What child doesn’t have a teddy bear which they cherish? So, why not make your child’s next birthday center around teddy bears? You can have a teddy bear picnic or a teddy bear tea with all their close friends. Both little boys and little girls own and enjoy teddy bears, so this theme would be appropriate for everyone!

On the invitations, make sure to invite not only their friends, but their friends’ teddy bears, as well! Everyone can share why this is their favorite teddy bear. Have a few extra teddy bears as decorations at your party. That way, if I child arrives without one, they can choose one of yours for the party. Set up a blanket, little chairs and a small table for the bears to sit at while the kids participate in the other crafts and activities.

At the beginning of the party, have the kids help you make one of the party snacks. Using a package of pre-cut sugar cookies, allow the guests to place teddy grahams around the edges of the cookie dough. You can decorate the cookies even more with sprinkles, if you like. After they are done cooking, leave them cool briefly and then let the kids finish them off with a bit of icing. Makes a tasty treat at your teddy bear party!

To get your guests up and moving, you can do the popular action rhyme “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear”:
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn around.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the ground.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, tie your shoe.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, what to do?
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, climb up the stairs.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, brush your hairs.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn out the light.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, say good-night!
With each line, just add the movements stated like turning around and touching the ground.

After some movement, have the kids sit in a circle to play the game “Hot Teddy Bear, Hot Teddy Bear”. While you play music, the children pass a teddy bear around the circle. When you turn the music off, the child holding the teddy bear is out for the rest of that game. Then you resume play.

If you want to go all out and give your guests a party they will surely remember, go to a local craft store and buy a teddy bear kit for every guest. They can all sit and make their own teddy bear to take home!

There are many popular children’s books that can be used at a teddy bear picnic. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin Jr., Corduroy by Don Freeman and The Little Bear Series by Elsa Holmelund Minarik are just a few. You can read the books or watch the movie versions.

Food at a teddy bear tea or picnic is easy. Bears love nuts and berries, so you can offer a wide variety of them to your guests. Teddy Grahams are a yummy snack food that you will have on hand from the sugar cookie activity. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut into bear shapes with a cookie cutter are a great tasting choice, too.

Party supplies of all kinds can be found with a bear theme. Plates, cups, decorations, napkins, birthday banners, balloons, invitations and thank you notes can be purchase at a party supply store near you or online. (Tip: when ordering online, leave plenty of time for shipping!) If you decide on having a tea party, be sure to include tablecloths and play tea cups to your supply needs!