“Stuffed animals are for kids,” or “Having plushies as an adult is childish,” are lines I often hear from family members. Some suggested I should get rid of my stuffed toys entirely and give my room a big makeover because it’s far from classy. Honestly, I think my room feels perfectly fine the way it is, and the plushies are part of what makes my space feel entirely mine.
As a child, I’d tuck every single plushie I owned around my bed and make sure not to leave one out, believing they might get jealous and upset if I did. I’m in my early 30s now, so of course, I don’t believe that anymore, but I still keep a few next to me as I sleep. Do I find it embarrassing? Not at all. Sure, some people might find it a little odd, but really… who decided that there should be an age limit for plushies?
I’m sure owning stuffed toys and even sleeping beside them is much more common than people will admit. The only reason we often don’t hear about it is because of the stigma, and I’d like to see that change. That’s why I dug into the research, so I can confidently explain and back up why it’s perfectly okay. I’m more than happy to share what I’ve learned with you so that you can pass it along and help spread the word, too.
The Love for Plushies Is Universal
On National Teddy Bear Day in 2017, a survey of 2,000 people revealed that 72% planned to keep their plushies forever, while 40% admitted to sleeping with them close by. This type of attachment knows no borders and is the same everywhere in the world.
In the U.K., for example, research shows that one in five children’s toys is actually bought by adults for themselves - not for their kids, nephews, or nieces.
And in many parts of Southeast Asia, plushies aren’t limited to bedroom companions but are a part of daily life. It’s common to see people carrying dolls and stuffed animals to work and clipping tiny plushies to their bags. After all, cuteness is a major part of their culture.
I’ve also wandered into online forums like Reddit and Quora, and there are more people than I could possibly count from every corner of the world who are keeping their stuffed animals close to their hearts.
While this didn't surprise me, it did warm my heart to learn that even royals and celebrities share the same fondness as ordinary people. Prince Andrew has up to 87 teddy bears, while the late legendary musician Elton John boasted a rare and vintage collection. Then there’s the celebrated actress Meryl Streep, media mogul Oprah Winfrey, and pop superstar Lady Gaga, to name a few.
So, is there an age limit for plushies? As you can see, people who love stuffed animals come from any age group and walk of life. Some have a single cherished toy they’ve kept since childhood, while others love to collect and are vocal about it.
Now, skeptics may say things like, “Just because many people do it doesn’t make it normal,” or they’ll brush it off as nothing more than a passing trend popularized by celebrities or even a fetish. But is it really? Or could it be that they’re overlooking the benefits of having these little companions?
Studies Show Plushies Benefit Adults the Same Way as Kids
So... Is it normal to have a stuffed animal as an adult? And why do adults use plushies in the first place? The good news is… YES! Experts say it’s healthy and they even encourage it.
I know many people have found solace in plushies during hard times, especially during the pandemic when you barely saw anyone face-to-face. But this isn’t something that just started in 2020. In fact, there's a long, well-documented history of people forming deep emotional bonds with their stuffed toys.
Take Atlanta-based audio producer Kacie Willies, for example. She’s had Kasey Kangaroo since she was four, and to this day, that soft, worn little kangaroo still sits on her bed just like my monkey Abu does on mine. For people like me, plushies are beyond cute decorations. My soft, squishy friends are little anchors in rough waters that help me get through life’s toughest moments. Hugging the plushies my long-distance boyfriend sent me also makes it easier for me to sleep, almost like holding a piece of him when he’s oceans away.
That idea is echoed by Max Genecov, a grad student in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania who once wrote a love letter to his plushies for The New York Times Magazine. He also calls plushies “transitional objects,” while psychiatry professor Jennifer Goldschmied of the same university points out that adults use plushies to self-soothe in the exact same way kids do.
And yes, there’s actual research to back this up. In 2016, a study found that college students who held stuffed animals during group therapy were better at calming themselves down. Going back a bit further, a 2013 study found that hugging a soft, huggable device lowered stress hormones in both blood and saliva.
While studies on the psychology of stuffed animals and humans are still ongoing, their magical impact is hard to deny. As adults, we don’t outgrow that desire for comfort and security. We just find new (and sometimes familiar) ways to get it, and for many of us, plushies meet those needs in a charming, amusing way.
Final Verdict: You’re Never Too Old for Plushies
It's settled! Many people worldwide keep their love for plushies well into adulthood, and experts even support it, noting that plushies can help reduce stress, regulate emotions, and offer a sense of security just as they did for us when we were younger. There’s no age limit! The experts themselves have their own plushies.
So don’t be ashamed and embrace what you love. Proudly owning plushies without deferring to what others think of you has got to be one of the most adult things you can do.
If you’re looking for a fresh start or a few additions to your plushies pack, you’ve got plenty of options. There’s the Capybara with a Turtle Tortoise Backpack, Baby Pig in Costume Sipping Boba Tea, and Rocky Raccoon, to name a few. If you prefer something more realistic, we’ve got lifelike options, such as this gigantic Croissant that looks as tasty as the real deal. Whichever you choose, you’re bound to fall in love, but remember to wash your plushies every now and then to keep them fresh and pleasant to cuddle.