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National Teddy Bear Day

Fun · Family · September 9

A day for the teddy bear, the soft stuffed toy that keeps watch on beds, shelves and car seats, and for the stories people attach to their own.

National Teddy Bear Day falls on Thursday, September 9, 2027. That is 317 days away.

Ask most adults where their first teddy bear is now and you will get a surprisingly detailed answer. It is in a closet, or it went to a younger cousin, or it sits on a shelf missing one eye and most of its fur. Few toys collect memories the way a teddy bear does, and this day is a chance to think about that.

The bears themselves vary a lot. Some are jointed so their arms and legs move, some are floppy and loose, and some are stiff enough to sit up on their own. Older ones were often made of mohair with stitched noses, while many modern bears use soft synthetic plush and embroidered eyes, which are safer for small children than buttons.

People mark the day in quiet, homemade ways. Kids bring a bear to the breakfast table or set up a picnic on the living room floor. Grown ups dig out an old bear and tell the story behind it. Some families donate new stuffed bears to places that hand them to children going through a hard moment.

A well loved bear usually shows it. Thin patches on the ears and a flattened belly are the marks of years of being carried, squeezed and slept on. A gentle wash by hand and a careful stitch or two can keep one going a good while longer.

Ways to celebrate

• Find your oldest teddy bear and tell someone its story.
• Host a teddy bear picnic on a blanket indoors or in the yard.
• Mend a loose seam or worn ear on a well loved bear.
• Donate a new stuffed bear to a local shelter or children's program.
• Read a bedtime story with a bear tucked in beside you.

Dates

All national days on September 9

Also on September 9

• National Steak au Poivre Day
• Wiener Schnitzel Day
• International Sudoku Day

Categories: Fun daysFamily days