Reversible Happy/Sad Octopus CuddleBuddy with Comfort Coins
A cuddly friend who helps children work through big feelings!
Meet OctoBuddy, a soft, squishy, reversible octopus that gives children a comforting way to express their feelings and practice calming themselves.
Every child has moments when they feel angry, afraid, lonely, embarrassed, or overwhelmed. But young children don’t always have the words to explain what they’re feeling or know what to do with those emotions. That’s where OctoBuddy comes in!
OctoBuddy has two faces to match two different moods. On the outside, a bright yellow octopus wears a big, happy smile. Turn it inside-out, and you’ll find a blue, sad-looking octopus with a hidden pouch containing four wooden Comfort Coins. Each coin carries a positive affirmation to help a child through a difficult moment.
How does OctoBuddy work?
Children are encouraged to:
- Express their feelings. Turn OctoBuddy to its blue side when they’re feeling sad, worried, or upset. They can talk to their octopus about what’s bothering them.
- Choose a Comfort Coin. Each of the four coins offers a different encouraging message.
- Rub the coin and repeat the affirmation. The simple, repetitive motion and positive words provide a comforting activity.
- Give their OctoBuddy a hug. Its soft, velvety feel and squishy eight arms invite children to cuddle, squeeze, and hold their new friend close.
The four Comfort Coins offer affirmations to help children:
- Calm down when they’re angry or upset.
- Find courage when they’re afraid.
- Feel loved when they’re lonely.
- Feel good about themselves when they’re embarrassed or ashamed.
Why is this more than an ordinary stuffed animal?
OctoBuddy brings together three comforting experiences: repetitive movement, positive affirmations, and soft tactile comfort. These are commonly used in approaches to emotional self-regulation. Children experience them naturally through play, without feeling that they’re being asked to do an exercise or follow a lesson.
As children become familiar with OctoBuddy, they can learn to recognize their feelings, use reassuring words, and find comfort in a familiar routine.
A wonderful resource for children and the adults who care for them
OctoBuddy is especially useful for children’s hospitals, pediatric care settings, counseling programs, schools, childcare centers, crisis organizations, and other places where children may need extra comfort and reassurance.
It also makes a thoughtful gift for a child going through a difficult time. Parents, grandparents, teachers, counselors, and caregivers can use OctoBuddy to open gentle conversations about feelings.
Two helpful instruction inserts are included.
One introduces children to OctoBuddy and the Comfort Coins. The other explains the ideas behind the calming activities for parents and caregivers. Younger children may need an adult to read the instructions and affirmations aloud. The coins are color-coded to help preschoolers tell them apart.
What’s special about OctoBuddy?
- Reversible design: happy yellow octopus on one side, sad blue octopus on the other.
- Four wooden Comfort Coins with positive affirmations.
- Hidden pouch for storing the coins.
- Extra-soft, squishy design with eight cuddly arms.
- Approximately 8 inches across and 4 inches high.
- Includes instruction sheets for children and parents.
Children can even give their OctoBuddy a name—or two, one for each personality!
Designed for children ages four and up.
The small Comfort Coins may present a choking hazard for younger children. Adult supervision is recommended when appropriate.
Whether a child needs a little courage, reassurance, or simply a comforting hug, OctoBuddy is a lovable companion for navigating life’s ups and downs.
anne kirchgraber-mckee –
these octopi are amazing!!! have purchased and gifted more than a few, and they are all in happy homes now, helping their kiddos work through their feelings, and communicate with their families. HIGHLY RECOMMEND
Karen B. –
My granddaughter LOVED the octopus and the calming coins.
from an email –
And, on a personal note, the happy/sad octopus has been great for my 4 year old grandson when he is feeling grumpy and all round non compliant. He turns the octopus to yellow or blue to show me how he is feeling.