Even if you’ve never heard of the Teddy Bear’s Picnic before, there is just something about putting “teddy bear” and “picnic” together that is delightful. Say “Teddy Bear Picnic” to a preschooler and you’ll see what I mean. There are always plenty of various stuffies in attendance, and it’s basically a “can’t miss” playdate or story time theme. If you’d like a “reason” for a Teddy Bear Picnic, September 9 or November 14, depending on where you look, are each designated as Teddy Bear Day.
(And, of course… don’t forget to bring your favorite Teddy Bear!)
Hands-on activites (Fingerplays and rhymes)
- Teddy Bear Picnic Lyrics
- Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Turn Around
- Going on a Bear Hunt (Once you’ve learned the song, you can hide a stuffed bear in the room and “go on a bear hunt.” Or cut out some of the printables and hide several, enough for each child to find one.)
- Play food and cloth napkins for the “picnic” (practice a Montessori-style place setting activity, or just allow the children free play)
- Teddy Bear Ball Drop (Target sells animal crackers in a giant, bear shaped container. I emptied and washed it, and added six balls. Presto: Bear themed counting activity.)
Printables and Crafts
- Story printable
- Printable mask
- Teddy Bear Match Up
- Teddy Bear Mini Book Printable
- Bear Crafts
- Bear coloring pages
Book List
- Paddington Bear
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear what do you see?
- Going on a Bear Hunt
- Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do you Hear?
- Orange, Pear, Apple, Bear
- The Three Bears
Around the Web
- Story Time Katie 2010
- Story Time Katie 2011
- Bear songs from Perpetual Preschool
- Teddy Bear Day from A Kid’s Heart
What about you? Do you have ideas to contribute to this theme? Have you tried some of the activities above? We’d love to hear your feedback. Just put it in the comment box down there!
Do you have another awesome playdate idea to share? Submit it! We love hearing from you!
