Ikea Calls on Kids to Design Plush for Unicef

Soft Toys for Education is an annual fundraiser held by IKEA which takes 1 euro for every toy sold and donates it towards children’s education projects for UNICEF and Save the Children. The toys all cost under $15, with approximately $1.11 from each toy donated to Save the Children and UNICEF.

The Soft Toys For Education campaign has been running since 2003, but this is the first time Ikea has used toys designed by children to help raise money.

“These soft toys are truly fun and imaginative, but they also have a special meaning”, Bodil Fritjofsson, product developer for IKEA of Sweden, said in a press release. All 10 toys were designed by children from different parts of the world, and selected through a contest at Ikea stores. We believe every child has the right to a healthy, secure childhood and access to quality education, no matter where in the world they live.

“We can only overcome poverty if we make education a priority for all children”.

Thousands of children drew their dream toy for the competition.

Carol McSeveney, IKEA Children’s sales leader, United Kingdom and Ireland, said: “At IKEA, we see children as the most important people in the world”.

A skunk toy is shown with the drawing that inspired it for a line of Ikea soft toys.

“This year the toy range is particularly special because it has been designed by children to help children, and we’d encourage everyone to support as much as they can, so that we can give all children the start in life they deserve”.

“A quality education helps children climb the ladder of opportunity and create a better and brighter future, and for 12 years, Save the Children has been proud to partner with IKEA to positively impact many children’s futures”, said Carolyn Miles, president and CEO of Save the Children.