stuffed toy tours

Interested in owning a Rydables franchise? Click here for more info.

Ride. smile. repeat. ®.

Rydables brings out the kid in all of us! Captivating stuffed animal on the outside. Super safe electric cart on the inside. Rydables creates a fun, memorable, interactive experience for all sorts of events, venues, fundraisers, and business opportunities.

Have Fun Have fun cruising around on giant stuffed animals! Make Money Learn how to profit with the interactive fun of Rydables! -->

Have a great time and an amazing experience cruising around on giant stuffed animals – for the kid in all of us ! Make memories for years to come.

Guided Tours

Parties & Events

Rydables offers a variety of programs and options enabling you to participate in the exciting demand. From partnerships to purchasing with no money down options available. 

Party & Event Planners

Zoos & Wildlife Parks

Schools & Fundraising

Resorts & Theme Parks

Rydables Opportunities

RYDABLES™ are electric, battery-powered carts designed for multi-terrain outdoor experiences. Rydables are enjoyed by riders of all ages and sizes, both adults and children.

The custom-designed carts can be covered (“skinned”) in an ever-growing number of choices ranging from animals (currently about 60 different choices) to motorcycles and more. The significant focus placed on creating a safe and reliable cart has produced an exciting product that appeals to a large and diverse market that includes all demographics of the population.

The demand in the market for hands-on, experiential entertainment is significant and growing. The industry of affordable, family-oriented amusement and entertainment products generates $100’s of millions in annual sales. Perfect to add to an existing business or powerful enough to start a new business with this exciting new product.

See All Features

6 Toy Factory Tours To Take With Your Kids

Toy stories.

Your kids love toys. And, chances are, they love places full of big, loud machines and cool equipment. See where this is going? These 6 factory tours offer great behind-the-scenes peeks and enable curious kids to use their busy hands. Plus, they present the rare opportunity to see how things are made the old-fashioned way. Just … make sure the kids are old enough before you show them how teddy bears get stuffed.

flickr / C.C. Chapman

Louisville Slugger Museum, Louisville, KY

The Slugger Museum has been cranking out bats since 1884. On this tour, your kids can see every step of the bat-making process, from the shaping to the sealing. They’ll also be psyched to see the museum’s collection of famous sluggers wielded by the likes of Mickey Mantle and other Hall of Famers, as well as the world’s largest bat. An exact replica of the one Babe Ruth used, it weighs 68,000 pounds and stands 120 feet tall. There are also batting cages and a simulated pitching system to test your kids’ arms against MLB’s best. After the tour, each kid gets a free miniature bat. And yes, they will use it to terrorize their siblings.

Learn More Here

flickr / Natasha Lloyd

Vermont Teddy Bear Company, Shelburne, VT

Before you sign up for this tour, ask yourself: are your kids old enough to see toy bear carcasses stuffed with filling? Because that sight could really mess a kid up. This tour features Bear Ambassador guides who walk kids through the bear-making process and drop educational nuggets on them about things like the ins and outs of modular manufacturing. After the tour (free for kids 12 and under and only $4 for adults), kids can pick up a bear in the gift shop or even create their own. Although they aren’t cheap: a 20-inch bear will run you about $60.

ColumbusFamilyAdventures.com

American Whistle Corporation, Columbus, OH

Yeah, they’re the weapon of evil gym teachers who make you run too many wind sprints. But whistles are pure kid-fodder, and yours will likely enjoy seeing how they’re produced. This 45-minute tour gets kids up close and personal with the metal whistle crafting process. They’ll see a mix of both modern machinery and equipment that dates back to the turn of the century while a tour guide rattles off fun facts about whistles. Like how the whistle was first conceived in 1878 when referees were looking for something more effective than a handkerchief to get players’ attention.

Wikimedia Commons

Crayola Experience, Easton, PA

Crayola’s factory in Easton, Pennsylvania, doesn’t let you see the actual process behind making crayons, but it does explain how it’s done and more. The factory is bigger than a football field and has 4 floors packed with activities. There’s an 85-foot-wide water table and a glow-in-the-dark room on the third floor. On the fourth floor, check out the Melt and Mold room, where kids can melt crayons then mold them into whatever shapes they want.

Kissack Adventures

Wisconsin Wagon Company, Janesville, WI

The Wisconsin Wagon Company started crafting genuine, full-sized wagons long before the automobile started encroaching on its market. Then, a retired businessman had an epiphany that the wagons could have a second life … as gifts for kids. Each Wisconsin Wagon Company product is handmade from wood and is the kind of toy that can be passed down from generation to generation. Tours of its factory are free and will show kids how the impressive wheelbarrows and wagons are made. The hour-long affair covers every aspect of the process, beginning in the lumber yard and ending in the shipping warehouse.

flickr / William McKeehan

Cabbage Patch Kids Babyland General Hospital, Cleveland, GA

No, Cabbage Patch “hospital” isn’t a factory. It’s a Georgia farmhouse built on 650 acres to foster the mythos of the Cabbage Patch brand, which involves an origin story about magical seeds and babies springing from plants. So, this is a sort of factory. There’s a fantastical garden, a troop of guides dressed as nurses and doctors, and tons of dolls lining the path. It’s weird. But if you have a kid who’s obsessed with the dolls, well, they’ll be pretty stoked to see where the big headed play things were born.

This article was originally published on March 7, 2017

Follow Polygon online:

• Follow Polygon on Facebook
• Follow Polygon on Youtube
• Follow Polygon on Instagram

Site search

• How to access the DLC
• What to do first
• Interactive map
• Walkthrough
• Scadutree Fragments
• Erdtree map fragments
• Boss locations
• Hornsent questline
• Sir Ansbach questline
• All DLC guides
• Elden Ring DLC
• Zenless Zone Zero
• Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
• Baldur’s Gate 3
• PlayStation
• Dungeons & Dragons
• Magic: The Gathering
• Board Games
• All Tabletop
• All Entertainment
• What to Watch
• What to Play
• Buyer’s Guides
• Really Bad Chess
• Pile-Up Poker
• All Puzzles

Filed under:

Disney’s limited edition Star Tours playset is just a tiny version of the ride

The limited edition playset will be available to purchase starting Aug. 12

If you buy something from a Polygon link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement .

Share this story

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on Reddit
• Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: Disney’s limited edition Star Tours playset is just a tiny version of the ride

Disney didn’t have to go this hard with a Star Tours playset, but they did, and now I’m spending $300 on a recreation of an antiquated Disney World attraction. Announced as part of the D23 fan event, the Star Tours collector’s playset features an impeccably detailed recreation of the StarSpeeder 3000 as it appeared in the original Star Tours attraction as it first appeared back in 1987. The $300 model will be available to purchase exclusively from the Disney Store starting on Aug. 12, with units limited to one per customer.

StarSpeeder 3000 Playset

Prices taken at time of publishing.

• $300 at Disney

The StarSpeeder 3000 model is roughly 24 inches long and 14 inches high when mounted on its light-up stand and has a number of dynamic lighting effects and features along its exterior, including blasters, thrusters, and headlights. A small button on the rear of the ship opens the boarding doors on the side and even plays a recording of the original greeting from the ship's pilot RX-24 (as voiced by Paul Reubens).

The fully-modeled interior is a stunning recreation of the original ride, including an LCD screen which displays clips from the original Star Tours attraction, and even syncs up the interior lighting to the playback. RX-24 and his co-pilot, R2-D2 are also included as part of the playset and can be placed in their appropriate positions on top and inside the StarSpeeder 3000.

Star Tours has since been replaced by a much shinier version of the same ride. But if you’re someone who accepts no substitutes, this playset is about the closest you can get to the original.

Next Up In Star Wars

The next level of puzzles.

Take a break from your day by playing a puzzle or two! We’ve got SpellTower, Typeshift, crosswords, and more.

Sign up for the newsletter Shopkeeper

We deliver the best gaming deals to your inbox for the perfect price: free

Just one more thing!

Please check your email to find a confirmation email, and follow the steps to confirm your humanity.

Oops. Something went wrong. Please enter a valid email and try again.

All new Helldivers 2 enemies should be revealed in-game

New video from STALKER 2 studio leans into the authenticity of The Zone

Pick up the definitive Borderlands collection for its lowest price ever on Steam

Baldur’s Gate 3 just won the biggest award in fantasy and sci-fi

Our first look at Netflix’s new One Piece anime shows how hard it is to adapt Oda’s opus

The best deals from GOG’s massive RPG sale

Send Your Stuffed Animals on a Tour of Japan so You Don't Have To Wish you were here

March 26, 2014 • words written by Linda Lombardi • Art by Aya Francisco

Did you ever have an idea that you were sure no one else would ever think of? And then, because we have the Internet, you found out that there were people doing the same thing all over the world?

That's what happened to me when I started taking photos of my stuffed Kogepan toys on my vacations. I took them with me to California , to New York City, and around the monuments and museums of Washington DC . I thought I was original and maybe a little bit odd. Then I went to post the photos online and discovered there was more than one Flickr group devoted to traveling stuffed toys .

And now, I'm kicking myself for not realizing that this was actually evidence of a huge under-served market. Sadly, I was not as brilliant as Sonoe Azuma, who three years ago opened a travel agency for stuffed toys in Japan.

It's called Unagi Travel, and it started out because Sonoe Azuma had the same hobby I did: she took photos of her stuffed eel Unasha and blogged about it. Now Unasha serves as stuffed animal tour guide and together they've taken about 450 stuffed toys from all over the world on trips around Tokyo as well as excursions to other areas. Her customers are so satisfied that more than half come back for another trip, and one, a hippo named Kaba-san from Osaka, has been on six trips.

Customers can choose from various options: a tour around Tokyo including Asakusa, Meiji Jingu Shrine and Tokyo Tower, a one-day tour to an onsen, a weekend in Kyoto, and special tours that are sometimes offered, including to the Tohoku region. While you follow along via social media, your stuffed animal will see the sights and learn about Japanese culture, like calligraphy:

…and have Japanese meals that you will envy:

If your toy is a real free spirit, you can surprise it with a Mystery Tour. The Mystery Tour may visit other parts of Tokyo, Azuma told us, such as Shibuya, Ginza, or Roppongi, or places in nearby prefectures such as Kawagoe or Odawara. Or it may have a cultural theme, and your toy may come home knowing more than you do about architecture of the Meiji period or bronze statues.

Tours are limited to ten so everyone gets enough personal attention. You're assured that your animal will never be placed directly on the ground, and asked whether your toy has any food allergies, whether it gets seasick or carsick, and if there's anything in particular your creature wants to see or do on the tour.

The form that customers fill out also asks how long you've been together and has you tell something about the toy's character. Along with the photos, the answers to these questions often show up on Unagi's Facebook page, so it's fun to follow even if you're not sending a toy on a trip yourself. People have all sorts of creative stories about their toys, and there's often the hint of interesting human stories behind them as well.

One toy from France on a recent trip was said to have been with its thirty year old owner since she was one day old, and loves chocolate and knitting. A pair of handmade cats from Nara Prefecture called Custard-san and Hana-san from Nara Prefecture were said to be on a mother-daughter trip together. They're supportive of each other, and the mom loves to listen to enka. And a toy called Little Brother Bear was returning to Tokyo where he had lived sixty years ago.

All sorts of creatures are allowed, as long as they weigh under 250 grams, and you need to mail your toy to Tokyo. The Tokyo tour is $45; special tours cost more, like $95 for two days in Kyoto.

Do you have more questions about this? So did we. Azuma was kind enough to answer a few questions for Tofugu:

Tofugu: What kinds of toys do foreigners send? Are they different from Japanese, or does everyone like the same kind of stuffed animal?

Unagi: Foreigners tend to send us realistic animal toys, whereas Japanese tend to send us cute toys. Regardless of whether it's from Japan or overseas, the teddy bear accounts for a large percentage.

Tofugu: What's the most unusual toy you have taken on a tour?

Unagi: It was a Japanese spiny lobster.

Tofugu: When you go on overnight trips, how do the innkeepers feel about having stuffed animals as customers?

Unagi: Once the business understands the concept, we are very welcome.

Tofugu: Your job sounds like so much fun. What do you like about it?

Unagi: I'm happy that I can make my customers happy and energetic. For example, there was a man who applied for our trip in order to make his wife happy, who was very busy raising their child. After the trip, he gave us the feedback that our trip became a good pastime for her and she really enjoyed it. Although this is a small business, it's very satisfying for me because I can do something for someone else. This job also requires imagination, creativity, and interpersonal skills. That part of it is also fun for me.

Now, I know what some of you are thinking: "What is the matter with these people? What normal adult would pay good money to send a stuffed animal on vacation?" If you don't get the fun of this, maybe what you need are some of the heartwarming tales: One customer who was in a wheelchair wanted her toy to go down narrow alleys that she was unable to navigate. Or you'd have to have a heart of stone not to be touched by Connor the Chemo Duck from Tennessee, a stuffed therapy animal for children with cancer, especially when he went to Senso-ji temple to fan himself with the healing smoke.

And if you're thinking this is one of those uniquely weird Japanese things, not so fast: right now, Azuma says that half of her customers are from overseas.

There was actually once a similar business in Prague – the owner was half-Japanese, and it eventually failed, and one in Berlin seems to be hanging on, although they seem to do tours far less often. But I think there's global potential here. I'm thinking maybe I need to open a company like this of my own. Don't you think Japanese stuffed animals would love to come see the cherry blossoms in Washington DC?

If you'd like to send your stuffed animal on a tour of Japan, be sure to visit Unagi Travel's website to get more information. And don't forget their facebook and twitter pages either.

Watch CBS News

Japan entrepreneur offers package tours for stuffed animals

By Lucy Craft

May 17, 2013 / 8:55 AM EDT / CBS News

TOKYO The Unagi Travel company caters to a decidedly underserved corner of the tourism market: Clients must be quiet, petite, and fluffy.

It is a travel agency, in other words, for stuffed animals.

It may not be easy bein' green, as Kermit used to wail, but you sure can't beat the travel perks. For as little as $20 (roundtrip shipping to Japan is extra), and no more than $50, even for a plush trip to a hot spring resort, toy travel agent Sonoe Azuma will escort the stuffed animal of your choice around local highlights, exhaustively blogging the jaunt in real-time on her Facebook page .

On a recent package tour, the 38-year-old entrepreneur clutched her charges -- a small toy dragon, frog and mouse, mailed in by owners from the U.S. and Japan -- and waded purposefully into the throngs at Tokyo's popular Asakusa Kannon temple.

Oblivious to the bemused, confused stares from passers-by, she posed the toys in front of a souvenir shop, grabbed a snapshot, and tapped out a quick accompanying message on her smartphone to preserve the moment for Internet posterity.

"I wanted to provide adventures for everyone, including people who are physically challenged," she said. "If their stuffed animals could travel all over the world, I thought it would be a communication tool."

Azuma's newly launched Unagi Travel offers four to five trips every month.

"I try to treat (the toy) as a person," said Azuma, who kicks off each tour by seating the toys at a conference table for an "orientation," complete with homemade tour pamphlets.

On a trip to a Japanese-style inn, the stuffed animals -- she dresses them up like real patrons, in doll-sized cotton kimonos -- get tucked into their own futon. She'll stage pillow fights and poses the toys chillaxing with a glass of beer, or "munching" on a Japanese matcha tea cake (for the sake of a photo-op, she obligingly takes the bite), packing as much local color into each tour as possible.

The venture grew, oddly enough, out of Azuma's previous occupation as a globe-trotting banker.

"I had lots of opportunities to visit abroad. I did my job, of course, did some shopping and eating out. But that was it." Despite her extensive traveling, she felt she had come away with only the most superficial impression of each destination.

While brainstorming a way that foreign visitors could somehow connect with local culture, she hit on the idea of taking toys on virtual tours as proxies for their owners.

From the tour guide's point of view, running package trips for teddy bears, Pokemon dolls and Disney characters has plenty of upside: No whiny customers. No clueless tourists gone missing. No bathroom or meal breaks. And reservations are a snap -- a single ticket for the tour guide and her purse-sized menagerie is adequate.

As for making money off the venture, so far, Azuma says she's in the red, although she insists the company could be viable once she "scales-up" and hires partners in other cities.

While it may all sound nutty, Azuma is convinced there are plenty of cash- and time-starved people with wanderlust who would be content to settle for sending a stuffed emissary abroad instead.

"Lots of people have a special stuffed animal in their lives."

More from CBS News

Get Daily Travel Tips & Deals!

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

Send Your Stuffed Animal on a Tour of Europe!

Yahoo! Travel

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

It sounded like yet another kooky Japanese fad: Sending stuffed toys on vacation. The first “toy travel agency” debuted in Tokyo in 2010 , running local tours for clients who wanted to live vicariously through their plush animals.

But perhaps this trend wasn’t just a flash-in-the-pan. Japan now has several successful agencies that take mascots all around the country, as well as overseas. And Europe has even joined the fad too—a few “toy travel” companies have popped up, including ones in Paris, Barcelona, and in the unlikely city of Warsaw.

The owner of Poland’s Panda Tours , Agnieszka, was inspired by a TV report on the Japanese phenomenon. It dawned on her that this whimsical business had meaningful possibilities. “Many tours for humans are too expensive, and some people can’t travel due to illnesses or physical restrictions,” she explains. “But they might have a fondness for a stuffed animal, and can experience the world through them instead.”

Panda Tours, which began this past spring, is named after her favorite bear, who “leads” the excursions. The cheapest package costs US $35 with shipping, and it is a tour to Warsaw. The company also offers trips around Europe, such as to Berlin, Norway, and London.

Agnieszka says her client base is growing, and she gets requests for customized itineraries from around the world. Uniquely, Panda Tours also runs an educational program for students. “We offer low prices to classrooms, and teachers can send one large parcel of toys,” she explains. “The cuddly animals help the children learn about geography, history and English in a creative way, such as via social media.”

I understood the appeal of a toy tour because I always wished my Scottish Fold cat could join me on my trips. I knew my friends and family would enjoy seeing Basil Farrow on vacation—so I mailed his stuffed doppelgänger to Panda Tours in Warsaw.

RELATED : You Kitten Me?! Man Bikes 300 Miles From Amsterdam to London With 2 Cats

The leader, a panda bear, shows toys off-the-beaten-path destinations throughout Poland. Agnieszka writes, “After the arrival of Basil, we went to Skarzysko, a country town south of Warsaw. It was a very hot day so they cooled off by eating fresh raspberries, currants and cherries.”

“We visited the White Eagle Museum , which has a large outdoor display of military equipment. Most of the aircraft dates back to the World War II period.” She posts daily images on Panda Tours’ Instagram , where I could check on my cat’s shenanigans.

“The day after, we went to Krakow by Polish Rail.” The new friends appear to be bonding as they admire the scenery.

RELATED : Camping With Dogs is the Very Best Thing on Instagram

While it may be strange to see a toy tour in action, Agnieszka says the reaction is always positive. Many bystanders ask to take photos with the animals, as this street performer did.

I loved how Panda Tours documented every step of the trip, including lunching at local restaurants.

Just like regular tourists, Basil posed under landmarks. During his tour, Basil visited St. Mary’s Cathedral and Sigismund’s Column in Castle Square.

In Warsaw, Panda took Basil to the opening of a hip club called The View. These “ballers” wore chains and VIP wristbands, and got a lot of attention from the ladies!

The furries took a road trip to Wladyslawowo, a town on the south coast of the Baltic Sea.

Finally, they stopped by Gdynia to attend a concert on the beach. Agnieszka says, “Basil lifted up his paw and aroused considerable interest among the fans and artists.”

I was pleasantly surprised by how well Panda Tours conveyed a joyful, local travel experience through a mascot’s eyes. Seeing my cat vacation in Poland made me want to visit the country for myself.

Basil returned by mail, along with custom T-shirts, a DVD of photos, and souvenirs. My toy’s tour turned out to be a delight from start to finish. and I have a feeling that these imaginative agencies will keep on growing worldwide.

— La Carmina

More from Yahoo! Travel:

• You’ve Been Packing All Wrong: 12 Hacks That Help
• Ski Towns Where the Fall Foliage is Even Better Than the Snow
• Backstroke Your Way Around the World on a Swim Tour

This article was originally published by Yahoo! Travel under the headline Send Your Stuffed Animal on a Tour of Europe . It is reprinted here with permission .

(Photo at top: Panda Tours )

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Top Fares From

Don't see a fare you like? View all flight deals from your city.

Today's top travel deals.

Brought to you by ShermansTravel

8-Night South Africa Tour, Incl. Kruger...

Poconos: 2-Nt, All-Incl. Stay at Upscale...

ResortsAndLodges.com

Amsterdam to Copenhagen: Luxe, 18-Night Northern...

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Trending on SmarterTravel

We offer free standard shipping on orders with a subtotal of $89+, excluding orders to Alaska, Hawaii, and other non-contiguous U.S. locations. Free shipping is applied to the order subtotal after any promo code discounts (and before oversized item fees, shipping fees and taxes). Also, certain very large or very heavy items are subject to an oversized item fee of $15.

Join Play Perks to earn points and get exclusive rewards every time you shop!

Take our quiz to find gifts kids will love. Plus, earn 200 Play Perks Points!

Find a Gift

Shop by Age

New gift cards.

Give the gift of imaginative, open-ended play from Melissa & Doug with a digital e-gift card!

Pretend Play

Pretend food. real fun..

Get all the ingredients needed to stir up those imaginations!

LEARNING TOYS

New baby & toddler toys.

How sweet it is! Check out toys that inspire "aha" moments of discovery!

#1 Children's Puzzle Brand

Find the right puzzle to fit your child's interests and abilities!

ARTS & CRAFTS

Introducing sticker wow®.

A whole new way to play with stickers for mess-free, creative fun anywhere, anytime!

Trains & More Toys

Get the good times rolling.

Find vehicle and train toys for kids who love action!

Shop All Plush

We love gund® plush.

Their collection of stuffed animals and cuddly teddy bears features plenty of playful personalities!

Find timeless toys that kids will love this season and beyond at amazing prices!

Shop GUND®.com

Tote & Tour Pet Travel Play Set

Regular price $18.99 $18.99 sale price regular price $37.99 { "@context": "http://schema.org/", "@type": "product", "@id": "https://www.melissaanddoug.com/products/tote-tour-pet-travel-play-set", "name": "tote \u0026 tour pet travel play set", "image": "https:\/\/www.melissaanddoug.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/tote-tour-pet-travel-play-set-008541-1-pieces-out_1024x1024.jpgv=1670013118","description": "\u003cp\u003ekeep traveling plush pets safe and happy whether touring the world or just the neighborhood, it's easy for kids three and older to take the precious plush pooch and the cuddly kitty on the go with these realistic pet travel essentials. hook the leash to the collar or harness and go for a stroll. for longer trips, tuck the plush puppy or kitty into the cozy carrier with side pockets and removable pet bed. pack up ids, a collapsible food and water dish, reversible food\/water insert, and a ball, mark the reusable checklist, and hit the road this set has everything plush pets need to travel in style\u003c\/p\u003e", "brand": { "@type": "thing", "name": "melissa \u0026 doug" }, "sku": "8541", "mpn": "000772085410" }.

Free shipping on orders over $89

• 15-piece pretend play pet travel play set with a plush cat and dog and travel essentials
• Soft pet carrier with handle, side pockets, and removable pet bed
• Includes leash, collar, harness, 2 write-on name tags, collapsible food and water dish, reversible food/water insert, and ball
• Personalize the play experience by filling out pet IDs, and learn handy travel tips from the reusable checklist
• Makes a great gift for 3- to 7-year olds, for hands-on, screen-free play
• Item # 8541

Keep traveling plush pets safe and happy! Whether touring the world or just the neighborhood, it's easy for kids three and older to take the precious plush pooch and the cuddly kitty on the go with these realistic pet travel essentials. Hook the leash to the collar or harness and go for a stroll. For longer trips, tuck the plush puppy or kitty into the cozy carrier with side pockets and removable pet bed. Pack up IDs, a collapsible food and water dish, reversible food/water insert, and a ball, mark the reusable checklist, and hit the road! This set has everything plush pets need to travel in style!

• Product: 13.5 x 10.45 x 3.5
• Package: 3.63 x 13.63 x 10.5
• Please note all dimensions are listed in inches

SUSTAINABILITY

Create a More Playful Planet

POWER OF PLAY

Interact & Connect Through Play

Marijuana and ecstasy found inside Buc-ee's plush toys during traffic stop in Texas

A Texas deputy found multiple drugs inside a stuffed animal during a recent traffic stop for an infraction.

According to the Fayette County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Cody Williams executed a traffic stop on Interstate 10 on Wednesday, July 31. The driver, a 47-year-old man from San Antonio, gave the deputy permission to search his vehicle.

During the search, the deputy smelled marijuana emitting from the car and discovered several Buc-ee's plush toys in the back seat.

The logo for Buc-ee's, a popular chain of convenience stores, is a beaver with a red cap.

More drug busts: Man arrested in connection with attempt to ship a ton of meth to Australia

USA TODAY reached out to Sheriff Keith Korenek for comment.

Drugs were stuffed inside plush toys, deputies say

When Deputy Williams inspected the plush toys, he found that they were restitched with packages inside containing ecstasy and two pounds of marijuana.

At that point, the driver claimed "he was suffering from chest pain" and was transported to a local hospital, according to the sheriff's office. Authorities seized the drugs and issued a warrant.

Not the first stuffed animal bust

Earlier this year, six people were arrested after the feds accused them of putting fentanyl pills into stuffed animals and mailing them to different addresses in Minnesota. The drugs were originally purchased in Phoenix, Arizona.

During the investigation, according to Minneapolis TV station Fox 9, authorities discovered six packages with 30,000 grams of pills. The accused were charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected].

Back to School Sale! Buy 2 Snuggle Pals, Get 1 FREE. Use Code BACK2SCHOOL - Details

Get a FREE Snuggle Pal

When You Buy 2. Use Code BACK2SCHOOL at Checkout

Summertime Best Sellers

20 in. special edition rainbow leopard bear, 20 in. world's softest bear, 4 ft. cuddle puppy, 20 in. true colors united rainbow bear, 4 ft. big hunka love® bear, 15 in. special edition safari friend, giraffe bear, 15 in. blue raspberry lemonade bear, 18 in. oh so soft turtle, 18 in. oh so soft teddy bear, 18 in. oh so soft shark, 18 in. oh so soft octopus, 18 in. oh so soft manatee, 18 in. oh so soft horse, 20 in. bubba the fuzzy teddy bear, 15 in. baby girl bear, 15 in. baby boy bear, 15 in. baby bear, oatmeal, 15 in. mermaid bear, 15 in. fairy bear, 15 in. hoodie footie bear, pink, 15 in. get well bear, 3 ft. hunka love® bear, 20 in. hugsy the teddy bear, 18 in. oh so soft elephant, 15 in. special edition bluebell blossoms bear.

Full Coverage Lifetime Guarantee

No matter what happens, our Bear Hospital will repair your beloved plush for FREE

Our Best Gifts for Little Cubs.

The Sweetest New Arrivals

Designed to warm hearts young and old.

15 In. Cuddle Chunk Snowy Owl

18 in. super soft teddy bear, 15 in. cuddle chunk hippo, 18 in. hunka love® teddy bear, 16 in. classic earl grey bunny rabbit, 20 in. special edition woodland bear, 20 in. world's softest llama, 15 in. buddy monkey, 28 in. cuddle penguin, 16 in. limited edition 2024 easter garden bunny, 15 in. buddy axolotl, 18 in. oh so soft bee, 18 in. oh so soft tiger, perfectly priced plush for the coziest cuddles, gifts under $50, gifts under $75, gifts under $100, gifts under $150, "a vermont teddy bear is truly the softest nicest bear i’ve ever seen.".

- John G. Verified Buyer

Stay & Play

Bring home the perfect buddy for every summer adventure.

Love Enormously, Love For A Lifetime

Give someone special a Jumbo plush.

3 1/2 Ft. Gentle Giant Panda

4 ft. cuddle bunny, 6 ft. giant cuddle elephant, 3 1/2 ft. gentle giant sloth, 6 ft. giant hunka love® bear, 4 ft. cuddle unicorn, 4 ft. boo the loveable big teddy bear, 4 ft. bubba the huggable giant teddy bear, 3 1/2 ft. gentle giant bear, 6 ft. giant hunka love i heart you t-shirt bear, 4 ft. cuddle dinosaur, 4 ft. cuddle elephant, 4 ft. love to the rescue® bear, the vermont teddy bear difference.

GUARANTEED FOR LIFE

We believe that the friendship, hugs, and love of a plush toy should last forever. That's why all of our Stuffed Animals come with a lifetime guarantee.

TEDDY & MORE EXPERTS

In 1981, we began handcrafting Bears. Today, we've produced over 6.6M love-filled Teddies and Stuffed Animals. Hug one of our plush and feel the difference.

EXCLUSIVE DESIGNS

Our extraordinary design team playfully and carefully creates every detail of our Teddy Bears and Stuffed Animals. Each design is exclusive to us!

Vermont Teddy Bear & Stuffed Animals

Vermont Teddy invites you to share in a lifetime of love. Home to an extraordinary variety of Guaranteed for Life Teddy Bears and Stuffed Animals , we offer the best selection of huggable companions for kids and grownups alike. PAWS-itively unique plush toy makers, we specialize in handmade Bears and custom Stuffed Animals as well as premium crafted offshore, filled with love in Vermont comfort friends. Each one of our plush is designed using the softest fur, expert sewing techniques, and stuffing made from 100% recycled plastic. Best of all, when it comes to the array of our plush, we know no bounds. From Giant Teddy Bears and adorable koala Bears to playful monkey Stuffed Animals and cheerful penguin Stuffed Animals , we have it all. It's true. If you are shopping for a cow connoisseur, shop our cow Stuffed Animals. If you are shopping for a dinosaur dreamer, shop our dinosaur Stuffed Animals . And, if you are shopping for a special occasion, we have thoughtful as well as unique gift ideas.

Premium Keepsake Gifts From Vermont Teddy Bear

Sending a gift from a Vermont Teddy Bear is more than just a present. It is a special way to commemorate a special day. Whether it is for a child or an adult, we have something for every occasion. For graduation, big or small, you can't go wrong with our graduation Teddy Bears . For birthdays, new or old, our happy birthday Teddy Bears make one-of-a-kind keepsakes. For holidays, like Easter, our Bunny Stuffed Animals and Easter Stuffed Animals are a great choice.

Sign Up for the PreFur’d ® Member Email Program

Receive exclusive offers, sneak peeks & more!

• Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
• Opens in a new window.

At Animal Adventure, we believe there are no compromises when it comes to kids and the soft goods they cherish. This is why each plush piece we create is stitched and stuffed with care, assuring the utmost softness, safety and quality.

We Believe In

Constantly curious, our team delights in the little things that please little ones.

We aim to be great and to craft exceptional, innovative and undeniably soft products that kids will love and parents will trust.

The moments that matter in a child’s life are the moments we are proud to create.

Our purpose is our passion. We aim to ignite imagination and spread joy into the hearts and homes of little ones all over the world through our irresistibly soft and timelessly adorable plush designs.

• OUR CULTURE • We treat our customers as our most valued asset – because they are! Our core values, paired with decades of understanding consumers and the products they cherish, produce our recipe for delivering joyful memories and cuddly experiences for kids. The not-so-secret ingredient: love.

Our Favorites

LET’S CONNECT

Many stuffed cat toys NYT Crossword Clue

Many stuffed cat toys Crossword Clue Answers are listed below. Did you came up with a solution that did not solve the clue? No worries we keep a close eye on all the clues and update them regularly with the correct answers.

MANY STUFFED CAT TOYS NYT

NEW! YOUR LOCAL RUNNING DROP

Get after it with nearby recommendations just for you.

BEST WEEK EVER

Try out unlimited access with 7 days of Outside+ for free.

Start Your Free Trial

Cycling’s Most Emasculating Tradition: The Toy Lion Trophy

It's not exactly the Stanley Cup, but there's a reason why all Tour de France stage winners receive a stuffed lion on the podium.

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Reddit

Don't miss a moment of the 2024 Tour de France! Get recaps, insights, and exclusive takes with Velo's daily newsletter. >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Sign up today! .

You’ll never see Peyton Manning triumphantly holding up a Mickey Mouse doll after winning the Super Bowl. Or Lebron James cuddling a teddy bear after winning the NBA Finals. No. Those dudes hold up trophies. Big-ass, sterling silver trophies.

So what’s the deal with giving cutesy stuffed lions to Tour de France stage winners? What do the cyclists do with them? Cut the heads off and mount them like hunting trophies? Stick them in a glass case so they won’t get mixed up with their kids’ Beanie Boos ? Snuggle with them for good luck?

What gives, cycling? What’s the deal with the weirdly infantile tradition that will surely play out again at this year’s Tour? 

Turns out plenty of cycling forum users have their own theories. Perhaps ergogenic drugs are delivered inside the lion, right under the WADA officials’ noses. Or, as Nigel-YZ1 wrote on cyclechat.net , cyclists get the toy “to hold in front of themselves to avoid the more revealing pics of them in lycra making a scandal in the tabloids.”  

Plausible theories, cycling enthusiasts. But the lion was actually the mascot of longtime Tour de France title sponsor Crédit Lyonnais. According to French sports magazine L’Équipe , the bank has been handing out the fluffy lions at the Tour since 1987. Forty-five of the little guys attend the Tour each year, with one distributed to each day’s winner and the rest closely guarded to avoid loss or (zut alors!) theft.

A few years ago, L’Équipe writes , marketing execs at the bank decided the lions were outdated and thought about replacing them with a more traditional big-ass trophy—particularly becuase the lion is no longer the bank’s mascot. (“It was a bit aggressive,” Crédit Lyonnais PR man Arnaud Loubier told PEZ Cycling News .) But common sense prevailed (“le bon sens a prévalu”) and the officials stuck with the stuffed prizes.

Crédit Lyonnais sponsorship exec Sophie Moressee-Pichot says you shouldn’t see cyclists at any other race holding up the stuffed lion, even though the bank sponsors several other events that Le Tour’s production company—the ASO—puts on, including Paris-Nice, Criterium International, Paris-Roubaix, Tour de Picardie, Tour de Languedoc-Roussillon, Tour de L’Avenir, and Tour of Burkina Faso. The bank only uses the lion at the Tour de France.

With Crédit Lyonnais signed on through 2018 as a TdF sponsor, expect to see more champion cyclists holding up stuffed lions for years to come.   

Popular on Outside Online

Enjoy coverage of racing, history, food, culture, travel, and tech with access to unlimited digital content from Outside Network's iconic brands.

© 2024 Outside Interactive, Inc

Plush Products

• Specialty Commissions

Household & Accessories

• Bobbleheads & Figurines

Other Products

• Budsies Pals
• Bulk Orders

Other Useful Links

Custom Plush Manufacturer & Stuffed Toys Production

Original Post

• Brands > Nintendo
• Babies & Kids
• Babies & Kids > Kids
• Babies & Kids > Kids > Kids Toys
• Free Shipping
• Hobbies > Collectibles
• Deal Type > Free Shipping For Members

Check Out Similar Kids Toys Deals

• You have chosen to thumb up this deal.
• You have chosen to thumb down this deal.
• Thumbs down

Price Intelligence

Deal history  deal history includes data from multiple reputable stores, such as best buy, target, and walmart. the lowest price among stores for a given day is selected as the "sale price". sale price does not include sale prices at amazon unless a deal was posted by a community member., current prices.

Your comment cannot be blank.

Featured Comments

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank MineNdesign

Popular Deals

Omen 40l gaming desktop amd ryzen™ 5 7600nvidia® geforce rtx™ 4060 $770, $9: kuhn rikon vase grinder (mini, black) @ amazon, new hsn customers: ninja sizzle smokeless indoor grill & griddle $60 + $7.50 hsn shipping, adidas amplifier 2 crossbody bag (black) $13.50 + free shipping w/ prime or on orders over $35, best buy $10 video game sale [ends august 18], trending deals, adidas yeezy 450 - multi | free shipping with adiclub | adidas us - $63, 20% off adidas gift cards, best buy, $25 for $20, $50 for $40, $100 for $80, kastking v16 fishing rod rack - fishing pole rack holds up to 16 fishing rods or combos, lightweight and durable abs construction, space-saving fishing rod holders for ga - $20, columbia women’s newton ridgeplus waterproof hiking boot (regular & wide, quarry) $30 + free shipping w/ prime or on $35+, 2-game two point hospital and two point campus double pack (nintendo switch digital download) $12, more best buy deals, uncharted: legacy of thieves collection (pc digital download) $20.30, platinum™ - rugged silicone band for apple watch 42mm, 44mm, 45mm (series 1-9) and apple watch ultra series 1-2 49mm - green $9.99, asus zenbook 14 laptop: 14" fhd+ oled touch, intel ultra 7-155h, 16gb ram, 1tb ssd $750 + free shipping, asus rog flow x13 (2023): ryzen 9 7940hs, 13.4" qhd+ 165hz, 16gb ram, 1tb ssd, rtx 4060 $1150 + free shipping, xfx speedstar swft210 amd radeon rx 6650xt core 8gb gddr6 graphics card $220 + free shipping, more nintendo deals, 6-pairs of official licensed animal crossing: new horizons ankle socks $9.99 ( $1.66 /pair) + free shipping via newegg, fate/samurai remnant (physical): ps4 $32 , ps5 & nintendo switch each $30 + free shipping w/ amazon prime, shin megami tensei v: vengeance steelbook launch edition (nintendo switch, ps5 or xbox series x) $40 + free shipping, demon slayer -kimetsu no yaiba- sweep the board (nintendo switch) $30 + free shipping w/ prime or on orders over $35, master detective archives: rain code (nintendo switch physical) $29.99 + free shipping w/ prime or on $35 +.

The link has been copied to the clipboard.

• Product Inspections
• Machinery & Materials Inspections
• Food & Agriculture Inspections
• Supplier Audits
• Products & Materials
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Food & Agriculture
• Packaging & Transit
• Compliance Consulting & Training
• Supplier Quality Engineering
• Supplier Quality Management
• Production Monitoring

Quality Control Management

• Product Compliance Consulting
• ESG Services
• Social Compliance Audits
• Environmental Audits
• Energy Audits
• Government Certifications
• Government Approved Inspections
• Product Certifications
• Apparel & Textiles
• Electronics
• Personal Care & Cosmetics
• Toys & Children’s Products
• Bags & Accessories
• Energy & Power Plant
• Gas, Oil & Chemicals
• Industrial Plants
• Construction Equipment & Materials
• Machinery & Equipment Inspections
• Renewable Energy
• Food Safety Audits
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Meat & Poultry
• Grain Quality Control
• Processed Food
• Pesticide & Fumigation
• Automotive Parts
• Amazon FBA Inspections

Our Company

• United Arab Emirates
• Saudi Arabia
• United Kingdom
• South Africa
• Compliance & Integrity
• Accreditations & Certifications
• Client Testimonials
• Past Webinars
• Technical Resources
• AQL Calculator

Home > Blog > Soft Toy Safety Regulations: What You Need to Know

Soft Toy Safety Regulations: What You Need to Know

• May 15, 2022
• All , Regulations

The global market and demand for stuffed toys have increased over the years. In 2018, it was valued at USD 7.98 billion and it is anticipated to grow at a  CAGR of 7.61%  until 2025. While the market is lucrative, it is essential to note that most soft toys are primarily intended to be used by children. Therefore they’re imposed under strict regulations to ensure product quality and safety are upheld within the market.

In this article, you’ll learn about the key safety regulation, requirements needed in the stuffed toy industry and what one of the most common toy safety standards, ASTM F963, contains.

What Are the Most Common Soft Toy Testing Standards?

It’s important to note that there are several regulations stuffed toys must adhere to enter the market. However, different countries have different regulations. For example, the US and Europe have different safety standards for stuffed toys, meaning that any company that imported soft toys must adhere to these standards.

Some examples of applicable regulations for stuffed toys include:

• EN71  – A European standard for toy safety formulated by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) under the Toys Directive 2009/48/EC. 
• ASTM F963  – A toy safety standard by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
• CPSIA 2008  – A consumer product safety law from the United States.
• Canada CCPSA  Toy Regulation (SOR/2016-188/193/195).
• AS/NZS ISO 8124  – Australian standards for  toys.

For this article, we will be covering ASTM 963 as an example. If you’re interested in the European Standard for Toy Safety, you can read our  EN 71 certificate  article.

What Is the ASTM F963 Toy Safety Standard?

The ASTM F963, also named “ The Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety,”  is a toy safety standard created by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) that applies to all types of toys entering the United States. This guideline set out by the international standard body states that toys and children’s products must adhere to several chemicals, mechanical, and flammability standards, which are outlined in detail below.

ASTM F963 Mechanical Testing

The ASTM F963 covers mechanical testing that is used to determine a toy’s durability. The mechanical testing put the stuffed toy under harsh conditions. The age rating determines the level of testing it has been given (e.g., 3-5). As well as this, other tests may be implemented, such as washability, material quality checks, and tension/compression tests, to ensure that the products can withstand heavy or rough use. Individual part testing is also an essential function in mechanical testing as if small parts break off of a toy. They can potentially become a severe hazard to children.  

ASTM F963 Flammability Testing

The ASTM F963 Flammability Testing method measures the amount of heat released from fabric when exposed to an open flame. It’s not just the fabric that needs to be tested but also the thread, zipper, buttons and other components that may come into contact with an open flame.

All products must be tested for their resistance to burning within this standard. This test is usually done with an open flame to ensure that the products have an acceptable burn rate. If the speed at which it burns is deemed unacceptable, it will not pass. 

ASTM F963 Chemical Testing

ASTM F963 Chemical testing is also a key component of the ASTM regulation. This function tests for eight different heavy metals on any surfaces which could be accessible to the mouth. The eight metals which are commonly tested for are;

As well as this, other testing may also be required dependent on the regulation, for example, phthalates, formaldehyde,  AZO-Dye  testing. This ensures that the products do not have any potentially harmful chemicals, which can cause long-term adverse effects on consumers’ health. 

These tests must be done to ensure that the goods comply with the regulations set out. It is important to note that this testing must be completed by a  CPSC accepted testing facility  (which HQTS provides) to ensure that the toys comply with the standard.

ASTM F963 Labeling Requirements

As well to the manufacturing process for toy goods that need to be followed, strict stuffed toy labeling guidelines are also in place. Within this act it states that all labels must include:

The Country of Origin

Within this marking, the product’s country of origin must be clearly stated. This must be clearly stated on the container of the product. An example would be if the product was imported from China, it would state “Made In China.” No other specific details would be required, such as location within the country.

Producer Marking

As well as the country of origin, all products that are certified to comply with ASTM regulations must have a visible mark that gives details of the name and address of the producer.

Age Grading

All toys (including stuffed ones) must go under strict testing procedures if they are intended for use by children. Because of this, an age rating (e.g., 3-5+) must be added to the products to represent this.

CPSIA Tracking Label

This requirement states that all manufacturers must produce a tracking label/mark on all products regardless of international or internal export. The code can be placed on the product itself or placed on a separate label, which will be used as the product’s identifier.

Icons for Washing

When adding labels to products, a transparent icon must be added that displays how the toy should be washed or any critical information that may impact its cleaning, such as cold washes.

Are you interested to see a test report? Download our plush toy test report .

Different Regulations for Different Countries

It is important to note that each country has different requirements when it comes to  stuffed toy labeling requirements. An example of this would be the addition of the  UKCA or EC markings  that are needed to be used in products imported to the United Kingdom or the European Union. You must research your country’s requirements to understand better the specific needs required for labelling.

Children’s Product Certificate (CPC)

A CPC or Child Product Licence is required once a CPSC-certified laboratory has successfully inspected a stuffed toy. A CPC license gives a detailed report on the inspection results to ensure they comply with the requirements for the specific toy type. 

The CPC must include: 

• The safety requirements which are needed for the certificate.
• Origin of the product.
• Manufacturers information.
• A product description.
• Details of the laboratory in which the test was conducted.

Note: a CPC license should be provided with every shipment of the toys. To get more information on CPC, visit the  CPSC website . 

Conclusion: Soft Toy Safety Regulations: What You Need to Know

Many regulations govern the production of toys and the materials they can be made of — and the standards and regulations vary across countries.

In this article, we have presented some of the most common toy safety regulations relevant to soft toys and outlined the key parts of the ASTM F963. Businesses that want to export or import stuffed toys to new markets often hire third-party quality control companies to help them navigate the regulatory frameworks and test their products.

HQTS  has over 25 years of experience in industry-leading quality control for various industries, including children’s products. We provide rigorous testing from our CPSC accredited testing facility to ensure your goods comply with the chosen regulatory body. To learn more about this, contact us today.

• Your Country*
• Your Product*

* Required fields

Latest Articles

FDA Food Contact Materials Testing: A Simple Guide to Compliance and Safety

Top 5 Found Substances on the EU REACH SVHC List and How to Test for Them

The Quick Guide to Flammability Testing

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Why use HQTS?

Which Inspections to choose?

Which Audits to choose?

Service Locations

Acceptable Quality Limit

Quality Control in India

Quality Control in China

Quality Control in Bangladesh

Quality Control in Vietnam

Inspection Services

Manufacturing Audit

Social Compliance Audit

Building Safety Audit

Environmental Audit

Energy Audit

Food Safety Audit

C-TPAT Audit

Compliance Testing

APASS – Amazon Packaging Provider

AQSIQ Certificate of Qualification

China Inspection Body and Laboratory Mandatory Approval

Chemical Testing

REACH Testing

Rohs Testing

CPSIA Testing

ISTA Package Testing

Compliance and Integrity

Accreditations and Certifications

Testimonials

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

© HQTS Group Ltd.

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

• Скидки дня
• Справка и помощь
• Адрес доставки Идет загрузка... Ошибка: повторите попытку ОК
• Продажи
• Список отслеживания Развернуть список отслеживаемых товаров Идет загрузка... Войдите в систему , чтобы просмотреть свои сведения о пользователе
• Краткий обзор
• Недавно просмотренные
• Ставки/предложения
• Список отслеживания
• История покупок
• Купить опять
• Объявления о товарах
• Сохраненные запросы поиска
• Сохраненные продавцы
• Сообщения
• Развернуть корзину Идет загрузка... Произошла ошибка. Чтобы узнать подробнее, посмотрите корзину.

Stuffed Bear from1980 Olympic Games in Moscow - $5 (Greece)

QR Code Link to This Post

post id: 7774786621

posted: 2024-08-12 14:00

♥ best of [ ? ]

refresh the page.

Stuffed Bear from1980 Olympic Games in Moscow - toys & games - by...

Misha, Stuffed 12" Bear made by R. Dakin & Company for the1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, $5 Reduced Price