Cuddle and soothe

I love the idea behind these little critters. And anything that can handle more than one job at a time is perfect for people who travel with little kids.

December 28, 2008
Gearing Up

Cuddly Space Savers
By Lylah M. Alphonse, Globe Staff

My preschooler and toddler like to lug their favorite stuffed animals with them when we travel. In the spirit of space-saving, I started to wonder how I could make their stuffed bunnies and puppies do double duty (a travel pillow? a lumbar support?). But the folks at Warm Whiskers beat me to it. Their sweet little Pocket Critters can be zapped in a microwave for 30 seconds and then used as a hand warmer, or chilled in the freezer for 10 minutes to soothe bumps and boo-boos. The 4 1/2-inch-tall plush animals are filled with flaxseed, chamomile, and lavender, so they smell lovely (and just might help lull your little one into a nap while in transit). They cost $12 each and come in five styles online at http://www.warmwhiskers.com/ or call 800-233-0201. [More]