The Best Elephant Toys for Kids

Buying Guide for Elephant Toys

Why buy elephant toys?

Most children are introduced to elephants at the zoo. Elephants have been fixtures in zoos across the world for many years in an effort to protect the species and introduce this endangered wonder to children and adults. Kids love their size, magnificent trunks, floppy ears, long noses, trumpet-like sounds, and gentle nature.

What should you consider in elephant toys?

• Materials: To ensure you get the most bang for your buck, get an elephant toy crafted with high-quality materials. If you’re looking for a plush toy, make sure that it is made with soft yet durable fabrics such as cotton, felt, or faux velvet. Figurines should be constructed with BPA-free plastic or other sturdy materials to last through every playtime. All toys should be crafted with non-toxic materials to ensure they are safe for you and your family to play with.
• Interactive Features: Young children love toys with interactive features such as lights, sounds, music, and movement. Interactive toys can teach children STEM, teamwork, and motor skills.
• Age Appropriateness: If you’re buying a toy for a toddler, look for something like a plush toy and avoid small, swallowable pieces or hard and poky materials. On the other hand, older kids will likely want cool figurines to play with that might not be as safe for little ones.

Why do they say, “an elephant never forgets?”

The saying “an elephant never forgets” originated with observations. People would watch the elephants’ behaviors as they walked the same paths to find food, water, and safety and passed these rituals down to future generations. More recently, this phrase was given a scientific stamp of approval when biologists discovered that an elephant has an impressive temporal lobe–the area of the brain associated with memory. This neat fact is just one of the many reasons elephants are so fascinating and why kids love them.

Our Picks for the Best Elephant Toys

Pros: Cute and interactive, this soft and sweet toy is perfect for babies and toddlers. He comes to life with the push of a button, featuring two play modes to entertain your child. And he has audio controls, so he isn’t too loud during naptime. Your child can press his left foot to engage in a game of peek-a-boo, where he hides behind his oversized ears. And when your child presses his right foot, they can hear one of their favorite songs. This elephant toy requires two AA batteries that are nicely tucked away so that your child cannot easily remove them. It’s recommended for children ages 6 months and up.

Cons: This is a more expensive choice.

Bottom Line: From a known and trusted toy maker for over 100 years, this adorable and high-quality elephant plush toy has features that little ones love. The ears move, and the elephant sings, so your child will enjoy hours of interactive fun. Batteries are not included, and this toy will set you back a bit more than some others.

 

Pros: If you’re looking for the best cuddle buddy for your child, you should check out this plush elephant toy! It is crafted with non-toxic velvet fabric that is soft enough for delicate baby skin yet strong enough to last through every playtime. This plush elephant also works well as a sensory toy: it features color-changing lights and three different sound options! The first option brings calming nature sounds into your home, the second option plays classic nursery rhymes, and the third option includes funny sound effects that are guaranteed to make your child laugh. Overall, this toy is wonderful, especially since it’s easy to use, easy to clean, and easy to change the batteries.

Cons: This stuffed animal is fairly small.

Bottom Line: For active little ones, this stuffed elephant makes a fantastic gift. It has tons of interactive features including music and sounds. And it is a great early introduction to STEM.

 

Pros: This elephant teething toy is specifically designed to soothe sore gums: it has a unique design that massages gums to stimulate the muscles and relieve pain. The teether features five different textures for your baby to explore and bristles designed to act as a first-stage toothbrush! The teether is lightweight and perfectly sized for small hands; it also comes with a hollow center that allows your child to firmly grip and never lose hold of the teether. It is crafted with non-toxic, food-grade silicone that gives the teether a soft, gummy texture that’ll keep your baby entertained for hours; the silicone material is also super easy to clean, making it a convenient choice for health-conscious households.

Cons: This teether is not freezer-safe.

Bottom Line: Little ones get sore gums when they’re teething. And this cute silicone elephant-shaped teether can help ease some of that pain. It has textures that little hands and mouths love, and it’s easy for babies to hold.

 

Pros: Here comes the stampede! This set of African elephant figurines is highly-detailed with realistic tusks, trunks, and ears, and even details on the skin and feet. The set includes an adult male elephant, an adult female, and two calves. Each figurine is made from high-quality, BPA-free plastic, and each toy is free of chemicals and lead and is easy to clean and maintain for years to come. Each package includes interesting facts about African elephants, so you can turn playtime into a learning experience! Plus, playing with figurines encourages imaginative play, improving creative storytelling skills and social skills. Not to mention, they can help reduce screen time.

Cons: There may be some discoloration in the finish.

Bottom Line: These elephants make a fantastic gift for children ages 3 and up. They’re over 4 inches in length, the perfect size to play next to other animal figures and small action figures. And they come with learning material that will help your child understand African elephants.

 

Pros: Kids love the fun movement, music, and sounds when playing this hands-on game. The motorized elephant begins the game with a trumpet call, then it plays music throughout the game while it blows butterflies out of its long trunk. Kids can use the butterfly nets to catch the colorful butterflies. The game comes with three butterfly nets, so three players can play together. Even putting away the game pieces can be loads of fun, and kids can work together to clean up quickly. This game is recommended for ages 3 and up.

Cons: The ears of the elephant can be difficult to snap into place. Also, the game ends quite quickly unless you have a game plan to play it over and over.

Bottom Line: This fun and interactive game features an elephant with a huge truck that shoots butterflies. The game moves quickly, encouraging children to engage in silly fun.

Final Thoughts

Elephants are fascinating creatures that people have been watching with wonder for many, many generations. Kids love their gentle nature, their fascinating physique, and their fun sounds. And elephant toys are great tools for teaching kids about these amazing animals.