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Beanie Babies are amongst the worlds best toys and collectables. Made by Ty Inc. Beanie Babies are famous for being stuffed with plastic pellets instead of regular stuffing like a normal plush doll. This gives an incredible feel to Beanie Babies – it makes you want to hug them! Some people say that Beanie Babies are just bean bags, but really, I don’t see you hugging a bean bag now do I?

Beanie Babies are identified by their tags. These tell us that they are authentic Ty Beanie Babies and not some cheap knockoff. When you buy a Beanie Baby, you don’t take off the tag, so if you were to sell it later, the buyer would know that you are selling the real deal!

Tags include the Ty logo and the Beanie Baby’s name. There are many different styles and types of tags, but initially they were very simple – logo in front, Beanie Baby name on the back.

Since they’ve been introduced, Beanie Babies have been popular. Initially as a childrens toy, but eventually by collectors all over the world. Ty Warner created the original nine Beanie Babies and displayed them at the 1993 World Toy Fair.

The Original Nine:

  • Brownie the Bear Beanie Baby
  • Squealer the Pig Beanie Baby
  • Splash the Whale Beanie Baby
  • Legs the Frog Beanie Baby
  • Flash the Dolphin Beanie Baby
  • Pinchers the Lobster Beanie Baby
  • Spot the Dog Beanie Baby
  • Chocolate the Moose Beanie Baby
  • Patti the Platypus Beanie Baby

People started collecting Beanie Babies only once Ty started retiring Beanie Babies. Originally marketed for kids, the Beanie Baby craze began to whir up a storm!

People still buying Beanie Babies to this day! Recently Ty has released a special Beanie Baby designed after Barack Obama’s first dog, Bo!

How is a Beanie Baby Made?

The first thing to understand is that despite their names, Beanie Babies do not have beans in them. Inside are small plastic pellets made from either polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene. This makes Beanie Babies different from regular plush dolls. The outer cover of the Beanie Baby – its fur is made from synthetic plush. Soft to touch, it makes petting a Beanie Baby so much more fun!

The rest of the Beanie Baby – eyes, noses, etc, are plastic and made by specialty subcontractors. These are child proof to prevent children from pulling out these small parts and choking on them. The are difficult to pull off, will not come off after washing, or rough play.

Tags are fastened onto a Beanie Baby via a plastic fastener. The tags themselves are printed on paper with the Ty logo on it. (Other brands have their own logos)

Ty Beanie Babies are designed by Ty Warner himself. He makes many prototypes of a design he is trying, and will use different materials, or colors or shapes until he gets the design he wants. He talks to employees as well as collectors to gather ideas for his next design.

The manufacturing process contains many steps. These include:

1) Choosing a pattern and having a machine cut it out

2) Assembly of the face of the Beanie Baby. Eyes and nose are inserted. Ears are sewn on

3) The Beanie Baby is stitched together and then turned inside out

4) Pellet filling is inserted after measuring the right  amount. The Beanie Baby is sewn shut.

5) Testing of the Beanie Baby takes place – squeezing, hugging, etc, to make sure the texture and weight is appropriate

6) Details such as ribbons, or bows are put on. Tags are put on.

And thats the basics on how Beanie Babies are made!