The reversible mood octopus kids love
Happy side out on a good day, grumpy side out when things are hard. This little crocheted octopus flips inside out to show how you feel — and it is a surprisingly brilliant way to help kids talk about emotions.
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At a glance
BestsellerReversible Mood Octopus
by TentacleTalesCo on Etsy · Ships from Spain
- 12 cm across
- Milk cotton yarn
- Ages 3+
- Ships in 1–3 days
From ~€21 at time of writing
View on Etsy (opens Etsy in a new tab)Affiliate link · Price last checked 5 Oct 2026
In this post
Why we love it
Reversible octopuses went viral a few years ago, and most of the versions you find now are machine-made. This one is crocheted by hand in soft milk cotton, with two colours worked together so the "flip" is smooth and the faces line up perfectly.
Child therapists and teachers love them as feelings tools: kids who struggle to say "I am upset" can simply turn the octopus to its grumpy side. It is a small thing that starts big conversations.
Photos: TentacleTalesCo on Etsy.
At 12 cm across it fits in a coat pocket or a school bag — which matters, because this is a toy that tends to go everywhere.
Size, materials & care
Here's everything we checked on the listing and confirmed with the maker:
| Size | 12 cm (4.7 in) across, tentacles out |
|---|---|
| Yarn | Milk cotton blend |
| Stuffing | Polyester fibre |
| Eyes | Safety eyes on both sides |
| Colour pairs | Pink/teal, yellow/grey, lilac/mint and more |
| Care | Hand-wash cool, reshape and dry flat |
Milk cotton is a soft cotton–acrylic blend with a slight sheen. It feels lovely and keeps its colour well, though it is not as durable as pure cotton for very rough play.
Who it's perfect for
- Kids aged 3+ who are learning to name their feelings.
- Teachers and therapists building a calm-corner kit.
- Stocking stuffers at a price that is easy on the budget.
- Teens and adults who want a funny desk mood signal.
The good & what's worth knowing
Why we love it
- Hand-crocheted, not machine-made
- Great tool for talking about feelings
- Pocket-sized and affordable
- Dozens of colour pairs
Worth knowing
- Safety eyes — not for under-3s
- Milk cotton can fuzz with heavy use
- Popular colours sell out fast
From ~€21 · Ships from Spain
Meet the maker
TentacleTalesCo
Valencia, Spain · On Etsy since 2021
A one-woman shop by a former primary teacher who started making mood octopuses for her own classroom. She now ships them to schools all over Europe.
"The best thing a toy can do is help a child say something they could not say before."
— The maker, TentacleTalesCo
Similar finds you'll love
Not quite the one? These handmade friends are just as cuddly — or browse all our amigurumi finds.
Frequently asked questions
How does a reversible octopus work?
It is made of two crocheted halves in different colours, joined at the tentacles. Turning it inside out flips it from one face to the other.
Is it suitable for toddlers?
This version has plastic safety eyes, so it is listed for ages 3+. The maker can make one with embroidered eyes on request.
Can I pick the colours?
Yes, the shop offers more than a dozen colour pairs and takes custom combinations.
How do I clean it?
Hand-wash in cool water, squeeze gently, reshape and leave to dry flat away from direct heat.
The bottom line
It is small, affordable and genuinely useful — a toy that helps kids put feelings into words. For under €25 it is one of the best handmade gifts we have found this year.
Affiliate link · From ~€21 at time of writing
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