Elephants have been a beloved subject of toys for many years. These gentle giants are revered in some cultures for the good fortune they bestow. And regardless of culture, elephants are just plain cute. This is just one reason why a slew of elephant toys are available on the market. They’re a favorite among children.

One especially adorable example is the Pillow Pets Signature Nutty Elephant Plush. This award-winning dual-use toy is designed to convert from a pillow to a stuffed animal, and vice versa. Nutty is composed of ultra-soft chenille that'll feel lovely against your child's skin.

You’ve likely seen two types of elephant toys most often: stuffed animals and rubber or plastic action figures. However, if your child isn’t interested in either one ― or if they want to diversify their collection ― you do have other options. Elephants tend to be a popular animal among children and adults alike, making it easy to find elephant toys in the following categories:

When it comes to smart shopping, research is key. In fact, arming yourself with the facts and figures is the cornerstone of shopping success. Get a definitive idea of the type of elephant toy your child wants. From there, do a deep dive into the price range, design and functionalities of toys in that category.

Your child might favor simple toys that are low on bells and whistles but high on the fun factor. Examples of toys that fall into this category include action figures and stuffed animals. These toys are particularly good for babies and toddlers because their simple functionality is easy to decipher.

Older children, on the other hand, benefit from toys that give them a challenge or a puzzle to solve. If your child falls into this age group, they might enjoy an elephant toy that has movement, musical, audio, floating or waterproof properties.

Elephants spend their lives in herds, so why not assemble a herd of elephant toys for your child? Playing with multiple elephants is not only fun, but it can also be educational. Your child can learn how to handle relationships in a healthy way by acting them out with their toys. And you don't have to worry about finding a place to store the herd if you invest in a good toy box.

There’s a good reason why elephant plushies are constructed of material that’s soft and skin-friendly. After all, these stuffed animals are made for snuggling, whether that means on the couch, at bedtime or both. Similarly, elephant toys like those used in the bathtub and as action figures will be more rugged in construction. In addition, bath toys should be designed with waterproof properties to ensure they don’t deteriorate when submerged in water. Building sets are most often composed of plastic or wood. In general, as evidenced by these examples, the materials used are determined by the function the toy serves.

The size of an elephant toy is important not only for the sake of function but for storage, as well. If you have a limited amount of storage space, it’s best to steer clear of large or oversized toys. These items could quickly create clutter in a small space.

Some elephant toys are sold in sets. There’s no standard size; any grouping of two or more toys sold together is considered a set. Benefits of sets include the convenience of getting multiple toys at once and a lower price than you might pay for individual purchases. If you’re uncertain whether your child will like an elephant toy, it’s best to test the waters with an individual toy.

While the cost depends largely on the individual characteristics and complexity of the toy, $10-$85 is a reasonable price range.

A. Children under the age of 3 should never be given an elephant toy constructed with small parts. Otherwise, these pieces could end up lodged in your child's throat, a nightmare scenario no parent wants to face. Instead, look for toys made with cloth parts, not plastic or glass. Water toys that could grow mold should also be considered carefully. Remember, babies and toddlers tend to put everything in their mouths. The last thing you want in your child's mouth is mold.

A. The best toys to use with an elephant toy are people or toys modeled after other animals. A particularly good match is animals that would co-exist with elephants in the wild. That said, encouraging creative play is always a great way to inspire your child's imagination, so mixing and matching different types of animals is always advantageous.

Pillow Pets Signature Nutty Elephant Plush: available at Macy's

Our take: Doubling as a pillow, this ultra-soft elephant stuffed animal is suitable for children of all ages.

What we like: Nutty Elephant has a friendly face that'll help your child feel at ease. The plush is constructed of high-quality chenille that's gentle on skin. Nutty can be used in one of two ways: as a toy or as a comfortable pillow. The toy has received several awards.

What we dislike: Quality control was the main issue cited by a small number of unhappy buyers, who reported holes and weak stitching.

Terra by Battat African Elephant Family Miniature Toys: available at Amazon

Our take: Give your child a family of four African elephants with this competitively-priced set of miniatures.

What we like: Designed with realistic features, this African elephant family resembles a miniature version of the real animals. The set includes one male adult, one female adult and two calves. Created in a small size, these elephants are perfect for your child to take on playdates and when traveling.

What we dislike: A few buyers felt the quality of the toys was subpar, reporting problems that included discoloration and a missing trunk.

Playskool Elefun Busy Ball Popper Active Toy: available at Amazon

Our take: Babies and toddlers alike will get a kick out of this elephant-themed toy, which pops balls as it plays music and sound effects.

What we like: Designed specifically for the youngest children, this ball popper provides entertainment without overstimulating their minds. The elephant's trunk launches one of four colorful balls into the air. Music and sound effects accompany this action, enhancing the sensory effect. You can adjust the direction of the balls' trajectory with the trunk.

What we dislike: The fans that blow the balls out of the trunk stopped working properly after a short time, according to a handful of buyers.

Megan Oster is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money

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