TL;DR (Quick summary)

A small 3–5 lb weighted plush placed high on your chest/shoulder delivers a deeply soothing, grounded feel—like a larger lap animal, but without the bulk. For travel, choose low-profile shapes (lay flat) and a small footprint: sea turtles, stingrays, side-laying small dogs, ultra-soft small cats, plus fidget-friendly octopus or spider.

TL;DR (Quick summary)

Weight picks:  Kids 2–6 lb, lap/desk 4–8 lb, couch cuddles 8–12 lb (adults who like deep pressure can go up to 24 lb).

Safety:  Aim for grounding, not restrictive; kids must be able to move it themselves; remove for sleep.

Benefits of weighted animals:  Gentle, even pressure can feel calming, support focus, ease jitters, and make wind-down routines (homework, reading, bedtime prep) feel more settled. Everyone’s different—start light and notice what feels good.