Best Plush Toys of 2008

Webkinz is the rage right nowadays and has been so for a while. Featuring a wide range of animals to satisfy everyone’s desires it’s no surprise that the Webkinz range of plush toys from Ganz is topping the popularity charts. A brown cocker spaniel, an elegant white Himalayan cat and a majestic Bengal tiger are some of the Webkinz plush available. Each toy comes with its own unique code which allows users to log into the Webkinz world. This is where the virtual version of the plush comes to life. Each pet needs daily exercise, food and interaction to help them thrive. The pets are unique with different temperaments and characteristics making them all the more appealing to kids.

Nickelodeon's Ming Ming plush toy is a cute companion for your child. This adorable toy is a definite entertainer. Ming-Ming answers the can phone as she raises it to her ear and then glides around in circles on one foot as her cape flutters. She also sings "The Phone is Ringing" and The Wonder Pets theme song. There are 3 modes of play - Dance Along, Rescue Adventure and Animal Charades, all of which will delight your child.

Now you can relive some old world charm with Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit line of plush toys from Kids Preferred. The new line features toys which are made from organic cotton, eco-friendly materials and which are phthalate free. They come in recyclable, reusable, PVC free packaging and are produced in socially responsible factories. These cute toys are reminiscent of homemade plush toys with their simple design and basic outfits. The 18 inch Peter Rabbit plush looks strapping in his blue jacket and carrot in his hand. Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton Tail all stand at 13 inches tall with matching pale pink wraps.

The famous TV character who lives in a pineapple under the sea is sure to tickle your child's funny bone. This SpongeBob Square Pants plush is full of super silly phrases, tricky tongue twisters and jolly jokes. Just grab his tongue or squeeze his nose while he’s talking, and SpongeBob’s voice becomes simply weird. This Spongbob plush is a real hoot.

The Elmo Live plush toy from Fisher-Price is definitely not just one of the best plush toys of the year, but one of the top ten toys of the year. Elmo keeps getting more lifelike every year. This year there are some even better features aside from Elmo's so-cute giggle. When Elmo opens and closes his mouth and when his head wobbles back and forth, it seems like Elmo from Sesame Street is right there in front of you. Elmo Live even crosses his legs while doing his song, dance, and story telling routine aside from his trademark waving of arms. Just like last year, Elmo is interactive.

Tumbles is the latest addition to the Fur Real Friends line of realistic plush toys. This little fellow rolls over and rolls back in a jiffy. When you pet his tummy, he will wiggle with joy - just like a real puppy. When you pet him, he will fall asleep. He even cuddles up to you. Tumbles comes with an adoption certificate. A lovely plush toy indeed.

Hasbro's Furreal Friends line of almost-like-the-real-thing plush toys have been very popular of late. Furreal Friends Biscuit is one of the best ones of the bunch. This life-sized golden retriever can actually recognize your voice through highly innovative voice recognition technology. Words like sit,” “sit up and beg,” “lie down,” “give me a paw,” “speak” and “do you want a treat?” are fair game to Biscuit, the lovable pup causing him to move his head and ears, blink his eyes, wag his tail and bark. Girls as well as boys will love Biscuit! Biscuit is recommended for ages 5 and up.

Warm Whiskers are a line of plush toys which double up as pillows. But wait, these are not ordinary pillows. They are stuffed with herbs like buckwheat and lavender. The unique part about these furry stuffed animals is that you can microwave them and apply them to achy areas to experience some relief. You can also freeze them and they act as cold packs. I loved the feel of these soft plushies - they are beautifully made.

Cuddlekins Babies, as the name signifies, is a line from Wild Republic that offers a range of baby animal plushies. Baby alligators, jaguars, tigers, white tigers, pandas, black bears, elephants, koala bears, penguins and giraffes are on hand to cater to every child’s desire. For the more imaginative or flamboyant child, blue frogs, alligators and even a baby dragon can be acquired.