Being the world’s most popular bear, it’s not surprising that there are hundreds of panda stuffed animal toys to choose from. Big or small, realistic or cartoony, bargain or premium – there’s a lot to navigate.
Here are five of the things we think about when selecting which plushies appear on our site.
1. If you can, get the child's input
Not always possible if you’re buying a surprise, but if you can, get your kid involved. Choosing a stuffed animal together can be really fun.
We’ve got lots of options to browse on our stuffed animals & plush toys page and even if you can’t make a final choice together you can at least figure out which options are a no go and what sort of thing might work.
Just don’t show them the super lifelike, ultra adorable, mega expensive options… we’re sorry in advance.Â

2. Too big? Too small? Or just right?
While it’s tempting to go big and buy a plushie that is basically the size of a real panda, if you go too large for a small child it could end up putting them off playing with the toy.
We featured a wide range of toys from small 5″ handheld pandas that are appropriate for all ages up to gigantic 3 foot tall toys that practically need their own guest rooms.Â
If you’re not sure what size is right for you or whoever you’re buying for, try and find a toy they already like and compare. Chances are if you match that size you’ll be in the right ballpark.
3. Is this toy safe for a child aged X
If you’re buying for your own child you probably already know what’s appropriate but if you’re buying for a friend or relative it can be harder to keep up with little ones’ who are rapidly changing!
We think there’s no upper age limit on our toys but for younger panda fans there are some things to watch out for.Â
All of the plushies we feature have clear details on any small parts, choking hazzards or other risks, so it should be easy to make an informed decision.
A few of the stuffed animals featured are definitely not intended as toys, so if you’re buying a particularly expensive panda it might be intended for display only!

4. Fluffy or firm? Furry or smooth?
Stuffed animals today come in all sorts of materials, we’ve got classically fluffy options, hand crocheted bears and even more realistic short fur toys to choose from.
This one comes down to preference and you probably know your little one’s texture tastes better than anybody.Â
We prefer to feature toys with allergy safe materials, so that should be less of a worry, but it’s always worth checking with the manufacturer before you buy in case things have changed.Â
Whatever the material and feel, we go for softness above all so that the toys are extra cuddly.Â
5. You get what you pay for
We’re all about value not price at Panda Things, you don’t have to break the bank to find a high quality option but with the best toys you will end up paying for materials and construction.
If you really want to splash out with panda plushies, you can. We’ve got ultra realistic dolls, not really meant for play, that run $100 and well beyond.Â
But we’ve also found lots of decent options between $10 and $50. If you go cheaper, you’re probably trading in organic, natural materials for something more synthetic.Â
Realistically you might also expect a slightly cheaper toy to not last as long, but maybe that’s okay for your kid if they’re just going through a bit of a panda phase.Â
Spending more gets you a toy that’s more likely to last a lifetime, so if you’re buying a keepsake that you secretely hope they’ll take to college one day, we recommend splashing out a little.Â