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When you think about a teddy bear picnic, you usually think about children, right? Well, did you know that lots of nursing homes around the country celebrate this special day on July 10?
These are a few activities that I know your residents will enjoy. Please add your suggestions in the comment section!
Host a Show & Tell
I’m sure a lot of your residents have teddy bears they’ve owned for many years or even decades. Host a Show & Tell event and ask residents to share stories and memories about their bears.
If you have a childcare center in your facility, invite the kids to bring their teddy bears, too. The children will also love to join the residents in reading the classic book, The Teddy Bears’ Picnic.
Donate a teddy bear
Check with local hospitals or social services agencies to see if they need teddy bears to give to children who are going through difficult situations. Help your residents set up a fundraiser and see how many bears they can donate.
Enjoy a teddy bear picnic
You simply can’t celebrate this day without an old-fashioned picnic. Encourage your residents to plan the menu.
Better yet, residents can help prepare the food. You’ll find oodles of creative ideas on Pinterest. (Consider bear-shaped sandwiches, cookies, or cakes.) To make it even more fun, plan your menu around foods bears enjoy eating such as berries, honey, and nuts.
Share classic songs
I know many of your residents will remember these old-time songs about teddy bears. Here’s Bing Crosby singing “Teddy Bear Picnic”. Another classic favorite is “Fuzzy Wuzzy Wuz A Bear” performed by Rosemary & Betty Clooney. And who could forget Elvis Presley singing “Teddy Bear”.
Involve the staff
I always love to get the nursing home employees involved in special celebrations. Invite them to dress up as teddy bears or they can bring their favorite teddy bear to work.
Share teddy bear trivia
Do your residents know the history of teddy bears? Download this fun fact quiz to learn all sorts of fascinating information about teddy bears.
Be sure to check back on Thursday when we’ll look at ideas for celebrating National Moon Day on July 20. Now I would love to hear how you celebrate Teddy Bear Picnic Day!
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