Mia Warner Remember that chattering, blinking, slightly unsettling toy that took the late ’90s by storm? The original Furby captured our hearts (and sometimes our nightmares) with its quirky personality and mysterious “Furbish” language. But something fascinating has happened in recent years – Furby has grown up. Literally. The Giant Furby phenomenon has emerged as one of the internet’s most delightfully bizarre trends, transforming a palm-sized electronic pet into an oversized art form that’s equal parts nostalgic, hilarious, and just a touch terrifying.
As someone who watched my own kids become obsessed with these creatures (and may have developed a slight obsession myself), I’ve been fascinated by how this toy has evolved from retail sensation to cultural icon. Let’s dive into the world of Giant Furby – where nostalgia meets creativity, and the results are anything but small.
The Original Furby: Where It All Began
The original 1998 Furby that started it all
When Hasbro released the first Furby in 1998, nobody could have predicted the cultural earthquake it would cause. These interactive pets spoke their own language, responded to touch, and seemed to develop their personality over time. Parents fought in toy store aisles during the holiday season, and kids treasured these fuzzy companions that appeared to learn and grow alongside them.
The original Furby stood just 6 inches tall – a far cry from the giant versions we see today. With their big eyes, moving ears, and chattering beaks, they were technological marvels for their time. They could sense light, respond to sound, and even “communicate” with other Furbies nearby. The toy sold over 40 million units in its first three years, cementing its place in pop culture history.
What made Furby special wasn’t just its technology – it was the emotional connection it created. These weren’t just toys; they were companions with personalities that seemed to evolve. This foundation of emotional attachment is precisely what has fueled the Giant Furby movement decades later.
Relive the Magic of the Original
Missing that nostalgic Furby feeling? Add an authentic vintage 1998 Furby to your collection or introduce a new generation to the magic.
The Giant Furby Trend: When Nostalgia Gets Supersized
A Giant Furby installation drawing crowds at an arts festival
Around 2018, something strange began happening on social media. Artists, crafters, and nostalgic millennials started creating oversized versions of the beloved ’90s toy. What began as a few viral posts quickly snowballed into a full-blown movement. These weren’t just slightly larger Furbies – we’re talking massive, life-sized creations that transform the cute into the comically absurd.
The trend seems to have emerged from the intersection of several cultural currents: ’90s nostalgia hitting its peak, the rise of maker culture and DIY crafting, and the internet’s love for the surreal and slightly unsettling. Giant Furbies check all these boxes perfectly.
These oversized creations range from meticulously crafted plush replicas to avant-garde art pieces that deconstruct and reimagine the Furby form. Some creators maintain the classic Furby proportions while scaling everything up, while others take creative liberties, elongating or distorting the familiar shape into something new and strange.
DIY Giant Furby made from repurposed materials
Why Go Giant?
The appeal of Giant Furbies lies in their perfect balance of nostalgia, humor, and slight discomfort. They’re conversation starters, art pieces, and sometimes even functional furniture. For many creators, the process of making a Giant Furby is as rewarding as the finished product – a creative challenge that connects them to childhood memories.
The internet has embraced these creations wholeheartedly. Hashtags like #GiantFurby and #LongFurby have millions of views across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit. Each new creation seems to push the boundaries of what a Furby can be.
Creating Your Own Giant Furby: DIY Projects
Materials and process for creating your own Giant Furby
The DIY Giant Furby community is incredibly creative and supportive. Makers share patterns, techniques, and tips online, making it possible for anyone with basic crafting skills to create their own oversized friend. The most common approach involves scaling up the original design using fabric, stuffing, and some creative problem-solving for the electronic components.
“Making my first Giant Furby was a three-week journey of laughter, frustration, and ultimately pride. Now he sits in my living room, judging all my life choices with those massive eyes.”
Basic Giant Furby Creation Steps:
- Create or find a scaled-up pattern based on the original Furby design
- Select fabrics that match the iconic Furby texture and colors
- Construct the basic body structure with firm support for the oversized shape
- Create the signature moving parts (beak, ears, eyelids) with mechanisms scaled to size
- Add electronics if desired – some creators include motion sensors, speakers, and LED eyes
- Finish with details like the Furby “feet” and distinctive facial features
A completed DIY Giant Furby becomes a unique home decor piece
Start Your Giant Furby Project
Ready to create your own oversized companion? Our DIY Giant Furby kit includes patterns, fabric recommendations, and step-by-step video tutorials.
Giant Furby in Internet Culture: Why So Popular?
Giant Furby memes and viral content across social platforms
The Giant Furby phenomenon isn’t just about crafting – it’s a perfect example of how internet culture transforms nostalgic objects into something new. These creations hit the sweet spot of being simultaneously familiar and strange, making them perfect viral content.
The uncanny valley effect plays a role here – Giant Furbies maintain the recognizable features of the original but at a scale that makes them slightly unsettling. This combination of cute and creepy has proven irresistible to social media audiences.
Why Giant Furbies Resonate Online:
Nostalgia Factor
For millennials who grew up with the original toy, Giant Furbies trigger powerful nostalgic connections while transforming childhood memories into something new and unexpected.
Absurdist Humor
The internet loves absurdity, and few things are more absurd than a five-foot-tall electronic pet with enormous eyes staring into your soul from across the room.
Creative Expression
Giant Furbies allow for endless creative variations, from “Long Furbies” that stretch several feet to themed creations based on pop culture characters.
Giant Furby art exhibition drawing crowds and engagement
The phenomenon has even caught the attention of mainstream media and marketing teams. In January 2025, shoe brand Heydude collaborated with Hasbro to create a promotional campaign featuring a massive “Furbzilla” stomping around London. The campaign, created by The Berry, showcased how the cultural impact of Giant Furby has grown beyond niche internet communities into mainstream advertising.
Real-World Giant Furby Examples
The “Eternal Furby” installation at Burning Man
Festival Installations
The “Eternal Furby” at Burning Man 2023 stood 12 feet tall with illuminated eyes that followed visitors. Created by artist collective DreamWeavers, it featured interactive elements that responded to movement and sound.
“Furby Reimagined” gallery exhibition
Gallery Exhibitions
The “Furby Reimagined” exhibition at the Modern Nostalgia Gallery in Portland featured works from 15 artists who created Giant and Long Furbies as commentary on childhood, technology, and consumer culture.
TikTok creator @FurbyKingdom with their collection
Viral Content Creators
TikTok creator @FurbyKingdom has amassed over 2 million followers by documenting their growing collection of Giant Furbies, each with unique personalities and backstories that fans follow like characters in an ongoing story.
Share Your Giant Furby
Created your own Giant Furby or spotted one in the wild? Join our community and share your photos!
Where to Find Your Own Giant Furby
Not everyone has the time or crafting skills to create their own Giant Furby from scratch. Fortunately, there are several ways to bring one of these oversized icons into your life:
Custom Artist Commissions
Many artists specialize in creating high-quality Giant Furbies to order. These custom pieces can be tailored to your preferences in size, color, and features.
Price range: $300-$1,500 depending on size and complexity
Online Marketplaces
Platforms like Etsy feature a wide range of pre-made Giant Furbies from creators around the world, from simple plush versions to complex art pieces.
Price range: $100-$500 for most standard options
Limited Editions
Occasionally, artists release limited edition Giant Furbies with special themes or features. These can become valuable collector’s items.
Price range: $200-$2,000 depending on rarity and artist
Giant Furby: The Cultural Icon That Keeps Growing
The ever-expanding world of Giant Furby creations
The Giant Furby phenomenon represents something uniquely modern – the transformation of mass-produced childhood nostalgia into personalized art and cultural commentary. What started as a quirky internet trend has evolved into a legitimate art form and community.
These oversized creations connect generations, spark conversations, and bring joy through their absurdity. Whether displayed in galleries, featured in advertising campaigns, or watching over your living room, Giant Furbies have secured their place in our cultural landscape.
As we’ve seen, the appeal crosses boundaries between art, craft, nostalgia, and humor. The community continues to grow, with new creators bringing fresh perspectives to what a Giant Furby can be. What began as a palm-sized electronic pet has literally and figuratively grown into something much bigger.
Join the Giant Furby Movement
Whether you’re a creator, collector, or just fascinated by the phenomenon, there’s a place for you in the Giant Furby community.
