Most children love teddy bears and why not? Bears are soft and cuddly. Kids like to hug them, hold them, and drag them around everywhere. Toddlers use them like a security blanket and older children dress them and star them in plays and adventures.

A party using the bear motif is perfect for any aged child up to about eight. The bear is the star and shares the spotlight with the birthday boy or girl. It is the bear's birthday also. Children enjoy using the bear as a way to project their own personality. Each guest will bring their own bear to the party.

Decorations are those of childhood colors, usually pastels or primary colors of red, blue, and yellow. Bear decorations and birthday cakes are used to keep the theme going. Your bears can be varied from Pooh, to the Pendelton Bear and everything in between. Either a small table with children's chairs is used for the bears or a place is made for each guest with their own bear next to them at a larger table. Set the tables with dishes and hats and noisemakers for each guest and the bears.

This party is great for groups of up to six unless you have lots of help. Any party with very young children needs moms to attend to help or volunteers you enlisted for the event.

Food should be pretty, party food. With an emphasis on the fairy tale look that accompanies daintily decorated cakes, sandwiches, candies etc. Small portions for tiny kids, is the rule. Easy pick up types of snacks make less mess and trouble than foods requiring silverware. Of course Birthday Cake is a must, decorated with miniature bears or traditionally, and cut into very small pieces.

Parties for this age group should always have 'goodie bags' or favors to take home. Children of this age relive their party experience by taking things home and telling brothers and sisters or their daddies about the event.

Activities should include dressing up bears and a Bear Parade. Each child chooses from the large pile of clothing you provide and dresses his or her bear to get it ready for the parade. Keep items simple unless adults help the kids. When they are all dressed up, line children up for a parade. Each child marches around in a circle to marching band music and holds their bear up for judges to see. Pick enough categories so each bear wins something. Best dressed, funniest outfit, largest bear, etc. Prizes for games could be an accessory for the bear or possibly a book, coloring book and crayons, stickers, or puzzles featuring bears for the guests.

A talent show featuring the bear opens up a whole opportunity for kids to perform without so much self consciousness since it is the bear who dances, sings, or juggles not them. If the bear does well, they can take the bow and if the bear does poorly, that silly bear just isn't too good at dancing.

Giving the teddies a wagon ride or putting them down the slide or on the swing can be part of the party plans. Each guest should be asked to tell something about his or her bear.

Every bear has a name and age, is a boy or girl, and some children know where it came from and who gave it to them. Prompting may be necessary. Note: If you can find out the name of the bear previous to the party, you can include his name on the envelope for the invitation. Invitations are especially important for little kids parties. Their moms can put the invitation on the refrigerator for them to see daily and anticipate. Add the date with a star to your calendar so your child can mark off the days till the big event. Half of life's pleasures are in the anticipation of upcoming fun.

Have a wonderful party and create memories for our children.

© Copyright 1999

Credits: Jo Ann Wentzel