I’ll be honest – I got into amigurumi because my daughter kept begging for stuffed animals at every store, and I thought, “I could probably make these myself.” Turns out, crocheting these little guys is not only way cheaper than buying toys constantly, but it’s actually really relaxing. There’s something so satisfying about watching a ball of yarn turn into a cute little character that your kids will drag around everywhere. And the best part? You can customize everything – colors, sizes, expressions – to match exactly what your kid is obsessed with at the moment.

What makes amigurumi perfect for kids is how sturdy they are when you make them right. Unlike some store-bought toys that fall apart after a week, a well-made amigurumi can handle some serious play. My kids have dropped theirs in puddles, dragged them through dirt, thrown them across rooms (we’re working on that), and they still hold up. You just toss them in the washing machine and they’re good as new. Plus, they’re safe – no tiny parts to swallow, no sharp edges, just soft yarn and stuffing. I always use acrylic yarn because it’s durable and machine washable, which is essential when you’re making toys for messy little humans.

The projects I’m sharing here range from super simple (perfect if you’re just starting out) to slightly more detailed for when you want a weekend challenge. I’ve made all of these with my kids, and they’re the ones that actually get played with instead of sitting on a shelf looking cute. Some became bedtime buddies, others are bath toys (yes, they dry eventually), and a few have starring roles in elaborate pretend-play scenarios. Each one is small enough to finish in a reasonable time but special enough that your kids will treasure them. Let’s get into these adorable amigurumi ideas that your little ones will love.

1. Simple Smiling Octopus

This one’s perfect for beginners because you’re basically making a ball for the head and eight simple tentacles. Kids love octopuses because of all those legs to play with, and you can make each tentacle a different color if you want. I made one in rainbow colors for my son and he named it Rainbow Gary, which apparently is a perfectly normal name for an octopus. The tentacles are fun for little hands to grab and fidget with, and you can make the face as simple or detailed as you want. Just a couple of safety eyes and an embroidered smile, and you’re done. It takes maybe three hours total if you’re not rushing.

2. Chunky Little Dinosaur

Every kid goes through a dinosaur phase, right? This chunky little T-rex or stegosaurus is so much cuter than it has any right to be. You make a rounded body, add stumpy little legs, tiny arms, and whatever spikes or details you want on the back. I used green yarn with a cream belly, but you could go wild with colors because who says dinosaurs can’t be purple? The chunky proportions make it really huggable and easy to construct. My daughter insists hers is a vegetarian dinosaur named Pickles who only eats pretend salad. Kids have such an imagination with these things.

3. Sleepy Bunny with Floppy Ears

Bunnies are always a hit, and the floppy ears on this one are what make it extra special. You crochet the ears long and flat so they drape down the sides, and kids love touching them. I added a little embroidered sleepy face with closed eyes, which somehow made it the designated nap-time buddy in our house. You can make it in traditional bunny colors like white or gray, or go with something fun like dusty pink or lavender. The body is just an oval shape with a little cotton tail on the back. This one’s great for kids who like to cuddle their toys to sleep because it’s so soft and squishy.

4. Happy Little Mushroom

Mushrooms are having a moment with kids right now – I don’t know why, but they’re obsessed. This one’s super quick to make because it’s just a cap and a stem, and you can add cute little spots on top. I did a red cap with white spots like a classic toadstool, and gave it a sweet little smile. It’s small enough that kids can carry it in their pockets, which apparently is very important. You could make a whole family of mushrooms in different sizes and colors. They’re also great for pretend play – my kids use them as houses for tiny toys. Simple but so stinking cute.

5. Cuddly Bear with Overalls

This little bear wears tiny crocheted overalls, which takes it from cute to absolutely precious. You make a basic bear shape with rounded ears, then crochet miniature overalls that actually go on and off (though let’s be real, they’ll probably stay on permanently). I used brown yarn for the bear and denim-blue for the overalls with little yellow buttons. It’s slightly more advanced because of the clothing piece, but still totally doable. This became my son’s favorite because he likes that his bear is “dressed” like him. The overalls add so much personality.

6. Smiling Strawberry

Fruit amigurumi is weirdly popular with toddlers, and strawberries are the easiest to start with. You make a red cone shape, add little yellow seeds (just French knots in embroidery), and crochet a green leafy top. Give it a happy little face and you’re done. I love making a bunch of these in slightly different sizes because they’re so fast – each one takes maybe an hour. Kids use them for pretend kitchen play, and they’re also nice for teaching colors and counting. My daughter has a whole basket of fruit amigurumi that gets more playtime than actual toys sometimes.

7. Tiny Whale with Spouting Water

Whales are so calming to make because they’re just smooth, simple shapes. You create an oval body, add side flippers and a tail, then the fun part – crocheting a little water spout coming from the top of the head in white or light blue yarn. Add some embroidered eyes and a subtle smile. I made this in gray-blue yarn and it’s become a bath toy somehow, which works because it dries fine. The water spout makes it recognizable as a whale even to little kids who are still learning their animals. It’s chunky enough to be easy to hold but streamlined enough to look legit.

8. Chubby Bee with Stripes

Bees are just naturally cute with their stripes and wings. You alternate yellow and black yarn to create the striped body, add some translucent-looking wings (I use white yarn in a lacy pattern), tiny antennae, and a sweet face. The round chubby body makes it really huggable. This is great for spring or summer vibes, and it’s educational too – you can talk about how bees make honey and help flowers grow. My kids call theirs “the nice bee” to distinguish it from scary outside bees. It’s small enough for little hands but substantial enough that it won’t get lost immediately.

9. Simple Smiling Sun

This happy sun is literally just a yellow circle with triangular rays all around and a big smile. It’s one of the fastest projects on this list and perfect for absolute beginners. Kids love it because it’s so cheerful and recognizable. You can hang it in their room, use it as a throw pillow, or just let them carry it around. I made the face really simple – just embroidered closed happy eyes and a big smile. You could add rosy cheeks with pink yarn or fabric paint. It’s the kind of toy that makes everyone smile when they see it. Super simple but surprisingly popular with the under-five crowd.

10. Cozy Sleeping Cat

This curled-up cat is perfect for kids who want a calm, cuddly toy. You crochet the cat in a curled sleeping position with its tail wrapped around its body and its eyes closed peacefully. I used gray yarn with white for the paws and chest, but any cat color works. The sleeping position makes it different from typical stuffed animals and somehow more precious. It’s great for bedtime because it models that calm, sleepy energy. My youngest insists we tuck hers in with a blanket every night. It’s a slightly more advanced shape because of the curved position, but the tutorial I used made it really clear how to do it.