National Teddy Bears’ Picnics

1. Firstly decide where you are going to hold it. Some Teddy Bears hold their picnics in the woods but many opt for parks, gardens, and beaches. The Teddy Bears that live in towns and cities may have theirs on balconies, yards, and even indoors on a blanket if the weather isn’t very nice. Younger bears have been known to hold theirs at school, with older bears preferring to have theirs with colleagues in their place of work. It just goes to show that your Teddy Bears’ Picnic can be held virtually anywhere.

2. Set the date and time. Teddy Bear Picnic Week 2024 runs from July 8th – 14th so there are lots of options. National Teddy Bears’ Picnic Day is July 10th.

3. Consider who you are inviting. If you are planning on walking first remember older people might not be able to walk too far.

4. Decide what you are going to eat and drink and who is providing it. Perhaps everyone attending could contribute.

5. Remember you need something to sit on. Most Teddy Bears prefer blankets. Make sure if you bring blankets that you take into consideration how many people are coming and that they will need enough space to eat, drink, and stretch their legs.

6. Check the weather first. Don’t get caught in the rain. If the weather looks wet, why not hold your picnic inside your home.

7. Teddy Bears love to decorate their picnics. They often use bunting and balloons, cushions and teddy bear themed items. It’s quite easy to make bunting and there are several guides about how to make it in the shape of teddy bears online.

8. Always encourage guests to bring their teddy bear or stuffed animal to the picnic. This is their special day as well and it makes photographs of your picnic much more fun.

9. If you can afford to please remember the many children who don’t get the chance to go on picnics or days out and ask everyone attending your picnic to contribute to a fun day out for them via the Giving Tree, Fun and Happiness Shop. Or why not buy them a teddy bear of their own from the options shown.

10. If you are a school, you could ask your teacher to allow you to wear what you like to school on National Teddy Bears’ Picnic Day in return for donating £2. When all the donations are counted you could all decide what Fun Day Out to buy a child from the Giving Tree, Fun and Happiness Shop.

Teddy Bear Hide and Seek

Hide teddy bears, stuffed animals, or cardboard cut-outs of teddy bears, around the area where you are holding your picnic and have children search for them. The one with the most wins a prize.

Teddy Olympics

Hold events like skipping, hula-hooping, and throwing and catching a ball whilst holding a teddy bear. It’s not as easy as you might think.

Pin the bow on the Teddy

Draw a large teddy bear on a big piece of paper or board. Cut out a bow tie from cardboard and put a drawing pin through the middle of it. Blindfold the children, spin them around, and then ask them to try to pin the bow onto the teddy bear’s collar. Whoever is the closest wins a prize.

Read the book, Bear Force

Ask and adult or an older child to read the book Bear Force and then all sign up to become Bear Buddies. If you haven’t got the book you can still become a Bear Buddy and download your certificate by agreeing to speak to a trusted adult if you are feeling worried or sad, or if see another child who you think maybe worried or sad too. Go to the Bear Force Buddies page to see how. Remember it’s important to talk about what’s on your mind that is worrying you and it’s important to look out for other children too. That’s what all Teddy Bears do.