Kids change fast. The gap-toothed grin, the favorite superhero cape, the way they hug a stuffed bunny everywhere they go: one year it is all there, and the next year it is a memory on your phone. A custom bobblehead made from your child's photo turns one of those moments into something you can hold, put on a shelf, and keep for decades.
At I am bobblehead, every figure is hand-sculpted in polymer clay from the photos you send. In this guide we cover why a clay bobblehead of your child makes such a meaningful keepsake, the best occasions to give one, how to take photos that capture your little one's personality, and what it costs.
Why a Clay Bobblehead Makes a Perfect Childhood Keepsake
Photos live in albums and phones. A three-dimensional figure lives in the room with you. A bobblehead captures the details that make a child who they are at this exact age: the haircut, the outfit they insisted on wearing, the toy they never let go of, even the pose they always strike for the camera.
Because each piece is sculpted by hand rather than printed from a template, our artists can work those small personal touches into the figure. You choose the outfit, the props, and the expression from your photos, so the result feels like your child, not a generic cartoon.
- It grows more precious over time. What feels cute today becomes a treasured snapshot of childhood in ten or twenty years.
- It is fun for kids, too. Many children love seeing a mini version of themselves, especially with a head that bobbles.
- It pairs well with family figures. You can order your child alone or add siblings, parents, grandparents, and pets in one set.
Best Occasions for a Custom Kids' Bobblehead
A child's bobblehead works for almost any milestone, but these are the moments families most often want to remember:
- Birthdays. A figure of your child at five, eight, or twelve makes a lovely birthday tradition, especially if you order one every few years to see how they grow.
- First day of school or graduation. Recreate the backpack-and-uniform photo or the kindergarten cap and gown.
- Sports and hobbies. Soccer jersey, ballet tutu, karate belt, a guitar or a skateboard: the hobby your child is proud of right now is a great theme.
- Gifts for grandparents. Grandparents often treasure a figure of their grandchild more than any framed photo. It is a thoughtful Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, or Grandparents Day present.
- Holidays and Halloween costumes. That one-time costume your child adored can live on long after it no longer fits.
- A new baby or new sibling. Celebrate a growing family with a set that includes the big brother or sister alongside the newest arrival.
How to Take the Best Photos of Your Child
Great photos are the single most important part of a great bobblehead from a photo. Kids rarely sit still, so here are a few practical tips to get pictures our sculptors can work from:
- Get a clear face shot. Take a well-lit, high-resolution photo of your child looking toward the camera. Natural daylight near a window works better than flash.
- Add a full-body shot. We ask for both a face photo and a full-body photo, so we can match the outfit, proportions, and shoes.
- Capture a side angle if you can. A profile shot helps with hairstyles, ponytails, curls, and hats.
- Show the details that matter. If there is a special toy, a team logo, glasses, or a favorite pair of sneakers, send a close-up of it too.
- Make it a game. Ask your child to "show me your superhero pose" or "smile like you just found a cookie." You will often get the most natural expressions that way.
- Use recent photos. Children change quickly, so photos from the past few weeks give the most accurate result.
Not sure your photos are good enough? Email them to us at business@youclay.com before you order and we will be happy to take a look.
Choosing the Size and Head Style
Our Fully Customizable Child's Bobblehead comes in three sizes, 15cm (Mini Style), 18cm (Classic Style), and 20cm (Golden Ratio), and two head styles. A bobble head sits on a spring and wobbles playfully, while a stationary head is fixed in place for a calmer, statue-like look.
For a figure that a younger child might pick up and play with, many parents like the stationary head. For a shelf or desk display, the bobble head adds a fun bit of movement.
Adding Siblings, Parents, and Pets
A kid's figure on its own is sweet, but it can be even more special as part of a set. We sculpt groups of up to 10 figures, and a pet counts as one figure, so the family dog or cat can join in too.
- Two kids together? Choose our Double Bobbleheads.
- Mom, dad, and child? Our Triple Bobbleheads are a popular choice.
- A bigger family with grandparents or pets? Browse our Family & Group Bobbleheads collection for sets of four to ten figures.
- Your child and their best furry friend? See our Pet Bobbleheads & Figurines.
How Much Does a Custom Kids' Bobblehead Cost?
Here are our current prices for the most popular options for children and families:
| Product | Stationary head | Bobble head |
|---|---|---|
| Child's Bobblehead, 15cm Mini | $119 | $129 |
| Child's Bobblehead, 18cm Classic | $129 | $139 |
| Child's Bobblehead, 20cm Golden Ratio | $139 | $149 |
| Double Bobbleheads (two figures) | from $179 | from $189 |
| Triple Bobbleheads (three figures) | from $239 | from $269 |
| Four Bobbleheads | $359 | $389 |
Prices for larger groups are listed on each product page in our family collection.
How Long Does It Take?
Every figure is made by hand, so please plan ahead, especially for birthdays and holidays. Production takes 7–15 workdays after your photos are confirmed. Normally the standard shipping time is 10-15 days, express shipping time is 5-7 days. We ship to more than 40 countries.
If you have a firm date in mind, such as a birthday party or Christmas morning, choose express shipping and order as early as you can. You can find more details on our FAQ page.
How to Order Your Child's Bobblehead
- Pick your product, size, and head style.
- Upload your child's clear face photo and full-body photo, and add notes about the outfit, pose, props, or any details you want included.
- Our artists hand-sculpt the figure in polymer clay.
- Your finished bobblehead is packed carefully and shipped to your door.
Keep This Moment Forever
Your child will only be this age once. A hand-sculpted custom kids' bobblehead is a playful, personal way to hold on to it, and a gift that parents and grandparents tend to keep for life.
Ready to start? Create your child's custom bobblehead now, or explore our family bobblehead sets to bring the whole crew together. Questions first? Email us anytime at business@youclay.com.