Are plush toys the new trend for 2025? Plush toys are all the rage in 2025. Brian Benway, a senior tech and gaming analyst at Mintel, in a conversation with Business Insider, said that sales of stuffed toys have steadily increased in recent years, in fact, the sales from some major companies are almost as much as Legos.
Moreover, data from Grand View Research reports that the global plush toy market is projected to grow 8.2% annually over the next five years. So it is safe to say Plush Toys will dominate the market in 2025.
What Makes Plush Toys Popular?
The history of Plush Toys dates back to the late 1800s. It started as collector’s limited edition plush collections, however they gained mainstream popularity in the 2000s with more pop cultural elements incorporated in the designs. The plush toys gained popularity because of their unique designs and the emotional comfort that they offer. Their soft texture provides a sense of security and nostalgia that is loved not only by kids but also by adults.
With an increase in popularity, you can now find a variety of designs, from popular characters to custom plush toys. Because of their versatility plush toys transcend age and function, in fact, Gen Z and Millennials have played an important role in transforming modern toy market trends. It was reported that customers over 18 were responsible for more than $1 billion in sales in the last three months of 2024, which was higher than the sales from 3-5-year-olds.
Though plush toys have kept their timeless charm with younger kids, they have slowly but surely drawn a niche customer base among older customers, with 23% of 18-24-year-olds reporting they play with stuffed toys, and custom plush toys are perhaps one of the most popular niches among this age group.
Custom Plush Toy Trends To Watch Out For In 2025
Sustainable Materials
The use of sustainable materials has significantly increased over the past few years as consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of their purchasing choices. This is also true for plush toys. The plush toy industry is expected to use more sustainable plush materials to respond to this increasing demand for eco-friendly plush toys.
Today’s sustainable plush toys include recycled fabrics, organic cotton, and biodegradable stuffing materials that minimize the footprint during production, and the companies also focus on eco-friendly manufacturing processes like reducing waste, saving water and energy, and ensuring ethical sourcing.
For sustainability, transparency is an important element and so in 2025, it is expected that more companies will be transparent about their processes and the use of materials by obtaining certifications that will validate their commitment to sustainability.
Personalized Stuffed Animals
As the demand for unique and meaningful products increases, and a trend for mindless purchasing decreases, the sales for custom plush toys increase. Personalized stuffed toys fulfill this desire by giving a product that has sentimental value, and is highly individualized.
The personalized options may range from an embroidered name or initials, a special date, to full customization where the customers choose color, fabric, size, shape, and accessories such as clothes or hats. Advanced 3-D configuration technology can also help customers visualize their designs before purchase.
The customization element appeals to a wide category of consumers, including gifters looking for sentimental gifts, parents and grandparents who would want to get customized toys for children, collectors searching for something unique, and businesses that require branded merchandise. Moreover, personalization develops an emotional attachment not only to the plush toy but also to the brand.
The most popular custom plush toys include replicas of beloved pets, customized wedding gifts with embroidered details, or mascots designed specifically for the brand. With customization, businesses have the opportunity to meet growing consumer demand and provide something unique which is why we expect to see an increasing trend of personalized stuffed toys.
Interactive Plush Designs
In 2025, the plush toy industry is expected to incorporate technology into traditional designs to create products that provide more than cuddly comfort. We expect the incorporation of advanced features that spark creativity, learning, and engagement. We will get a more immersive experience with the use of embedded smart technology.
The incorporation of sensors that respond to touch, sound, or movement is the driving force of this trend in 2025. These sensors respond by triggering a variety of sounds, lights, or vibrations that make the playing experience dynamic and interactive.
Many of these interactive plush designs allow connections over WiFi or Bluetooth which open up opportunities for interactive storytelling, games, and educational activities. Some even incorporate augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to make characters come alive or take children on virtual adventures, combining physical and digital realities.
For kids, these interactive plush designs may provide a great opportunity for learning, in fact, many educators are now using them as teaching tools for hands-on learning.
Limited Edition Plush Collections
The market for limited edition plush toys is expected to boom in 2025, because of the increased demand for special and exclusive items by fans and collectors. These products have a special demand from customers who have fans of specific franchises like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Marvel, and custom plush toys offer an opportunity to expand their collection.
Partnerships with popular franchises like movies, video games, anime, and comics might be a major reason for this growing trend, since plush toys have become very popular in the last few years, more marketing teams are looking to market their franchise by launching limited edition plush collectibles.
By creating trademarked officially licensed custom plush toys, brands can capitalize on established fandoms, and by limiting the number of production runs, many brands may be looking to maintain exclusivity. By manufacturing small quantities of each plush toy, often numbered or with special tags, manufacturers create a sense of scarcity that increases the item’s collectibility and demand, targeting collectors, fans, and enthusiasts. Since this provides a great profit margin we will get to see an increased demand and production of limited edition plush collections.
Nostalgic Plushies
Nostalgic plushies are one of the expected trends that will dominate the custom plush toy industry in 2025. With Y2K making a comeback, manufacturers are interested in taking inspiration from designs of classic creations from the 90s and Y2K eras and creating new versions of favorite toys parents once loved to share with their children. It is reported that Two in five parents say they would be interested in buying toys they had as a child, which goes to show that we will be seeing a return of some of the popular plush designs from the ’90s and early 2000s.
Additionally, the growing popularity of plush toys, especially among “kidults” (adults who are rediscovering the comforting and sentimental appeal of childhood companions) means there will be a new consumer base. With many of these kids going to college, we will see a surge in custom plush toys that will form a part of dorm decor. So we can expect pillow-sized plushies offering both style and comfort to gain popularity.
For adults experiencing stress or anxiety, plush toys from their past can be comforting and remind them of simpler times. Classic characters like Peanuts and Hello Kitty, among other popular childhood figures, have been seeing a resurgence and are expected to gain even more popularity in 2025.
Cultural Diversity And Personality Plug
With the increase in awareness about diversity, inclusion, and representation worldwide, more and more consumers are looking to purchase products from companies that adhere to these values. This is also true for custom plush toys.
People want to purchase toys that reflect them, and so there is an increased demand for plush toys with diverse cultural elements. Parents and educators also want toys that are representative of various cultures, ethnicities, races, and genders so they look for toys that celebrate diversity and promote positive messages of acceptance.
Many brands in 2025 will be looking for characters that represent a broad spectrum of ethnicities, body types, and abilities. Custom plush toys with diverse skin tones, hair textures, and facial features will be representative of various cultures and ethnicities, whereas characters that incorporate adaptive clothing or sensory features for children with disabilities will cater to a large group of kids that will be able to enjoy these plush toys even more.
As more parents seek toys that reflect the world’s rich diversity, companies can promote their reputation as a positive brand by incorporating these elements. The demand for inclusive toys is also prompting companies to partner with organizations that promote diversity and inclusion, creating opportunities for wider market reach and positive social impact.
Macro To Miniature
Another trend that is expected to rise even more in 2025 is miniature and small plush toys. Large plushies have been popular for a long time now. Their comforting size and huggable nature make them an ideal decor piece and a great toy for kids. These jumbo plush toys, with their large, cuddly appeal, generate a sense of security and comfort. There are a number of iconic characters that appeal to every age group that have been converted into large plush toys.
While these large plush toys have always been popular, small plush toys have recently started gaining popularity. Their small size adds a charm due to their simplicity, portability, and collectible nature. Small plushies fit perfectly into pockets, bags, or display shelves, making them easy to carry and show off.
Many influencers have played a role in making miniature plush toys popular, by sharing their personal collections on Instagram and TikTok. In 2025 the trend is expected to gain even more popularity.
Hobbies
In 2025 hobbies and interest-based custom plush toys are set to become a major trend. People are drawn towards plushies that are representative of their passions. Whether you’re someone who loves cooking, gardening, makeup, or even a niche interest, you can get a custom plush toy that suits your interests.
For example for a garden lower, a flower plush toy or perhaps even a gardening tool plush toy would make a great purchase.
This is a trend that appeals to both adults and children because it celebrates unique individual interests.
Educational Plush Toys
In recent years many parents have started prioritizing educational toys as they have been shown to have a huge impact on a child’s development. This makes educational plush toys one of the most popular trends in 2025. These plushies are designed to promote developmental skills such as language acquisition, basic math concepts, emotional intelligence, and fine motor abilities.
Interactive features like buttons that trigger songs or quizzes, and accompanying books or apps, further enhance the learning experience and make playtime an opportunity for education. Examples include plush toys teaching the alphabet or emotions, accompanied by storybooks or sensory textures.
Where Can I Get Custom Plush Toys?
If you’re a business who’s looking to make a custom plush toy, or you just want it for yourself, or your loved one, CustomPlushMaker is the name you should trust. Not only does it provide highly customized options, the exceptional quality but it also stands out for its focus on sustainability.
Incorporating all of the latest trends of 2025, CustimPlushMaker offers you the best product. They integrate eco-friendly materials and processes in each product to ensure that the toys are safe for both children and the planet.
All you need to do to place your order is send your custom design details. We will design a prototype that you can buy, and once approved the order will be delivered after the completion of production.
Conclusion
2025 custom plush toy trends are all about ethical production while promoting creativity, developmental skills, and inclusivity to meet the demands of both emotional comfort and positive parenting.
