why do they throw stuffed animals in ice skating ~~

Fans throw stuffed animals onto the ice at figure skating events as a way to show appreciation and celebrate a skater’s performance, and because plush toys are a safe, practical replacement for older traditions like throwing flowers.

How the tradition started

Historically, fans used to hand skaters gifts or toss flowers onto the ice after a performance as a sign of admiration. Over time, this caused long clean‑up delays and left messy petals and stems on the ice, which wasn’t great for safety or scheduling.

After the 9/11 attacks and related anthrax scares, U.S. Figure Skating formally banned flowers in 2001 because loose plant material could, in theory, hide dangerous substances. Once flowers were out, arenas and organizers leaned into stuffed animals as the cleaner, more controlled option fans could still throw.

Why stuffed animals specifically?

Stuffed animals solve a few practical problems at once:

• They are soft, so they don’t damage the ice or risk injuring skaters when tossed.

• They don’t shed petals, water, or dirt, making clean‑up fast and simple.

• Kids known as “sweepers” can quickly skate out, collect the toys, and clear the rink between programs, keeping events on schedule.

On top of that, plush toys can be more personal than flowers. Fans often pick characters or colors connected to a skater—like the famous Winnie‑the‑Pooh avalanche whenever Yuzuru Hanyu skates, which started after he was seen with a Pooh‑themed tissue box.

What happens to all those toys?

Skaters sometimes keep especially meaningful gifts, like unique or custom plushies that match their costumes or programs. But big stars receive far more toys than they can ever take home, so many donate them in bulk to children’s hospitals and other charities, turning a fan tradition into something that also benefits local communities.

Some athletes, such as Hanyu, are known for consistently donating almost all of the stuffed animals they receive. That’s part of why audiences feel good about tossing so many—there’s a sense the toys are heading for a second life beyond the rink.

Do skaters actually like it?

Reactions are mixed, but generally positive:

• Many skaters see the toys as a visible, fun show of support from the crowd.

• Some appreciate the charity aspect more than the objects themselves.

• Critics argue that showering elite athletes with plushies can feel a bit infantilizing, especially for older teens and adults who already struggle to be viewed as serious professionals.

Still, among fans and most competitors, the plush‑toss has settled into a recognizable part of figure skating culture, especially at big international events.

Related “stuffed animal on ice” trends

A similar idea appears in hockey with “teddy bear toss” nights, where fans intentionally throw stuffed animals onto the ice after a goal, but there the toys are collected and donated directly to charities rather than given to players. Figure skating’s version is more about the skater–fan relationship, with charity as a major, but secondary, benefit.

TL;DR: People throw stuffed animals in figure skating because flowers were banned and too messy, plush toys are safe and quick to clear, they’re a personal way to cheer for skaters, and most of those mountains of toys end up donated to charity.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.