"A teddy bear does not depend on mechanics to give him the semblance of life. He is loved — and therefore, he lives." ~ Pam Brown
Nearly every child and grownup I know can tell a story about a beloved stuffed animal, and the most common type might be the teddy bear.
As the story goes, President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was invited on a hunting trip in 1902. His hosts led him to the target: a tied-up bear cub. President Roosevelt refused to shoot the defenseless bear, considering it unsportsmanlike. This act of compassion was widely publicized in newspapers and depicted in a political cartoon.
A toy store owner in Brooklyn was inspired by the cartoon. His wife sewed the first stuffed bear, and they displayed it in the store window with a sign that read "Teddy's Bear." The bear became an instant sensation, and its popularity continues well over a century later!
September 9 is National Teddy Bear Day... a day dedicated to the beloved stuffed toy that holds a special place in the hearts of many people. We have five fun ways to help you celebrate today — or any day you want a little extra comfort and companionship.
1. Start with a giggle.
Let's paws for a moment to enjoy this un-bear-ably cute joke!
Q. Why did the teddy bear say "no" to dessert?
A. Because it was already stuffed!
2. Eat something bear-y delicious.
Start the day with a bear-themed breakfast. Spread some peanut butter on a slice of toast, and use banana slices and raisins to create the face. Serve it with the rest of the banana and a glass of milk.
For lunch or dinner, dine at one of these restaurants:
- Black Bear Diner in Aurora or Colorado Springs
- Hungry Bear in Woodland Park
- Little Bear Saloon in Evergreen
- Mister Oso in RiNo and Wash Park and Osito in Arvada
- Señor Bear in Denver
3. Plan an adventure.
Colorado is home to an estimated 16,000 black bears. However, that's just the name of the species, not the color. Black bears can be black, brown, cinnamon, or even blonde!
Because they are so abundant here, there are plenty of fun places to visit with "bear" in the name. Have a fun family day at:
- Bear Canyon
- Bear Creek Park
- Bear Creek Lake Park
- Build-A-Bear Workshop at Park Meadows Mall
- "I See What You Mean" (the Big Blue Bear in downtown Denver)
- Lair o' the Bear Park
4. Donate new teddy bears.
Every year, CBS Colorado, KOSI 101.1, and local hospitals team up for the Teddy Bear Patrol, an annual to collect new stuffed animals to give to children facing a medical crisis. Some of the stuffed animals are distributed to first responders, who can give them to children at the site of an accident or other medical emergency.
Although this year's drive is over, many organizations are delighted to receive these donations anytime. Next time you are shopping for toys for your own family, consider purchasing a new stuffed animal or two to donate to your local fire station or hospital.
5. Snuggle up with a book.
There are many wonderful teddy bear-themed books for kids that celebrate the joy of these cuddly companions. Here are some classic and popular book series that are fun to read as a family. Click any linked title to borrow a book in the series from Englewood Library.
Your favorite stuffed friend would probably enjoy being part of reading time too!
- Bear series by Karma Wilson
- The Berenstain Bears series by Stan and Jan Berenstain
- Corduroy and A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman
- Paddington by Michael Bond (great movies too!)
- Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne
