Picnicking with Teddy Bears
2020 just keeps on testing us. We’re all feeling restless, we’re all feeling bored, and we’re all feeling a bit cooped up. Kids can easily feel frustrated when the world seems confusing, and it can be hard for them to look beyond themselves and think about others when their interactions with others are so very limited. Time to call in The Teddies. Have some fun with your child using the premise that if they are feeling cooped up, it’s probable that their toys are feeling exactly the same way.
A Teddy Bears Picnic can be a simple way to brighten your child’s day.
Teddy Bears’ Picnics were inspired by a very quirky song written way back at the beginning of last century with lyrics detailing how cheeky teddies sneak off to the woods to gaily gad about, play wonderful games and eat marvelous foods. How fun! I’ve included the lyrics below so you can see just exactly what those cheeky bears have been getting up to.
Teddy Bears’ Picnic Day is celebrated annually on July 10 and although I had a scoot around the internet to find out why that particular date was chosen I came up none the wiser. It’s clearly in the middle of a northern hemisphere summer, and so for Australians, it seems a little misplaced. Therefore I reckon we can celebrate Teddy Bears’ Picnics anytime, anywhere, any day… especially now when many days have a heavy fug of sameness, and a bright and happy distraction can be a real boost.
Create a picnic spot by spreading out a picnic rug, blanket, sheet, or tablecloth. This may be in the backyard or just somewhere indoors. You might even create a cave by draping a sheet over a table, or strung between chairs or over a clothes rack. It’s fun to use sheets or fabrics that the kids aren’t familiar with and might be surprised by, and to scatter a couple of pillows or cushions around too.
Round up some guests… that is, an armful or two of VIP teddies, or just any soft toys you may have.
Do you have some picture books with teddy bear stories? Choose some together that you think teddies may enjoy and pop them in a basket in the middle of the picnic.
Catering for this picnic can be fancy, simple, or even imaginary. It’s a great time to use a play tea-set if you have one. You may simply choose to add special twists to everyday food and serve it on crockery that’s not the everyday variety. Even a regular sandwich takes on a different spin if cut with cookie cutters, or rolled up and sliced into pinwheels. Offer snacks in a paper bag or on bowls/plates that are not the ones used every day. Cut some fruit in different shapes… for example, if you normally offer apple wedges, offer apple slices.
Find some teddy bear theme music. If you search up Teddy Bears Picnic on Spotify you’ll find lots of soundtracks, and I even found an entire playlist.
When it's time to wrap the picnic up suggest that it’s nap or bedtime for those tired little teddy bears. It may help if you recruit the children to help put their tired teddies to bed!
Even the very simplest homespun version of a Teddy Bears’ Picnic offers a lovely opportunity for imaginative play, and we know this kind of play is not only great fun but has countless benefits for children. Many children find imaginary play quite absorbing, chattering away to teddies as they offer food, and then acting out and responding to the teddies’ reactions.
Children can use their interactions with picnicking teddies to test out their manners and practice turn-taking. They can ‘read’ stories to the teddies and describe pictures, suggest activities, and sing songs. And they can ask their teddies how they are feeling in these strange and cooped up days.
As always, take care and stay safe x
Teddy Bears Picnic
If you go down in the woods today
You're sure of a big surprise
If you go down in the woods today
You'd better go in disguise!
For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain
Because today's the day the
Teddy Bears have their picnic
Picnic time for Teddy Bears
The little Teddy Bears are having
A lovely time today
Watch them, catch them unawares
And see them picnic on their holiday
See them gaily gad about
They love to play and shout
They never have any cares
At six o'clock their Mommies and Daddies
Will take them home to bed
Because they're tired little Teddy Bears
Every Teddy Bear who's been good
Is sure of a treat today
There's lots of marvelous things to eat
And wonderful games to play
Beneath the trees where nobody sees
They'll hide and seek as long as they please
'Cause that's the way the
Teddy Bears have their picnic
Picnic time for Teddy Bears
The little Teddy Bears are having
A lovely time today
Watch them, catch them unawares
And see them picnic on their holiday
See them gaily gad about
They love to play and shout
They never have any cares
At six o'clock their Mommies and Daddies
Will take them home to bed
Because they're tired little Teddy Bears
Because they're tired little Teddy Bears
