Have you ever wanted to design your own stuffed animal, have it manufactured and embroidered and delivered directly to your door?
Happy Toy Machine lets you do exactly that. There are hundreds of options and thousands of combinations of body types, colors, accessories, embroidered facial expressions and anything else you can think of.
Adults and kids alike can spend hours designing different versions of toys before finally deciding to send one into manufacturing and receiving it on your doorstep within a matter of days. I can personally attest to the allure of designing the toys and the surprising quality of them once you get them in your hands. The minds behind Happy Toy Machine invited me to try out their service and I spent hours with my daughter designing what eventually turned into “Bluey.” You can see the fruits of our labor here (and even order your own version.) Scout decided Bluey needed a tail, a rainbow on her chest and butterfly wings. If you know her at all, you’d know this stuffed animal is so uniquely her that it’s hilarious. That’s what makes this so much more interactive and personalized than something like Build-A-Bear. Sure, Build-A-Bear is hands on, but the options are far more limited.
After Scout put Bluey together and we sent it off for manufacturing, I whiled away plenty more time designing other imps and robots and demons that I might well end up ordering for myself.
It’s a fun distraction and an activity that is a blast to do with your kids.
But the real magic came when the package arrived in the mail. It came with a speed I wasn’t expected and came with a photographed portrait of Bluey. The toy was very plush and cuddly and hasn’t left Scout’s bedside since. And really, that’s the best review I can give a product like this.
If you want to try it yourself, Happy Toy Machine has given readers of Big Shiny Robot! a a coupon code for 15% off. I would hurry over there, though. It expires in 60 days and is only good for the first 500 people.
Coupon Code: SHINYROBOT58
I had a great experience with the site, and I think you would, too. It’s priced comparably to Build-A-Bear ($30-$50) and is somehow much more satisfactory and personalized an experience.