But stuffed animals aren’t just for people working through trauma. Anyone can benefit from the gentleness, softness and self-soothing that a cute, plush object can bring, Genecov said.

Stuffed animals “struck a chord with young adults and adults as a means to entertain, collect, and provide comfort during the pandemic,” she said in an email. Build-A-Bear even has an entire ...

When animals become brands For many animal-centered tourist attractions, a single animal going viral can be a like a rising tide that lifts all boats. And few things can bring more attention and ...

Beyond the mental health benefits, another reason adults are increasingly drawn to these plush toys might just be the grown-up price tag. Jellycats can range from around $10 for a mini keychain ...

But stuffed animals aren't just for people working through trauma. Anyone can benefit from the gentleness, softness and self-soothing that a cute, plush object can bring, Genecov said.

Adults can sleep with stuffed animals, too. It might even be a good thing, experts say By Madeline Holcombe, CNN | Posted - March 30, 2025 at 5:24 p.m.

Greenberg says that adults sometimes sleep with stuffed animals or blankets as a way to comfort and soothe themselves. “These items may be used as part of a bedtime routine,” she says.

The real jackpot, though, is merchandise. Stuffed animals, T-shirts, fridge magnets, keychains, kids’ books and other branded products are a major way for zoos and aquariums to make money.

Cute features in babies and animals are more than just amusing—they trigger powerful evolutionary responses that help our species’ survival. Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo that has become ...

By James Scott, Kat McNevins, Carys Anderson, Kimberley Jones, Lina Fisher, and Cat McCarrey, Fri., Nov. 15, 2024 Tweet print write a letter ...

The Taleless Dog Booksellers in Kentucky is located in a more-than-100-year-old building and has a cat named Nora to help sell books.