Teddy Bear Picnic Day - Bask on a blanket in the glorious outdoors with your or your kids’ best stuffed pals.

Teddy Bear Picnic Day 2024 – July 10, 2024

Teddy Bear Picnic Day is celebrated on July 10 every year. Almost every individual has had a teddy bear stuffed toy in their lifetime. They have been loyal companions throughout our childhood. This unofficial holiday is largely celebrated in Canada, the United States, Australia, and some parts of Europe. With this holiday being in the summer (in the northern hemisphere), it’s the perfect occasion to step outdoors and have a picnic with your children and their adorable teddy bears.

History of Teddy Bear Picnic Day

The minute we hear the word teddy bear, it invokes a warm fuzzy feeling in our minds and hearts. The humble teddy bear has worn many hats since its inception, from being a cuddly playmate to a collector’s item. Though not many people know where the term ‘teddy bear’ or the concept of this stuffed toy even came from. It’s quite an interesting story, actually. It so happened that once during a hunting trip back in 1902, the then U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear that someone had tied to a tree. He stated that shooting it would be unsportsmanlike — and that’s how the story of ‘Teddy’s bear’ came about.That incentivized certain toymakers to make and sell bears with the name ‘Teddy Bear’ and since then they have become an integral part of people’s lives across the world and age groups. This creation is what led to the making of the song ‘The Teddy Bears’ Picnic’ in the 1900s. Initially, a melody was written for this song by John W. Bratton and, many years later, Jimmy Kennedy, an Irish songwriter, added the lyrics to the tune. This song has been loved and enjoyed by children and adults alike over the years.Owing to the immense popularity enjoyed by the song, Teddy Bear Picnic Day was created to give us a chance to celebrate the simple and small pleasures of a picnic with these stuffed animals. Don’t forget to prep your teddy bears for this unique and fun holiday.

Teddy Bear Picnic Day timeline

1903
First Teddy Bear

Toymakers Morris Michtom in the U.S. and Richard Steiff under his aunt’s company in Germany make the first teddy bears.

1907
‘The Teddy Bears’ Picnic’

American composer John Walter Bratton creates a melody for the song ‘The Teddy Bears’ Picnic.’

1932
First Recording of the Teddy Bear Song

BBC makes a high-quality recording of the ‘Teddy Bear’ song written by Henry Hall.

1989
Short Film

A short film “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic” is released, which features two teddy bears attending a picnic.

Teddy Bear Picnic Day FAQs

What to do at a teddy bears picnic?

You can indulge in several activities on Teddy Bear Picnic Day such as teddy bear face painting, making a teddy bear’s picnic basket, and preparing some goodies for the teddy bears, etc. 

What do you bring to a teddy bear picnic?

You can bring a host of things to a teddy bear picnic like picnic pillows, tiny teddy cupcakes, honey scones, patchy bear bikkies, and teddy bread. 

Why do we celebrate Teddy Bear Picnic?

Teddy Bear Picnic Day is just a fun holiday that encourages creativity among children by taking them out for a whimsical picnic in the outdoors with their teddy bears.

How To Celebrate Teddy Bear Picnic Day

  1. Host a teddy bear picnic

    This day is a perfect chance to host an outdoor picnic in a nearby park or your backyard. You can include a few games that children can play at the picnic that involves the use of teddy bears. You can have a treasure hunt that leads to a hidden teddy bear. Make sure to pack a basket of yummy teddy bear cupcakes and other snacks and beverages to enjoy!

  2. Listen to ‘The Teddy Bears’ Picnic’ song

    If you haven’t heard the song before, or even if you have, you can use this day to blast up the speakers and listen to ‘The Teddy Bears’ Picnic’ song. Moreover, many different artists have recorded versions of this song over the years.

  3. Donate your old teddy bears to an orphanage

    While most of us have had a teddy bear bought for or gifted to us in our childhood years, some kids aren’t that lucky. Use this day to donate your old teddy bears or even new ones to an orphanage and bring a smile to the faces of several children.

5 Fun Facts About Teddy Bears

  1. Smallest stitched teddy bear

    A South African artist Cheryl Moss created the world’s smallest stitched teddy bear measuring only 0.35 inches tall.

  2. Largest stitched teddy bear

    The U.S. is home to the world’s largest stitched teddy bear, measuring 55 feet.

  3. Arctophile

    ‘Arctophile’ is the official term used to describe people who are teddy bear collectors.

  4. Guinness World Record for the largest collection

    Jackie Miley, hailing from the U.S., holds the world record for the largest collection of teddy bears — 8,026 of them.

  5. ‘The Teddy Bear Two Step’

    ‘The Teddy Bear Two Step’ was the original name of ‘The Teddy Bears’ Picnic’ song.

Why We Love Teddy Bear Picnic Day

  1. Teddy bears are amazingly adorable

    Who does not like the adorable stuffed teddy bear? They come in so many different colors and sizes that appeal to everyone’s tastes. There are even life-size teddy bears. They’re adorable and make great cuddle buddies.

  2. It stimulates the imagination

    A teddy bear picnic is whimsical and allows children to get lost in their imagination. They learn how to make conversations and appreciate the outdoors. It can be an extremely mentally stimulating and engaging activity.

  3. It celebrates a beloved song

    Teddy Bear Picnic Day is actually based on a song by the same name. It allows us to appreciate the song that gave birth to a joyful holiday.

Teddy Bear Picnic Day dates

Year Date Day
2023 July 10 Monday
2024 July 10 Wednesday
2025 July 10 Thursday
2026 July 10 Friday
2027 July 10 Saturday