From Gund to Jellycat to Kaloo, we found a great selection of soft plush toys for your baby.

One of the greatest things about summer is the opening of the zoo. From The Bronx Zoo to the Dallas Zoo to the Battersea Park Zoo, these animal conservatories offer children the chance to see, and sometimes touch, fascinating forms of wildlife. Taking the weekend to enjoy a day trip to this kid-friendly favorite will definitely have your little one giggling with joy. Whether it is a large brown forest bear or a cuddly rabbit, no child can resist the animal magnetism that a trip to the zoo entails.

The odds are pretty high that your child will want to take one (if not all) of these animals home. Since they’re not likely to gel with your hardwood floors, we recommend a soft plush toy instead. If your little baby likes something wild and not so dangerous, both Gund’s Hug Me Hugo teddy bear and FAO Schwarz’s Sitting Sidney Monkey make for great sleeping companions. But should your little one want something domesticated, Jellycat Latte Puppy, Melissa & Doug Siamese Cat and the Kaloo Rabbit will get them ready for something slightly more lively a few years down the line.