stuffed Animals for Teens and Adults
These cute and kawaii stuffed animals come in different weight options and make ideal sleep pals for kids, teens, and older. Cats that are also pickles? Why not!
Snuggillows Weighted Stuffed Animals - 5lb Weighted Stuffed Cat Plush, 20" - Anxiety Relief, Stress Relief - Cute Big Stuffed...
- [PERFECT WEIGHT] - After testing different weights for our product, our team has determined that 5 lbs provides the best sensory experience. Lighter products don’t provide the same deep-pressure sensation, and heavier products may be uncomfortable. Snuggillows are in that Goldilocks range that provides just the right pressure to promote relaxation and restfulness.
Cats vs Pickles - Jumbo - AvoCatO - 8" Super Soft and Squishy Bean-Filled Weighted Stuffed Animals - Great for...
- Cats are scared of pickles, but pickles just want love. Welcome to the world of Cats vs Pickles where lovable but misunderstood pickles are in hopeless pursuit of colorful cats. Cats vs Pickles are silly and soft and so fun to collect! Which are you? Team Cat or Team Pickle?
CvP Jumbo 22 - Splat Pickle
- Cats are scared of pickles, but pickles just want love; Welcome to the world of Cats vs Pickles where lovable but misunderstood pickles are in hopeless pursuit of colorful cats; Cats vs Pickles are silly and soft and so fun to collect! Which are you? Team Cat or Team Pickle?
3-5 LB Cozy Weighted Unicorn
Unique Weighted Plush Toys
If you need to axolotl questions about weighted stuffed animals before you buy, we’ve goat a lot of answers! If you’re bored of the usual teddy bears and puppies, a weighted toy from this section will be just what you’re looking for to sleep well at night or match your neurodivergent special interest.
Axolotl Weigted Plush - Realistic, 4 Pounds, 26 Inches Long, Cute Grey Axolotl Plushie Large Weighted Stuffed Animal for Anxiety...
Free shipping
Weighted Hammerhead Shark Stuffed Animal for Anxiety – 3 lb, Soft and Fluffy Plush Hammer Head Shark – 16 inch...
- ★ A Dream for Kids and Adults: The Axion Blue stuffed sharks are the ultimate plushie for a good snuggle! Soft, weighted, and super cute, this stuffed animal is like nothing else you’ve seen before.
Gubuy 3.8lbs Weighted Axolotl Plush 32", Anxiety Relief Stuffed Dino Dinosaur Weighted Plush Animal Throws Pillows
- REAL WEIGHT – unlike other normal weighted plush on Amazon, our plush have enough weight
- STRESS RELIEF – you can put it on your chest and feel its weight, then you may relax and forget your upset, nerve or other negative emotion
1.9 lbs Weighted Stuffed Animals, 23 inch Shark Plush Sea Animal Hug Plush, Shark Plush Animal for Kids Birthday (Gray)
- 【Size】From the tip of its nose to the tip of its tail, this shark plush is about 23 inches long.
- 【Portable】Shark plush about 1.9 lbs. shark stuffed animal perfect for adults or children to hug or lay down to play and sleep.
2lbs Weighted- Realistic Axolotl Plush - Portion Donated to Youth Programs
3-5 LB Cozy Weighted Owl
Weighted Stuffed Goat Plush for Anxiety, ADHD, Stress, Autism
3-5 LB Cozy Weighted Spider
Weighted sensory friendly 16” Opossum plush handmade
Sloth Weighted Stuffed Animal
Sloths have their own section because they are one of my special interests, so I’m featuring several here and I hope you’ll love them as much as I do! If you have trouble sleeping at night, they’re the inspiration you need.
SENSORY4U Weighted Stuffed Animal- Super Soft, Cute Bear Weighted Sloth Stuffed Animal- 2.5lbs Weight for Comfort and Stress Relief- Durable,...
- ⚡ SENSORY ADHD WEIGHTED PLUSHIE- May relieve stress, comfort, ease boredom and stay joyful with our weighted soft stuffed animal, which is expertly crafted with a soft feel, adorable appearance and cute bear design to help provide unlimited fun and brighten up your days!
Weighted Lap Blanket Pad for Kids by SENSORY4U – Sloth Weighted Blanket 4 Lbs - Washable - Perfect for Sensory...
- ADORABLE Silky Soft, Minky Plush THREE TOED SLOTH Lap Friend for Children and Adults Alike! Great sloth weighted stuffed animal
- Tan Sloth, 17” x 22”, 4 lb REMOVABLE Glass Bead-Filled Pad with Hand WASHABLE Exterior!
HUGIMALS Weighted Stuffed Animal Kids Adults - Anxiety Stress Relief Soothing Plush - Sam The Sloth
- SOOTHING RELIEF: Hugimals are a research-backed therapeutic stress relief tool disguised as a cuddly plush friend. Developed with doctors & therapists to lower stress and anxiety and increase calm in kids, teens, and adults.
Weighted Stuffed Animal Heating Pad - Weighted Plush Sloth - Unscented Microwavable Stuffed Animal - Heatable Stuffed Animals - Sloth...
- Weighted for Calming- Our cute plushies sloth Salomon makes the perfect calming toys for relaxation. 2 and 1/2 lbs of unscented ceramic stones sit in the belly providing children a more grounded feeling when cuddling him. This weighted heating pad stuffed sloth would be a great addition to any calming corner, classroom, or sloth loving child's toy collection. Sloth gifts are loved by all.
Animal Weighted Lap Pads and Pillows
Where is the line between a weighted stuffed animal and a weighted plush pillow? I find it tricky to decide, but if it’s a pillow with a face, you’ll find it here. I like to use a lap pad at my desk, or put it over my head and shoulders to help prevent an autism meltdown when I’m not at home because weighted blankets are too big and heavy to carry in public. A weighted pillow may be preferred by some neurodivergent adults to use in professional settings. They may also aid in sleep better than plushies.
Achwishap Long Cat Plush Pillow 35.4", 1.7lb Weighted Cat Plush, Long Throw Pillow, Sleeping Hugging Pillows, Giant Cute Body Pillow,...
- [Super Cute Kitten Pillow] These long cat plush pillow features 3 kinds of emoji as smiling, dazing and winking, which imitates human face expression to bring a carefree feeling when you hug them. The cat plushie could be as an auxiliary long pillow for sleeping as well, since the fillings of the pillow will gently cradle your head and neck.
Weighted Sensory Pet galaxy minky dog, 5lb 20” long weighted lap pad, dog plush, Special needs, comfort, autism, Alzheimers, anti...
Weighted Sensory Pet strawberry bear, weighted bear plush, Special needs, autism, Alzheimers, soothing, antianxiety, weighted animal
Handmade Weighted Stuffed Animals
You can support a small business or even get a custom handmade weighted stuffed animal from these designers. I have a Mothman and it wraps around my chest perfectly. Maybe cryptid hugs aren’t for everyone, but I bet lots of our autistic and ADHD community members will love them.
I’ve featured items from three neurodivergent business owners below. You can also check out their stores directly: The Moth Mama, Auticraft, and Aleximals.
5lb Weighted Plush Mothman | Plush Art Doll Collectible | Anxiety Blanket | Stim Toy Butterfly | Cryptid Plush -...
5lb Weighted Plush Luna Moth | Soft Sculpture Moth Art Doll Collectible | Weighted Anxiety Blanket | Stim Toy |...
Weighted plush xl egg Fidget Friend 7” sensory plush, adhd, handheld plush for busy hands, anxiety, sensory plush, autism
Weighted Stuffed Animal 2lb | Weighted Plush | Weighted Stuffed Animals for Anxiety | Autism Toys | Dragon Stuffed Animal...
10lb weighted stingray plushy- weighted stuffed animal
Weighted Stuffed Calico Cat with Blue Eyes for Anxiety ADHD Stress Autism Comfort Therapy Plush
Weighted sensory friendly 28” Loch Ness monster plush handmade
Weighted stuffed animals may be small, but they can make a big difference in our mental health. If you give them a chance, these snuggly pals will surely become your new best friend in no time!
Hey I'm Olivia and I'm a proud Autistic woman. My special interests are cats, stim toys, and electronic music! I love to write and help other Autistic adults find ways to enjoy life in this LOUD world!
What's your take?