Cow-themed toys are on the rise this year. Experts attribute this to a growing trend of nostalgia, which is aiding parents and children to connect through shared experiences. With their friendly appearance and playful sounds, cows have become a delightful blend of cute and comforting for kids across the board.
Move aside, unicorns. Cow-themed toys are making quite an impression, appearing in various forms like soft plush animals and board games. While it may seem lighthearted, there is substantial reasoning behind the cow’s increasing popularity.
The power of nostalgia is influencing toy sales this year, with beloved brands like Care Bears and furReal Friends making a comeback, according to Lynn Rosenblum, an associate professor of toy design at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles with over 40 years of expertise in the industry.
“Kids and their parents are drawn to toys that offer comfort during unpredictable times,” Rosenblum shares. “I’m dubbing the cow trend ‘moo-stalgia.’ It’s engaging and familiar, which parents find appealing for their children right now.”
Lynn Rosenblum, toy expert
“I’m calling the cow trend ‘moo-stalgia.’ It’s playful and familiar, which is exactly what parents want for their kids right now.”
— Lynn Rosenblum, toy expert
Why Cow Toys Are Taking Over in 2025
One of the most significant toy trends this year is what industry experts term “old-school upgraded,” which includes retro toys with contemporary spin. Popular nostalgic picks encompass new releases from well-known brands such as Lite-Brite and SEGA.
“Consumers are gravitating toward the familiar,” Rosenblum notes. “The rise of cow toys reflects nostalgia and comfort. During tough times, consumers seek products that bring back happier, simple memories.”
An excellent illustration of how retro brands connect with the contemporary “moo-stalgia” trend is Just Play’s furReal Friends line. Originally launched decades ago, it has found renewed success through the introduction of Maggie the Feed & Follow Cow.
It’s important to note that not just nostalgic brands are participating in the cow trend. Ali Mierzejewski, editor-in-chief of The Toy Insider, witnessed this trend at The Toy Association’s annual 2025 Toy Fair, where various toy makers showcased their latest offerings.
“At Toy Fair, we noticed many enjoyable toys featuring cows and diverse ways to engage with them,” Mierzejewski explains. She highlighted a few of the new cow toys released this year that she finds most appealing:
Cows in Space—This interactive game from Relatable encourages players to beam up as many cows as possible to an extraterrestrial leader, featuring magnetic UFO headbands.
Cownado!!—In this tabletop game from Moose Toys, players load a cow into a swirling tornado and hit it back and forth in order to make it fly out.
Longhorn Plush—For Piccoli, a company known for their award-winning plush horses, their venture into cow-themed toys seems like a natural fit.
Lamaze Peek-a-Moo Friendly Barn—This plush barn by TOMY incorporates crinkle flaps on the roof, satin ribbons, patterns, and a cow plush with a crinkle texture.
Whacky Mooves Interactive Bop Toy—In this Battat game, children tap colorful, sound-making veggies as they light up; it comes with a conveniently designed mallet.
What Makes the Cow So Perfect for Play in the First Place?
Each year, there seems to be a standout animal that captures the toy market—think dinosaurs, unicorns, and the axolotl last year. According to toy experts, here’s why cows are perfectly positioned to shine in 2025:
Universally appealing characteristics and traits
Cows are recognizable, lovable, and appeal across generations. “They are among the most familiar farm animals and are known for being friendly and gentle,” Rosenblum shares. “This characteristic makes them appealing to toddlers, kids, and even adults.”
Additionally, whether plush or collectibles, the cow’s round shapes and distinct features lend themselves effortlessly to design, she adds.
Their famous kid-friendly ‘moo’ sound
“Moo” is often one of the first animal sounds children learn, creating a sense of engagement and familiarity for every age, according to Mierzejewski. “This makes cow toys ideal for entertaining younger kids, such as toddlers and preschoolers, while also amusing older kids with their silliness,” she explains.
In reality, farm animals consistently perform well in the toy market as they symbolize childhood universally, Rosenblum notes.
Popular imagery from pop-culture content
Movies and cartoons have popularized visuals, portraying cows in entertaining scenarios like being abducted by aliens or flying through a tornado, providing ample material for creating captivating games, explains Mierzejewski.
Kids can see cows in their everyday lives
Overall, cows are accessible animals for children. “They can be found in real life or the entertainment content they enjoy,” Mierzejewski states. “I believe the combination of the cow’s fun characteristics and its relatability in kids’ lives has created an ideal environment for it to become the most popular animal.”
So, Where Is the Cow Toy Trend Headed?
The goal is to keep the cow trend alive! Cows have a perfect mix of charm and humor, and understanding the comfort they bring to families enhances their appeal. While the future of the “moo-stalgia” trend is uncertain, experts currently don’t foresee any slowdown.
“Products based on recognizable characters continue to perform well,” Rosenblum adds. Despite challenges in manufacturing and tariffs affecting supply chains, the demand for toys remains strong, as families consider toy categories essential for children’s emotional and developmental well-being, she concludes.
