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How to Make Your Own Personalized Stuffed Animals

If you have little ones that love stuffed animals, DIY these adorable personalized stuffed animals from Dollar Tree for any holiday or occasion! You can turn cute $1 stuffed animals into adorable gifts for just over $1 and a few supplies!

DIY Personalized Stuffed Animals from Dollar Tree

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My girls are stuffed animals obsessed. We have to limit the amount that they take into their beds at night.

It’s a whole ceremony type thing when they determine which ones they’ll choose for the night.

I can’t say that I dislike it. I am kind of a stuffed animal fan myself.

Not really for myself, but if I’m somewhere and the girls aren’t with me, I gravitate towards a stuffed animal gift.

Those huge stuffed toy displays at The Disney Store? Yep, they get me every time.

One place you might not often think about stuffed animal shopping at, though, is Dollar Tree. My girls, however, can tell you that Dollar Tree has a variety of $1 stuffed animals, usually at all times, but especially around holidays.

On my most recent visit, I found lots of Valentines themed puppies, bears, and monkeys. While the two that I chose for the girls are cute enough on their own, I wanted to do something to make them super special!

Here’s how to make Personalized Stuffed Animals EASY with this DIY hack!

If you have a Cricut, or similar machine, you’ve probably used Heat Transfer Vinyl before. It’s simple to use and once your machine cuts out your design, you simply iron on your shirt [or project].

Expert Tip: Everyone has their favorite brands of vinyl, but mine is definitely Siser Easyweed HTV. I usually buy the square sheets as I find them much easier to use than rolls.

I’ve made several projects using HTV and my Cricut machine. I even purchased a Cricut EasyPress to make those projects easier. But it’s way too large for these mini personalized stuffed animals!

Dollar Tree Stuffed Animals

While Cricut has come out with a mini press now, I’ve got an ever better hack for you when you’re making these DIY personalized stuffed animals – your hair straightener!

Genius, right?! My straightener gets as hot as any iron I’ve ever had and it’s the perfect size to clamp right around the stuffed animal’s little body to attach the heat transfer vinyl.

In a matter of minutes and a few cents over $1 [including the $1 stuffed animals and HTV], you’ll have the cutest little personalized stuffed animals around!

DIY Personalized Stuffed Animals

Of course, these two are going to make adorable unique valentines gifts for kids, but you could also make them for birthdays, Easter basket fillers, birthday party favors, and even Christmas gifts.

The Dollar Tree always has holiday themed stuffed animals so it’s easy to find ones to match every holiday.

Plus, at only $1 [plus your HTV material – which it only uses a tiny bit], you could even make your child’s classmates personalized stuffed animals too!

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Wednesday 8th of January 2020

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Lisa

Monday 10th of December 2018

What font did you use for stuffed animals?

Lindsey

Wednesday 12th of December 2018

I used Sweet Pea. I believe it's free with a Cricut subscription.

Calvin

Tuesday 17th of April 2018

Buildabear.. but at home, neat!

jessica hirschinger

Thursday 22nd of February 2018

I recently ironed on HTV to an elephant's ear and the are where the stitching is turned pinkish. I think it might have burnt. I also want to do these dollar tree plush but am now scared of HTV. Any suggestions?

Lindsey

Thursday 22nd of February 2018

There's definitely a learning curve to HTV. It may just have gotten too hot. If you can adjust the heat setting on what you're using, try to turn it down just a bit. Or lift for a few seconds and reapply. I practiced a lot on an old shirt before I started getting comfortable making projects. Good luck!

Shelley

Monday 1st of January 2018

These are adorable can you share which font you used?

Lindsey

Tuesday 2nd of January 2018

I don't remember the name! Cricut Design Space has changed so much in the last year - I know it was included in the monthly fee though. Sorry I couldn't be more help!