Get ready to enter an irresistibly cute world of squishy hugs and fluffy snuggles – it’s time to talk the wonderful Bum Bumz plush toys taking over bedrooms across the globe!
As a long-time plushie collector and self-proclaimed “squishaholic“, I’ve amassed quite the squad of Bum Bumz buddies over the years. Their adorably chubby faces and ultra-soft textures make them the perfect cuddle companion.
In this in-depth guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about collecting these sought-after plush cuties, including:
- Bum Bumz toy origins and background
- Benefits of plushies for kids
- Safety and materials overview
- Size options guide
- Collecting tips for adults
- Cleaning and care instructions
- Where to buy rare editions
- And much more!
So let’s get right into the irresistibly cute world of Bum Bumz! I have a feeling you’ll soon be scouring the plush toy aisles too…
What Are Bum Bumz Plush Toys?
Bum Bumz are a line of cute rounded plush toys sporting adorably chubby bellies and faces. This Philadelphia-based brand first launched in 2016, debuting collections of colorful animal and food plushies in ultra-soft textures fit for endless hugs.
While relatively new, their toy quality and cute designs quickly captured the internet’s attention. Instagram influencers and toy reviewers started spreading their squish-appeal far and wide.
Signature elements that make Bum Bumz so collectible include:
- Ultra-soft textures – Using premium microfibers fills that feel like plushy clouds!
- Round bubbly shape – Chubby curved bodies and smiles beg for a squeeze.
- Cute faces – Big sparkly eyes and tiny embroidered details for personality.
- Food or animal themes – Whimsical fruit, sweet treat, and critter varieties.
- Vibrant colors – Bold and bright color schemes that pop
- Quality stitching – Tight and durable seams that hold up well.
Part of the addictive fun is that Bum Bumz come in massive variety across colors, textures, sizes and themes. You’ll constantly be tempted to expand your plushie empire!
Now let’s explore why kids and parents love these squishy companions so much.
Benefits of Owning Bum Bumz Plush Toys
Beyond just being cute shelf candy, Bum Bumz offer many developmental benefits for little ones:
Emotional Support
The soft texture makes Bum Bumz perfect for comforting hugs when kids get upset. Cuddling their adorable plushie buddy helps soothe away the tears. Studies show attachments to “comfort toys” reduce childhood anxiety and fears.
Imagination Boost
The silly characters inspire kids to create little adventures or personalities for their new Bum Bumz friends, exercising their storytelling skills. This pretend play builds crucial creativity, emotional intelligence and problem-solving abilities.
Fine Motor Skill Development
Manipulating the smooth silky fabric, poking the little embroidered details, or squeezing their squishy padding promotes development of hands and finger dexterity. This aids in strengthening their fine motor muscles and hand-eye coordination.
So parents can feel good about kids bonding with these ultra-huggable companions! Now let’s look at the toy safety.
Bum Bumz Plush Toy Materials
As a parent myself, I know choosing safe toys is a top priority. Here’s an overview of Bum Bumz materials:
- The outer fabric is super soft, luxuriously plush polyester. This allows for vibrant dye colors while staying gentle on skin.
- The stuffing uses a premium polyester fiber fill to achieve that perfect squishy texture kids love squeezing and adults love poking (!). It retains its springy shape through endless play.
- The embroidered accents use tested child-safe threads so there’s no risk of irritation.
- ASTM-approved safety testing ensures the toy passes stringent regulations on flammability and chemical use.
So you can have peace of mind knowing Bum Bumz meet strict safety criteria for kids of all ages!
An important benefit is that the high-quality ingredients also make Bum Bumz durable. Some bargain plushies degrade quickly but these babies retain their huggability wash after wash.
Next up, let’s explore the size range available.
Bum Bumz Plush Toy Size Options
One fun variety element is that Bum Bumz come in a wide spectrum of sizes to suit any space or age:
3-inch Minis
Itty bitty mini Bum Bumzs work great as backpack buddies or pencil topper toys. Easy to toss in a bag for portable play.
5 to 7-inch Smalls
The petite and pocket-sized small Bum Bumz suit little toddler hands or displaying on shelves. Still eminently squeezable for a quick squish fix!
10-inch Regulars
The everyday standard size Bum Bumz fit nicely into arm hugs and cuddle sessions. Great for taking to daycare or the car.
16-inch Megas
For full-on bear hugs and marathon squish sessions, the extra large Bum Bumz deliver! Their giant size invites next-level nuzzling and nurturing play. Think adoption roleplaying or sleepytime cuddle buddies.
So whether you want portable pocket pets or life-sized plushy pals, Bum Bumz have a size to indulge any squish craving!
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get into the good stuff – pro collecting tips!
Guide to Collecting Bum Bumz Toys
While originally geared for children, Bum Bumz have gained a surprise following among adult enthusiasts who love showcasing rare editions. Let’s explore pro strategies for upping your plushie game:
Research Current and Retired Collections
Bum Bumz regularly debut new limited release series and special holiday capsules which later get retired. Brush up on past and present lines so you can recognize popular ones that tend sell out quickly.
Rare out-of-production Bum Bumz can later command steep prices on secondary markets from diehard collectors, especially with exclusives like the Mint Manatee or Glitter Unicorn.
Budget Accordingly For New Releases
When fresh Bum Bumz series drop, competition gets fierce. Have funds ready for online pre-orders or lining up at stores to snag retiring editions still available at retail price.
You’ll easily go down a collecting rabbit hole rapidly amassing multiple sizes and color variants of each irresistibly cute design!
Display With Care to Maintain Condition
Since condition equals value with collectors items, ensure prized Bum Bumz get ample breathing room on shelves away from direct light. Handle gently and regularly surface clean.
For extra protection, store ultra rare ones in clear plastic collector cases or acrylic display boxes to prevent dust build up and accidents over years of ownership.
Connect With Fellow Fans Online
Join Bum Bumz buy/sell groups on Facebook to network about upcoming toy drops, limited edition sightings in stores, or arrange toy trades to complete your squad goals. Having a community helps collectors support each others hobby.
Follow those pro tips and you’ll be amassing hordes huggable Bum Bumz pals in no time – though fighting shelf space may get challenging!
Next let’s cover proper plushie cleaning procedures so they stay cuddly and pristine.
Cleaning and Care For Bum Bumz Toys
While those cute faces naturally invite nuzzles, Bum Bumz still require occasional washing for sticky fingers and dust build up from snuggling.
Here’s proper cleaning methods based on size:
Mini and Small Size
The 3 to 7-inch tiny tykes can safely go right in the washing machine, but use a garment bag to protect embellishments in the spin cycle against abrasions.
Wash gentle cycle on cold setting with a very mild laundry detergent. For best results, skip the fabric softener.
Regular and Mega Size
For the over 10-inch plushies, spot clean only with a damp lint-free cloth and gentle soap. Avoid submerging entirely in water which can degrade the stuffing quality over time.
Be sure to concentrate cleaning on visible dirty areas only rather than wiping down the whole toy unnecessarily. This minimizes color fading against the vibrant dyed fabric.
For all sizes, always air dry thoroughly right away rather than machine drying to prevent mold growth in moist bits.
Follow those laundering tips and you can happily snuggle away for years!
Speaking of years, let’s explore Bum Bumz resale value overtime…
Bum Bumz Secondary Market Prices
As more collectors entered the race trying to “catch ’em all”, a bustling secondary market emerged pricing rare OOP (out-of-production) editions understandably at a premium.
Here’s a quick price sampling:
- Standard production Bum Bumz retail around $15 to $25 normally depending on size.
- Vaulted designs released years ago in pristine condition may ask upwards of $50 to $150.
- Ultra rare prototypes or editions with 1/100 manufacturing caps can see $300+ price tags!
As with most collectibles, factors like mint condition, production quanitity, age, packaging exclusivity and overall demand determines market rates.
Of course, you’ll also see absurdly inflated listings preying on fanaticism – so research carefully! Joining buying groups helps ascertain fair pricing.
The thrill of scoring that super rare Chase Edition Felice the Fox for retail price remains part of the collecting adrenaline rush!
Now for the next logical question…
Where To Buy Bum Bumz Toys?
Here are top places to buy popular in-stock Bum Bumz plus hunt for coveted OOP grails:
- Official Site – BumBumzWorld.com offers latest releases and pre-order early access
- Amazon & eBay – Massive inventory across new and resale editions
- Mercari – Popular spot for collectors buying/selling vaulted plushies
- Facebook Groups – Find private sales or arrange toy trades for missing pieces
- Specialty Toy Shops – Retailers like Learning Express, Box Lunch occasionally get shipments of older stock
Outside of limited edition mania, standard Bum Bumz are also easily found affordably year-round at major big box Stores like Walmart, Target, Walgreens etc making them accessible gifts.
Now for the final piece – answering some common collector questions!
Frequently Asked Bum Bumz Questions
Here are answers to some popular inquiries:
Q: What is the most rare Bum Bumz ever released?
A: Generally one-offs like the employee-exclusive Mustard Milkshake Cow or early prototypes get cited as exceptionally scarce – only a handful in existence!
Q: How fast do limited editions sell out?
A: Within hours or instantaneously! Limited exclusive variant runs capped under 500 units can vanish extremely quickly thanks to fans vying for a rare collectible advantage.
Q: How many Bum Bumz exist?
*A: *After over 300 editions spanning 5 years, there are realistically thousands of overall Bum Bumz varieties counting all colors, sizes and subtleties. But the novelty and slow releases makes hunting special ones down addictively exciting!
I hope this guide has you itching to start or grow your own Bum Bumz squad! Just beware the storage space realities once plushie obsession kicks in…
Key Takeaways on Bum Bumz Toys:
- Bum Bumz are cute rounded plushies in a variety of animal and food designs appreciated for their soft texture and friendly faces
- The high-quality premium materials make them durable and safe for all ages
- Different size options like mega or mini suit kids preferences and play needs
- Collectors obsess over limited edition capsules and vaulted releases which can appreciate hugely in secondary markets
- Proper displays and gentle cleaning keeps plushies looking pristine and cute through years of ownership
- Connecting with other toy fans via online groups enhances the hobby experience tremendously
That wraps up this fluffy-as-can-be guide to fabulous world of Bum Bumz! Now go enjoy grabbing some marshmallow-soft hugs 🤗