Soft toys may feel timeless, but like all beloved inventions, they had a beginning. Today, plush animals and cuddly companions are found in nurseries and bedrooms around the world, but their origins reveal a fascinating blend of craftsmanship, psychology, and even politics. The story of the first soft toy shows how a simple idea can shape childhoods for generations.
From Handmade Comforts to Mass Production
Before soft toys became widely available, children often cuddled homemade dolls fashioned from scraps of cloth or leftover fabric. These early creations were less about realism and more about comfort — simple figures that children could project their imaginations onto. They weren’t marketed as toys, but their purpose was the same: to soothe, entertain, and nurture.
The shift came in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when industrialisation made it possible to produce soft toys at scale. German toymakers, including the famous Steiff company, pioneered stuffed animals that were safer, softer, and more appealing to children than the stiff dolls of earlier times.
The Birth of the Teddy Bear
The true “first soft toy” to capture the world’s heart was the teddy bear. Its origin story begins in 1902, when U.S. President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt refused to shoot a captured bear during a hunting trip. The incident was widely publicised in newspapers, and soon after, two separate toymakers — Morris Michtom in America and Richard Steiff in Germany — created stuffed bears in his honour.
Children adored the cuddly bears, and adults quickly saw their appeal too. Unlike porcelain dolls or wooden soldiers, teddy bears were soft enough to hug, and their friendly design made them instantly relatable. The teddy bear sparked a revolution in toy design, paving the way for soft animals of every shape and size.
Why the First Soft Toy Mattered
The teddy bear wasn’t just a commercial success; it changed how people thought about toys. Suddenly, toys weren’t only about play but also about emotional connection. The teddy bear became a symbol of comfort, companionship, and innocence — values that still define soft toys today.
Psychologists have since shown that soft toys act as “transitional objects,” helping children manage emotions, cope with separation, and build confidence. The teddy bear’s popularity wasn’t an accident — it tapped into something deeply human.
From Teddy to Today
Over a century later, the teddy bear remains one of the most beloved toys of all time, joined by countless other soft animals, characters, and comfort objects. From handmade keepsakes to AI-powered plush toys that talk and respond, the spirit of the first soft toy lives on: to comfort, to accompany, and to be loved.
When you gift a child a soft toy, you’re not just giving them something to play with — you’re continuing a tradition that began with the very first teddy bear over 100 years ago. It’s more than a toy; it’s a piece of history, love, and comfort.