Quick answer: Ty is the company behind Beanie Babies and Beanie Boos, known for signature plush animals with oversized, sparkly eyes, alongside a wide range of licensed characters from Marvel, Disney, and more. MacroBaby carries a rotating selection of both. For babies under 3, look for embroidered eyes rather than plastic ones, and remember stuffed animals shouldn't go in the crib until your baby is at least 12 months old.
Ty has been making plush animals since 1986, and its Beanie Boos line is still one of the most recognizable stuffed animal styles on the market. Here's what sets Ty's plush apart, how it's actually made, a real safety checklist for young kids, and what MacroBaby carries.
From Beanie Babies to Beanie Boos
Ty Inc. was founded in 1986 by Ty Warner, and the company's first major hit, Beanie Babies, launched in 1993, becoming one of the most widely recognized toy fads in American history. Beanie Boos, introduced around 2009, took the same small plush format and gave it a signature look: oversized, sparkling eyes designed for more visual appeal on the shelf and more character in each animal's expression. Ty's current lineup spans original Beanie Boos designs like unicorns and foxes, alongside licensed characters from Marvel, Disney, and other franchises.
What Ty plush is actually made of
Ty's plush animals are made from a soft outer fabric the company calls TY Silk, over a filling of polyester fiberfill. Beanie Boos in particular are typically weighted at the bottom with a small amount of synthetic beads, which is what lets them sit upright on a shelf rather than flopping over, similar to how the original Beanie Babies used small plastic pellets throughout the body for that same beanbag feel. That weighted-bottom detail is worth knowing for safety reasons too: if a seam near the base ever tears, the priority is to set the toy aside and stop play with it rather than let a child continue handling one that's leaking its fill, since both the fiberfill and the small weighted beads are choking hazards if a young child gets to them directly.
Choosing a size that fits how your child will actually use it
Ty sells its Beanie Boos line across a few standard sizes, generally described as regular (around 6 inches), medium (around 13 inches), and large (around 16 inches), with occasional jumbo or clip-on keychain sizes depending on the character. A small clip-on style works well attached to a diaper bag or stroller strap for on-the-go entertainment, a regular 6-inch size is easy for a toddler to actually carry around and grip, and the larger medium and large sizes tend to get used more for cuddling, bedtime, or display than for active play. It's worth thinking about where the toy will actually live day to day, rather than just which size looks best in a photo, since a jumbo plush that's too bulky to carry usually ends up sitting on a shelf.
Choosing a stuffed animal that's actually safe for your child's age
A few checks matter more than which character your child likes best. For children under 3, embroidered eyes and features are considered safer than plastic button eyes, since plastic pieces can detach with wear and become a choking hazard. To check whether any small part is a genuine choking risk, the classic test is whether it fits through an empty toilet paper roll (roughly 1.25 inches in diameter); if it fits through, it's too small for a young child. Federal toy safety rules also require that toys for children under 3 avoid small parts, sharp edges, and cords or ribbons 7 inches or longer, since long cords are a strangulation risk. Always check the manufacturer's age recommendation printed on the tag rather than guessing based on size alone.
Stuffed animals and the crib: what's actually safe
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping all soft objects, including stuffed animals, pillows, and blankets, out of a baby's sleep space until at least 12 months old, since soft items in a crib are a documented suffocation risk. A stuffed animal is perfectly fine during supervised awake time, tummy time, or stroller rides well before that age; the restriction is specifically about the unsupervised sleep environment. Once your child turns 1 and the AAP's soft-object restriction lifts, it's still worth introducing just one or two favorite stuffed animals to the crib at first rather than several at once, mainly so there's less loose material for a still-developing toddler to get tangled in overnight.
Licensed characters vs. original Beanie Boos designs
MacroBaby's Ty selection includes both original Beanie Boos animal designs, like the Rosette Unicorn and Phoenix Fox, and officially licensed characters from Marvel and Disney, including Groot and Spiderman. Licensed lines tend to appeal to kids who already have a favorite character from a show or movie, while the original animal designs are more of a Ty-specific style choice.
Everyday cuddle toy vs. collectible
It's worth knowing upfront whether you or the child you're buying for cares about resale or collectible value, since that changes how the toy should be treated. Original 1990s Beanie Babies became genuinely valuable collector's items partly because so many were kept in mint condition with tags attached and never played with. Beanie Boos and most of today's licensed Ty plush are priced and positioned as everyday toys rather than investment pieces, so there's no real reason to keep tags on or avoid actually letting a child play with one unless you specifically know you're buying a limited or exclusive release that a collector in the family is hoping to keep sealed.
Choosing between characters as a gift
When buying a Ty plush as a gift rather than for your own child, a licensed character tied to a show, movie, or franchise the child already loves is generally the safer bet than guessing at an original Beanie Boos design based on color alone. If you don't know the child's current favorites, an original animal design in a neutral, well-loved shape, like a fox, unicorn, or puppy, tends to land well across a wide age range without leaning on a specific fandom that might not be their thing.
Beyond Beanie Boos: Ty's other plush lines
Beanie Boos are Ty's best-known current line, but the company sells several related styles worth knowing about if you're browsing beyond the classic big-eyed animals. Flippables, introduced in 2018, combine the standard Beanie Boos shape with reversible sequins that change color or pattern when swiped in either direction, which tends to appeal to slightly older kids who enjoy the fidget-toy aspect as much as the plush itself. Ty also makes Squishy Beanies and Puffies, softer, more rounded takes on the same characters, generally aimed at a slightly younger or more sensory-focused play style than the standard Beanie Boos line. None of these sub-lines change the basic safety guidance above; the same age, eye-type, and crib rules apply regardless of which specific Ty product line a toy comes from.
The heart tag and how to spot a genuine Ty product
Every Ty plush ships with a red, heart-shaped tag attached to one ear, printed with the character's name and, on many items, a short verse describing the character's personality. Beyond being a nice touch for a young reader, the tag is also the quickest way to confirm you're looking at a genuine Ty product rather than an off-brand look-alike, since counterfeit big-eyed plush toys have become common enough on some marketplaces that checking for the official tag and the sewn-in fabric label on the seam is worth doing before buying secondhand or from an unfamiliar seller. Buying from an authorized retailer removes that concern entirely, since you're guaranteed the genuine product without needing to inspect tags yourself.
Caring for a plush toy
Most Ty plush is machine washable; check the specific product's care tag for cycle and temperature guidance, and air dry rather than tumble drying to protect the shape and stuffing. Inspect seams periodically, especially on a toy that gets carried around daily, since a small tear that goes unnoticed can grow and expose stuffing or internal parts. If a seam does start to separate, a quick hand-stitch as soon as you notice it is much easier than waiting until the tear is large enough for fill material to actually escape.
Shop Ty at MacroBaby
MacroBaby carries a rotating selection of Ty Beanie Boos and licensed character plush. Browse the full Ty collection online or visit our Orlando showroom to see what's currently in stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age are Ty Beanie Boos appropriate for?
Always check the specific product's tag for the manufacturer's age recommendation. As a general rule, children under 3 should have plush toys with embroidered rather than plastic eyes, since plastic pieces can become a choking hazard if they detach.
Can my baby sleep with a stuffed animal?
The AAP recommends keeping stuffed animals and other soft objects out of a baby's sleep space until at least 12 months old, due to suffocation risk. They're fine during supervised awake time before that.
How do I know if a small toy part is a choking hazard?
A common test is whether the part fits through an empty toilet paper roll, about 1.25 inches in diameter. If it fits through, it's considered too small to be safe for a child under 3.
What's the difference between Beanie Boos and classic Beanie Babies?
Beanie Boos, introduced around 2009, feature signature oversized, sparkling eyes and a slightly different plush style compared to the original 1993 Beanie Babies line.
Are Ty's licensed character plush toys officially authorized?
Yes, Ty produces officially licensed plush for franchises including Marvel and Disney, distinct from its original Beanie Boos animal designs.
What sizes do Ty Beanie Boos come in?
Ty generally sells Beanie Boos in a regular size around 6 inches, a medium around 13 inches, and a large around 16 inches, plus occasional clip-on and jumbo sizes depending on the character.
What is Ty plush actually filled with?
Ty uses a soft outer fabric called TY Silk over polyester fiberfill, with Beanie Boos typically weighted at the bottom with a small amount of synthetic beads so they can sit upright.
Are Beanie Boos worth keeping as collectibles?
Generally no, unlike some original 1990s Beanie Babies. Most current Beanie Boos and licensed Ty plush are positioned as everyday toys rather than investment pieces, so they're meant to be played with.
