If you or a loved one struggle with getting a good night‘s rest, feelings of anxiety, ADHD, autism, PTSD, or just need some extra comfort and calm, a weighted stuffed animal from Moon Pals may be the perfect solution. These adorable and oh-so-huggable "pals" are strategically weighted to provide soothing pressure and help ease stress and anxiety.
Moon Pals have exploded in popularity recently, especially on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The company has been featured in major media outlets such as the New York Times, NBC‘s Today Show, Healthline, Buzzfeed, and more.
As someone who struggles with anxiety myself and is always looking for natural, drug-free ways to relax, I was intrigued by Moon Pals and wanted to see if they could help. I got my hands on a set of all four Moon Pals characters so I could try them for myself and write a comprehensive review.
In this Moon Pals review, I‘ll give you all the details on these unique weighted stuffed animals, including:
- An overview of the Moon Pals brand and products
- The benefits of Moon Pals and weighted objects
- An in-depth look at each character (Bo, Mylo, Opal, and Echo)
- Customer reviews and feedback
- Pros and cons to consider
- Where to buy Moon Pals
- Price, discounts, and promotions
- And my personal experience and recommendation
By the end of this Moon Pals review, you‘ll have all the information you need to decide if these cuddly creatures are right for you or someone you love. Let‘s get into it!
The Story Behind Moon Pals
Moon Pals was founded by John Fiorentino and the products are made by Fio Creations, a New York-based company that also makes other popular products like Gravity Blankets, Moon Pods, and Birthdate Candles.
John was inspired to create Moon Pals after experiencing the calming effects of weighted blankets himself. He wanted to take that concept a step further and design a product that was more huggable, snuggly, and appealing to both kids and adults.
The result was Moon Pals – cute and cuddly stuffed animals thoughtfully weighted to provide calming pressure and comfort. The 4 original Moon Pals characters are Bo (blue), Mylo (pink), Opal (purple), and Echo (green), each with their own unique look and personality.
Since launching, Moon Pals have taken off and helped thousands of people of all ages find relaxation, better sleep, and anxiety relief. The company continues to expand with new products like Moon Pals t-shirts and storybooks.
The Benefits of Moon Pals and Weighted Objects
So what makes Moon Pals different from a regular stuffed animal? The key is in the weighted stuffing. Each Moon Pal is strategically filled with hypoallergenic polypropylene beads that are nontoxic and odorless. The beads are distributed to provide extra weight in the arms, legs, and torso.
This added weight provides Deep Touch Pressure (DTP), a form of therapy that‘s been shown to have calming and relaxing effects. When you hug a weighted Moon Pal, it‘s almost like receiving a firm, comforting hug from a loved one. This sensation triggers the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine that help regulate mood, emotion, and relaxation.
Weighted objects are often recommended by occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals to help with conditions like:
- Anxiety and stress
- Insomnia and sleep disorders
- Sensory processing disorders
- Autism spectrum disorders
- ADHD
- PTSD and trauma
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- General restlessness and fidgeting
Of course, you don‘t need to have a diagnosed condition to benefit from a Moon Pal. Many people simply enjoy the soothing, comforting presence they provide. Whenever you need to unwind, de-stress, or get a better night‘s sleep, hugging a Moon Pal can help you relax and calm your mind and body.
"Our weighted Moon Pals offer deep touch pressure stimulation, a form of therapy that can relax the nervous system and increase happiness hormones like serotonin and dopamine. This produces a calming, soothing effect that many people find incredibly beneficial."
– John Fiorentino, Moon Pals Founder
Meet The Moon Pals
Now that you know a bit more about the concept behind Moon Pals, let‘s meet the 4 adorable characters! Each Moon Pal has its own look, color, personality traits, and storybook.
Bo the Blue Moon Pal
Bo is a light blue Moon Pal that represents peace, wisdom, and understanding. He has a rotund belly, short bowed legs, and super long arms made for amazing hugs. If you‘re looking for a wise and peaceful snuggle buddy, Bo is your guy.
Mylo the Pink Moon Pal
Pretty in pink, Mylo‘s special traits are honesty, courage, and confidence. This Moon Pal‘s gender neutral design makes it a great choice for anyone. Mylo‘s empowering spirit will cheer you on and help you face any challenges with bravery.
Opal the Purple Moon Pal
Opal is a lovely shade of light purple and embodies qualities of hope, passion, and imagination. Her large, floppy ears are not only cute but great for fidgeting hands. Opal encourages you to dream big and find joy in creativity.
Echo the Green Moon Pal
Caring and wise Echo is a light minty green and represents the qualities of acceptance, patience, and compassion. With stubby legs and an extra rotund belly, Echo is the perfect pal to snuggle up with when you‘re feeling down and need a supportive hug.
All 4 original Moon Pals are made of ultrasoft polyester velboa fabric and are machine-washable – a must for well-loved stuffies! They‘re filled with nontoxic, BPA-free polypropylene beads that are odorless and provide a pleasant weighted sensation.
Each character is approximately 12-14" tall and weighs 5 lbs, which is a good general size and weight for kids and adults. However, the weight is ultimately a personal preference – some may want a heavier or lighter stuffed animal.
What Customers Are Saying About Moon Pals
Moon Pals has hundreds of glowing reviews on their website from happy customers of all ages. Here are a few highlights:
"I got a Moon Pal for my daughter who struggles with anxiety and insomnia. She absolutely loves her stuffed animal (Mylo) and sleeps with it every night. It‘s really helped her relax and fall asleep faster. Worth every penny!" – Sarah L.
"As someone with ADHD, I find it really helpful to have something weighted to hold or hug when I‘m feeling distracted or restless. My Moon Pal keeps me calm and focused while I work. I also just love the cute, huggable design!" – Jenna S.
"I bought Bo for my wife who has PTSD. She finds it so comforting to hug her Moon Pal when she feels triggered or anxious. It grounds her and makes her feel safe. Such a great alternative to medication. Love these!" – Robert T.
On the Moon Pals Facebook page, they have a near-perfect rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from over 100 reviews. Customers rave about the high quality, appealing designs, fast shipping, and most importantly – the positive impact on sleep and relaxation.
The few complaints seem to be from customers who found the price a bit high or wanted more size/weight options. However, the vast majority of buyers felt Moon Pals were totally worth the cost for the benefits they provided.
Pros and Cons of Moon Pals
To sum up the main points about Moon Pals, here are some key pros and cons to consider:
Pros of Moon Pals:
– Provides calming weighted pressure to help with sleep, anxiety, and focus
– Adorable, ultra-soft, and huggable designs
– Durable and machine-washable
– Available in 4 fun character options each with their own storybook
– Helpful for a wide range of ages and needs
– Overwhelmingly positive customer reviews
– Free shipping and discounts available
Potential Cons of Moon Pals:
– On the pricier side at $60-$95 each (look for sales/bundles!)
– Not recommended for children under 3
– 5 lb weight may be too heavy for some
– No customization options for size/weight
– Only available online, can‘t try before buying
Overall, if you‘re looking for a high-quality weighted stuffed animal to help with relaxation, anxiety, focus, or simply a great cuddle buddy, I believe the pros of Moon Pals far outweigh any cons. They have so many glowing reviews for a reason!
How to Buy Moon Pals + Promotions & Discounts
If you‘re interested in trying Moon Pals for yourself or a loved one, the only place to buy them is directly from the official Moon Pals website at moonpals.com. Moon Pals are not sold in stores or at other online retailers currently.
Moon Pals offers free standard shipping on all US orders, which is awesome! They ship via USPS or FedEx from their warehouse on the East coast. You can expect your order to arrive in about a week or less in most cases.
One downside is that Moon Pals does not accept returns, only exchanges if the product is defective. This is for sanitary reasons. However, they seem to have a responsive customer service team if any issues arise.
Now, let‘s talk Moon Pals promotions! The brand offers several ways to save on your Moon Pals purchase:
- Check the homepage banner and pop-ups for limited time sales (like 30-40% off)
- Get a discount for buying more than one Moon Pal (up to 25% off!)
- Refer a friend and when they buy, you both get $10 off
- Sign up for the email list for a one-time discount code
- Get free shipping automatically applied to US orders
- Special discounts for bulk/wholesale orders
Moon Pals also has some cute accessories to go with your new plush pal, like t-shirts and the storybooks that feature each character‘s unique personality and adventures. Each Moon Pal comes with a storybook for free, which is a sweet added bonus!
My Personal Experience with Moon Pals
Finally, I wanted to share my own experience with Moon Pals and how they‘ve helped me. I purchased one of each character (I couldn‘t resist, they‘re all so cute!) but I was most drawn to Opal. As a creative type who struggles with anxiety and restless sleep, her imaginative and hopeful spirit really resonated with me.
The first thing I noticed when my Moon Pals arrived was just how incredibly soft and cuddly they are! The velboa fabric feels like a dream and I couldn‘t stop rubbing my cheek against it. Opal was definitely the perfect weight for me to hug tight and feel that calming pressure.
I keep Opal on my bed and I‘ve gotten in the habit of snuggling up with her each night as I wind down. I‘ll hug her as I meditate or read, which really helps me relax and get in sleep mode. If I wake up anxious in the night, hugging my Moon Pal soothes me back to sleep quickly.
When I‘m feeling stressed during the day, I‘ll often take a 5 minute break to sit and hug my Moon Pal, taking some deep breaths. This short ritual makes a noticeable difference in easing my anxiety and helping me refocus. It‘s become an important part of my self-care toolkit.
I also love the storybook that came with my Moon Pal. The stories are lighthearted and sweet, with good messages about being true to yourself. It‘s a joy to read Opal‘s tale and makes me feel even more connected to my new stuffed pal. Such a nice extra touch that adds to the magic of Moon Pals!
Moon Pals Review: The Final Verdict
So, what‘s the final verdict on Moon Pals? After trying them myself and thoroughly researching the brand, I can confidently say that Moon Pals are absolutely worth the hype (and price tag)! These weighted stuffed animals are thoughtfully designed with mental wellness in mind and make a real difference for so many people.
While weighted blankets have gained a lot of buzz in recent years for their anxiety and sleep benefits, Moon Pals take that concept to the next level with a fun, engaging, and huggable design that‘s appealing to all ages. Plus, the weight and pressure are strategically positioned to be most effective for calming.
With thousands of glowing reviews, adorable character options, super soft and durable materials, and helpful extras like the storybooks, it‘s hard to find a real downside to Moon Pals. The main barriers would be the cost and inability to try before buying. However, promotions are often available and the brand‘s stellar reputation eases the risk.
Whether you‘re seeking better sleep, anxiety relief, help with disorders like ADHD or autism, or simply a source of comfort and calm, a Moon Pal is a wonderful option. I also think they make a thoughtful gift for both kids and adults (imagine the sweet bonding of reading the storybooks together at bedtime!)
I hope this in-depth Moon Pals review has given you all the details you need to make an informed decision. No matter which character you choose, I have no doubt a Moon Pal will quickly become a cherished companion. Here‘s to more peaceful, cuddly, and restful days ahead!
