Best Plush Puppets for Kids of 2026

Jimmy Roof Avatar
Jimmy Roof
Last Updated: Jan 12, 2026

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Plush puppets for kids are a fun and interactive way to encourage imaginative play. These soft and cuddly toys come in a variety of animal and character designs, from cute bunnies to ferocious lions. They are perfect for young children who love to act out stories and create their own adventures. Plush puppets are also great for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. With their friendly faces and huggable bodies, kids will love to snuggle up with these adorable puppets for hours of playtime fun.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

JOYIN 6Pcs Kids Hand Puppet Set Cover #TOP 1
JOYIN 6Pcs Kids Hand Puppet Set
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Melissa & Doug Safari Buddies Hand Puppets Set Cover #TOP 2
Melissa & Doug Safari Buddies Hand Puppets Set
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Bluey Bob Bilby & Unicorse Plush Puppets 2-Pack Cover #TOP 3
Bluey Bob Bilby & Unicorse Plush Puppets 2-Pack
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Plush Puppets for Kids

#TOP 1

JOYIN 6Pcs Kids Hand Puppet Set

10214
Mixed Color
9x8 inch
JOYIN 6Pcs Kids Hand Puppet Set Cover
JOYIN 6Pcs Kids Hand Puppet Set with Working Mouth, Toddler Plush Toy Includes Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, Bear, Raccoon and Monkey for Show Theater, Christmas Birthday Gifts for Kid

This set includes six super soft hand puppets, featuring elephant, giraffe, lion, bear, raccoon, and monkey. The giraffe, lion, bear, raccoon, and monkey puppets have working mouth, which is great for imaginative play, puppet show, and creative classroom or church settings. The puppets are designed to improve motor skills, hand-eye coordination, communication skills, self-confidence, and social-emotional connections. The puppets are 9 inches in height and 8 inches in width, fitting all age kids. They meet the USA toy standard.

What We Like
Cute and colorful designs
Soft and plush material
Durable and well-made
Engaging for children
Good gift value
#TOP 2

Melissa & Doug Safari Buddies Hand Puppets Set

9118
Multicolor
1 EA
Melissa & Doug Safari Buddies Hand Puppets Set Cover
Melissa & Doug Safari Buddies Hand Puppets, Set of 6 (Elephant, Tiger, Parrot, Giraffe, Monkey, Zebra) Soft, Plush Puppet, Stuffed Animals, Pretend Play Toddler Toys for Girls & Boys 2+

The Melissa & Doug Safari Buddies Hand Puppets Set includes 6 soft and cuddly hand puppets with a safari animal theme, made with brightly patterned, high-quality washable fabrics. This entertaining puppet set helps develop multiple skills such as storytelling, motor skill development, practicing vocabulary, expressing emotions, and confidence-building. It is an excellent gift for kids ages 2 and up, and encourages hands-on screen-free play, making it the "gold standard in childhood play".

What We Like
Great variety of animals
Soft and durable material
Encourages imaginative play
Vibrant colors and designs
Good for speech development
#TOP 3

Bluey Bob Bilby & Unicorse Plush Puppets 2-Pack

18054
Multicolor
8-9 inches
Bluey Bob Bilby & Unicorse Plush Puppets 2-Pack Cover
Bluey Unicorse & Bob Bilby Hand Puppet Plush 2-Pack – 8-9” Soft Deluxe Fabric, Embroidered Details, Perfect for Toddler Hands, Imaginative Play, Official Bluey Toys, Amazon Exclusive

The Bluey Bob & Unicorse Puppets are designed to bring hours of fun by letting your child play with their favorite characters, just like Bingo and Bluey do. Sized perfectly at 8-9 inches, these puppets fit comfortably on toddler hands, making them easy to use during playtime. Crafted from soft deluxe fabrics with detailed embroidery, they feel cozy to cuddle while also encouraging imaginative storytelling. These plush puppets are a great addition to your child’s toy collection, sparking creativity and enjoyable moments during both playtime and storytime.

What We Like
Perfect toddler hand size
Soft deluxe fabric
Embroidered details
Encourages imaginative play
#TOP 4

Melissa & Doug Animal Hand Puppets (Set of 2)

93189
Multi
One Size
Melissa & Doug Animal Hand Puppets (Set of 2) Cover
Melissa & Doug Animal Hand Puppets (Set of 2, 4 Animals in Each) - Zoo Friends and Farm Friends

The Melissa & Doug Animal Hand Puppets come in two sets, each with four friendly animal puppets that are brightly patterned, washable, and sized to fit both children and adults. The Farm Friends set includes a sheep, cow, pig, and horse, while the Zoo Friends set includes a tiger, monkey, elephant, and giraffe. These hand puppets make a great gift for toddlers and preschoolers, ages 2 and up, for hands-on, screen-free play.

What We Like
Bright and beautiful colors
Great quality and durability
Fun for imaginative play
Good size for kids
Variety in puppet designs
#TOP 5

MerryMakers Pete the Cat Hand Puppet

1700
Multicolored
14.5-Inch
MerryMakers Pete the Cat Hand Puppet Cover
MerryMakers Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons Hand Puppet, 14.5-Inch

The MerryMakers Pete the Cat Hand Puppet is a 14.5-inch soft fabric plush puppet that is perfect for children's reading circles, story time, bedtime, and more. The puppet can be used as a hand puppet to bring stories to life, and it measures 12 inches tall.

What We Like
Adorable puppet design
Soft and high-quality material
Engaging for children
Great for storytelling
Fun for fidgeting
#TOP 6

Ms. Rachel Official Farm Friends Baby Toy Set

6073040
Multicolor
Ms. Rachel Official Farm Friends Baby Toy Set Cover
Ms. Rachel Official Farm Friends Baby Registry Gift Set with Plush, Animals Cards & Finger Puppet, Educational Toys & Baby Toys for Girls & Boys Ages 0+ (Amazon Exclusive)

The Ms. Rachel Farm Friends Set is a wonderful collection of toys designed to engage and educate your little one. It includes a soft plush, animal cards, a pig puppet, and a baby-safe mirror, making it perfect for sensory exploration and early learning. You can use the hand puppet and accessories to introduce your child to farm animals and their sounds, encouraging imaginative play and connection. The set is crafted by Ms. Rachel and early learning experts to support important milestones from infancy to toddlerhood. Plus, the variety of textures and interactive elements help your child develop their senses in a fun and soothing way.

What We Like
Educational animal sounds
Sensory-friendly textures
Expert-designed learning tools
Includes diverse interactive items
#TOP 7

Melissa & Doug Zoo Friends Hand Puppets

96033
Multicolor
One Size
Melissa & Doug Zoo Friends Hand Puppets Cover
Melissa & Doug Zoo Friends Hand Puppets (FFP)

Get your child's imagination running with the Melissa & Doug Zoo Friends Hand Puppets set, made up of four soft hand-puppets designed with wild animals to inspire imaginative play. With soft stuffed-plush heads, the puppets are perfect for cuddling and are sized to fit both adults and children. The washable fabric ensures easy maintenance while the set is suitable for ages 2 and up, making it an ideal gift for boys and girls. It also ships in Certified Frustration-Free packaging.

What We Like
Perfect size for small hands
High-quality construction
Bright and cute colors
Great for imaginative play
#TOP 8

M&D Disney Winnie the Pooh Hand Puppets

M&D Disney Winnie the Pooh Hand Puppets Cover
Melissa & Doug Disney Winnie The Pooh Soft & Cuddly Hand Puppets

The Melissa & Doug Disney Winnie the Pooh Hand Puppets set includes four soft-stuffed plush puppets, including Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore. The hand-puppets set has been sized to fit children and most adults, and it is made from washable material that encourages cuddle time. Kids learn motor skills, hand-eye coordination, communication skills, self-confidence, and more while playing with these puppets. It is an exceptional gift for kids aged 2 to 6.

What We Like
Great quality and soft
Encourages imaginative play
Perfect size for little hands
Colorful and fun designs
Good value for the price
#TOP 9

Celestial Buddies Saturn Buddy Plush

Saturn
Blue
One Size
Celestial Buddies Saturn Buddy Plush Cover
Celestial Buddies Saturn Buddy | 10" Soft Stuffed Plush, Embroidered Features, Fun Planet Facts Tag for Kids – STEM Learning, Educational Gift, Classroom & Homeschool Science Space Astronomy | 0+

The Celestial Buddies Saturn Plush is a soft, cuddly toy designed to look like the giant planet Saturn with its shiny rings and cute embroidered details. It’s perfect for kids who love space, providing a fun way to learn about science. The plush comes with an educational tag that shares cool facts like Saturn’s orbit and weight, making it a great teaching companion. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, this planet plush can inspire curiosity and make learning about astronomy exciting and hands-on for children of all ages.

What We Like
Realistic planet design
Educational fact tag
Soft, huggable material
Ideal for STEM learning
#TOP 10

Easfan Hedgehog Plush Hand Puppet, 10”

EFX0012_Hedgehog
10 inches
Easfan Hedgehog Plush Hand Puppet, 10” Cover
Easfan Hedgehog Hand Puppet with Movable Mouth Interactive Storytelling Cute Soft Plush Toy Creativity and Imagination Easter Christmas Birthday Gifts for Toddlers Kids,10’’

The Easfan Hedgehog Hand Puppet is a soft and cozy toy designed with your child's comfort in mind. Its delicate craftsmanship ensures it’s safe to touch sensitive skin, making it perfect for little hands. This puppet encourages creativity and helps develop language skills, as kids can practice storytelling and communication while playing. Parents will find it an excellent companion for bedtime stories, helping children feel calm and secure as they drift off to sleep. Plus, its charming design adds a fun touch to playtime and makes a thoughtful gift for birthdays, Christmas, or Easter.

What We Like
Soft, skin-safe material
Encourages language development
Great for bedtime storytelling
Attractive and comforting design
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are puppets for kids?

Emotional Development Puppets can teach children about their emotions. Children can interact with the puppets as they share their ability to be happy, sad, angry, funny or jealous. Children can express these emotions too without upsetting anyone. Their puppet character is the one to feel these emotions.

2. What age is puppets suitable for?

Two to Three Years This age group also possesses good hand and finger coordination and enjoys putting these skills to work with basic arts and crafts, puppets, blocks and simple puzzles. Imaginative play also begins in the third year.

3. What are the soft plushies called?

They are known by many names, such as plush toys, plushies, stuffed animals, and stuffies; in Britain and Australia, they may also be called soft toys or cuddly toys.

Editor's Notes

During our plush puppet for kids research, we found 24 plush puppet for kids products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 155,717 customer reviews through our big data system to write the plush puppets for kids list. We found that most customers choose plush puppets for kids with an average price of $19.62.

The plush puppets for kids are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of plush puppets for kids, including JOYIN, Melissa & Doug, Bluey, MerryMakers, Ms. Rachel. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 12,941 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Jimmy Roof Avatar

Jimmy Roof is a toy designer who lives in Chicago with his family. He works in a big toy firm, so he is surrounded by toys every day. Throughout his career, he has developed expertise in children's toys, baby products and preschool education. Jimmy Roof often publishes articles related to toys on key websites.