Holiday Guide: Furreal Friends

Lately I’ve been walking around the toy store with my little guys. I like to see what catches their interest, plus keep an eye out for what’s new and cool! It amazes me how many interactive, plush pets there are nowadays! If I was younger, I would want them all. I know one popular line of life-like plush toys are the Furreal Friends. But as cute, cuddly and life-like as they are, not every one can shell out $49.99 for a peek-a-boo panda, especially in a recession. But, we still want our kids Holidays to be special and memorable.

Thankfully Hasbro knows this and understands! They came out with an assortment of Furreal Friends Newborns, which are about 1/2 the size of the originals. These Furreal Friends come with a bottle that you can use to feed them, just like the original Furreal Friends. Plus, they sqeak, squeal and move around like an adorable baby! This line includes a golden retriever puppy, kneading kitten, beagle, dark brown bear, polar bear, honey bear, chipmunk, guinea pig … and I know I am missing some. There are just so many choices! And these pets average only between $12.99 and $14.99!

I received the Guinea Pig to try out – and it was so lifelike. I think it is one of my favorites, since it is actually the size of a guinea pig! My sister-in-law used to own one and the sounds this faux pet makes sounds just like the real thing! My nephew is BEGGING for a hamster right now and she doesn’t want to give in since she already her hands full with an Irish Wolfhound Mix – but I am thinking something like this would help parents who are in a similar situation. It’s not right for my nephew, he is 6 and a boy. But I think it would be perfect for little girls – like my goddaughters, they are 3.5 and 4 years old. They would love to pet it, make it talk and feed it the bottle. And it comes with an adoption certificate! Adorable!

Here is the Guinea Pig in action:

If you want the larger version, though, then definitely you will find the Original Furreal Friends wherever you find the Furreal Friends Newborns. Your best bet is Target, Toys R Us or HasbroToyShop.com. HasbroToysShop.com has a HUGE selection that you wont find at any store and their prices rock.

For the larger Furreal Friends, keep an eye out for the Luv Cub Panda which actually plays peek-a-boo and will raise his arms to cover his eyes! Cat lovers will love the My Cuddlin Kitty Lulu, which is absolutely realistic and a purr-fect pet for little girls. Lulu preens, cuddles and mews like a real cat. She is white and orange (marmalade) so keep an eye out for her. She retails for $54.99. And for monkey-lovers, there is a Furreal Friends Cuddle Chimp that retails for $49.99. He is so lifelike and when you hug him, he hugs you back! He lets you know when he wants to be hugged by reaching out his arms!

Overall, the little Furreal Friends Newborns are affordable and adorable. The larger Furreal Friends are huggable and might become your child’s next lovey! How can you resist a hugging chimp?

SHOPPING LIST FAVORITES:

Furreal Friends Cuddle Chimp: This is a great choice for a boy or girl. I gave my son an interactive, cuddly pet when he was 1 and it quickly became a lovey. Cuddle Chimp will hug and be sweet, plus go bananas and clap his hands and make chimp sounds. He requires 3 C Batteries and is recommended for ages 4 and up. He costs $49.99.

Furreal Friends Newborn Guinea Pig: After playing with our Furreal Guinea Pig and comparing to the ones at the store, I think this is the most lifelike of the newborn assortment. Plus, he is affordably priced at $14.99.

You can find the Furreal Friends Assortment and many others at my favorite retailers, Target and Toys R Us, as well as HasbroToyShop.com.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products! The Mom Buzz received a $14.99 Furreal Guinea Pig to test and offer her opinion.