* Plush Animal Pillows And Blankets For Kids: TY Pillow Pals vs My Pillow Pets vs Zoobies

My Pillow Pets, Zoobies and Pillow Pals - similar names, similar products, so how do you choose between them? With the help of this guide of course.

This article will talk you through the product design differences, and show you the latest online prices for these cute toys.

Pillow Pals were launched by TY toys, the makers of Beanie Babies, in the 1990s. They are the earliest version of a plush toy / pillow combination.

Unlike My Pillow Pets and Zoobies the toy does not fold out to form a pillow, but is a plush toy so soft that it can be used as a pillow.

The first range of Pillow Pals were soft pastel colors, then later the toy was relaunched in neon hues.

The range was discontinued (retired) in 2000, and TY gave all their remaining stock to children's charities.

Today they are largely traded as a collector's item, rather than as a children's toy. They can sell for as much as $50 on Amazon and eBay, although some independent toy stores, such as BBtoystore.com carry some stock from as little as $9.99.

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My Pillow Pets and Pillow Pets are the same brand, and are used interchangeably.

Pillow Pets are soft chenille animals, that fold out to become a comfy pillow. The pillow becomes an animal when it is folded, then secured across the belly with a simple strap. Then when the strap is released, it opens out to become a pillow.

A genuine My Pillow Pets toy will carry a label sewn into the toy's back leg, with either 'My Pillow Pets' or 'Pillow Pets' written on it.

My Pillow Pets offer a range of products: pillows, blankets, backpacks, hats, neck pillows, and slippers. However, it is only the pillows that double as a plush toy. The remaining products carry the animal character styling, but do not fold up into a plush toy.

My Pillow Pets are available through a number of licensed stores, and you can also buy them online from Amazon.com, or directly through the My Pillow Pets website.

Prices for the products direct from My Pillow Pets are:

Large 18" Pillow - $24.99

Small 11" Pillow - $15.99

Backpack - $19.99

Blanket - $29.99

Take a look at the box to the right - this is displaying current prices for a range of My Pillow Pets products available through Amazon.com, so you can see a price comparison. A larger range is available on Amazon by accessing this page.

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Like My Pillow Pets, Zoobies start out as a plush toy animal. Then when the Velcro holding them together is undone, they fold flat to become a pillow.

But unlike My Pillow Pets, Zoobies are also a blanket. On the underside of each toy hides a zip, which holds in a blanket. Simply undo the zip and roll out the blanket. You can leave the animal attached to the blanket for extra cuddles, or detach it to enable the blanket to be washed.

There is a huge range of Zoobies available, including some famous characters like Paddington Bear, Olivia and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Zoobies have one multiple awards including 2008 Creative Child Magazine's Product of the Year, and Parenting Magazine's 'Mom Tested' accolade.

Zoobies cost around $32 - $34 plus $7 shipping, when purchased direct from the Zoobies website.

To enable a price comparison, to the right is a box with some current prices from Amazon.com. You can see the full range of Zoobies available on Amazon.com here.

Some designs have now been discontinued by Zoobies, and although they are no longer available direct, you can still get them through Amazon, and at a good discount too. Since these models are every bit as cute and comfortable as the newer Zoobies, you could grab yourself a bargain.

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