By Dovi Kutoff, Guest Blogger
As CEO of OrangeOnions, I’ve built my career as part of a team designing toys that bring comfort, creativity, and connection across generations. But long before patents, plush characters, and partnerships, it all began with one beloved object: My blankie.
For nearly 50 years, my blankie traveled with me—from childhood bedrooms to red-eye flights, through family milestones and global meetings. It wasn’t just my comfort—it was my cape, my tent, my magic carpet. And recently, I made the bittersweet decision to donate it to The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, NY, where its story continues as part of a museum dedicated to the meaning of play.
The Red Wagon That Changed Everything
- A flying carpet
- A fort roof
- A ghost costume
- A cloak of invisibility
- And always, a source of comfort
It wasn’t just fabric. It was a blank canvas for imagination.
I was six years old. We were riding home after a joyful Passover celebration, my dad pulling my brother and me in our bright red Radio Flyer wagon, our blankies bundled on our laps. At some point, mine slipped out. It was run over in the street. I was devastated—until the next morning, when I picked it up, slipped my head through the hole, and transformed it into a superhero cape. From that day on, my blankie became whatever I needed it to be:
A Podcast, an Email, and a New Journey
Years later, I listened to an episode of The Playground Podcast, hosted by Christopher Byrne and the late Richard Gottlieb, both legends of the toy industry, where Christopher Bensch, VP of Collections at The Strong, shared that the museum had never acquired a real childhood blankie—despite its emotional legacy. That stuck with me. Three years later, I reached out to him:
“Chris, I’ve been contemplating this for a while, and now—three years since your podcast appearance—I’ve decided. I’m offering to donate my favorite childhood blankie to The Strong. It’s been my companion through every bedtime story, every journey, every dream.”
His response was warm and affirming:
“Reading your email this afternoon brought laughter and delight—the power of your blankie and its history made vividly present. You may have even given me the subject for an upcoming blog.”
“Wait… You’re Giving That Away?”—My Kids React
When I told my kids, their reaction was a mix of disbelief, affection, and bewilderment.
“You’re giving that away? To a museum? Who would even want your old, ripped-up blankie?”
I laughed, but deep down I knew: it wasn’t about the appearance—it was about the story. The joy. The transformation. That blankie was my sidekick, my safe place, and my creative launchpad. The chance to embarrass them was just the icing on the cake.
A Visit to The Strong I’ll Never Forget
When I arrived to deliver my blankie, I was welcomed by Christopher Bensch, who gave me and my son an unforgettable private tour of the museum’s vault. Inside were treasures from across toy history—prototype action figures, classic arcade machines, vintage dolls, and iconic board games.
But what stood out most was Chris’s storytelling. He didn’t just show us objects—he shared their emotional and cultural meaning. His warmth, insight, and passion left a lasting impression. I’ve spent decades in this industry, and I can say without hesitation: he’s one of the most fascinating people I’ve ever met.
Afterward, my son and I spent hours exploring the museum. We laughed, built, raced, played—and then made our way to Hasbro Game Park, where we completely lost track of time. From the bright, bold play structures to the larger-than-life Hasbro characters we’ve long admired, it was a celebration of childhood brought to life. We climbed, spun, slid, and marveled at how the lines between toy and imagination could disappear so joyfully. It was, without question, one of the highlights of our visit.
The Psychology of Play, and a Quote That Stuck with Me
In one exhibit hall, I paused to read a quote from a museum sign:
“There are many ways of playing, and every time we pursue one, we experience six basic psychological elements of play: anticipation, surprise, pleasure, understanding, strength, and poise.”
That blankie gave me every single one of those. And nearby, a quote from Fred Rogers stopped me in my tracks:
“When children pretend, they’re using their imaginations to move beyond the bounds of reality. A stick can be a magic wand. A sock can be a puppet. A small child can be a superhero.”
That small child was me. And thanks to that blankie, I believed I could be anything.
How It Inspired OrangeOnions
That belief is what led me to found OrangeOnions—a toy company built on the same spirit of creative transformation, emotional safety, and storytelling. Our first product lines were born from that same desire to combine comfort and character, just like my blankie once did.
- Blankie Besties are part plush, part blanket, and all heart—companions that provide emotional reassurance and spark imagination.
- Our patented Snugible are wearable plush friends that offer warmth, security, and a bit of whimsy—beloved by toddlers, seniors, and especially kidults, the growing audience of adults who embrace play for comfort and joy.
Through partnerships with legacy brands like Sesame Street, Hasbro, NASA, NASCAR, NCAA, and Monopoly, we create products that don’t just entertain—they connect. Across generations. Across cultures. Across memories.
The Most Rewarding Part
The most rewarding part of my job? It’s not the innovation or the retail milestones. It’s the moments when I see children truly enjoying the toys we’ve created—their faces lighting up, their hands gripping a character they instantly love. Many of those moments are captured in photos that grace the walls of our offices—reminders that our work has meaning. But nothing compares to seeing my own children and grandchildren find joy in the very products that were born from my blankie’s legacy. Watching them snuggle a Snugible, or imagine wild stories with a Blankie Bestie, brings it all full circle.
A Legacy of Play
Donating my blankie wasn’t saying goodbye—it was passing something forward. It was an invitation for others to dream, to play, and to believe in the quiet magic of ordinary things.
I grew up in a loving, warm home where imagination was encouraged, storytelling was second nature, and my blankie was as much a part of my family as any toy or tradition. That nurturing environment shaped who I became—and taught me that play isn’t just about fun. It’s about connection, creativity, and courage. To children building forts in the living room, to parents creating safe spaces for wonder, to grandparents reliving childhood through their grandchildren: never underestimate the power of play.
A torn blanket became my superhero cape. That cape inspired a company. That company became my life’s work. And through it all, I’ve learned that play has no expiration date. It transcends age, era, and background. It teaches us who we are—and who we can become.
This journey has been the joy of a lifetime. And my hope is that my blankie, now resting at The Strong, will continue to spark dreams, comfort hearts, and remind people of every generation: sometimes, the most powerful things in life begin with play. It all began with a blanket.