National Bring Your Teddy Bear to School Day

National Bring Your Teddy Bear to School Day, observed on the second Wednesday in October, is a beloved, whimsical celebration that invites students (and often teachers) to bring their favorite teddy bears or stuffed companions to class.

History of National Bring Your Teddy Bear to School Day

The tradition behind this day is rooted in the nostalgic and comforting role that teddy bears play in people’s lives. The name “teddy bear” itself traces back to an incident in 1902, when U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a black bear that had been tied for him. A political cartoon of the moment inspired toy makers Morris and Rose Michtom to create a stuffed bear named “Teddy’s Bear,” and the toy caught on rapidly in American culture and beyond. Over time, teddy bears became symbols of companionship, comfort, and childhood.

The formal observance of bringing teddy bears to school (and sometimes work) on a particular day is a more recent, grassroots development. In the United States, it is known as National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work/School Day, held on the second Wednesday in October. The day is meant to encourage a touch of playfulness, nostalgia, and camaraderie in educational and professional settings. In 2025, it falls on October 8.

Why is National Bring Your Teddy Bear to School Day important?

On its surface, the day is lighthearted and playful — but it also carries deeper emotional value. For many children, a teddy bear is more than a toy: it’s a silent confidant, a source of security, and a constant companion through stress, transition, or loneliness. Having that familiar, comforting presence in the classroom can calm nerves, strengthen a child’s sense of continuity, and remind both students and teachers that learning environments are emotional spaces as much as intellectual ones.

Additionally, the observance fosters community, empathy, and shared stories. When students bring their bears and talk about them — how they got them, what they mean — it gives a window into their lives and helps build connections. In a world that often emphasizes tasks, exams, and performance, pausing to share a beloved stuffed friend is a small gesture of humanity and kindness.

Some of the reasons this day resonates:

• Because teddy bears carry personal stories and emotional weight
• Because sharing them sparks conversations and bonding
• Because the classroom becomes a little more personal, warm, and human
• Because bringing a childhood companion helps bridge past and present
• Because it reminds us all that comfort, security, and small joys matter

How to Celebrate National Bring Your Teddy Bear to School Day

Participating in the day is simple and fun. Students can bring their favorite teddy or stuffed animal to class and incorporate it into the school day. Teachers might allocate a few minutes for “show and tell” to let children introduce their bear, explain its importance, or share a story. In younger classes, teddy bears can accompany lessons — perhaps as reading buddies during story time or as quiet listeners during reflective writing.

Schools can make the day extra special with thematic activities: pair it with a teddy bear picnic during recess, organize a “bear parade” around the hallways, or host a writing prompt: If my teddy could talk, what would it say? For older students, the day might be adapted into more symbolic reflection: thinking about childhood, comfort, change, and memory. Teachers can also encourage students who might not own a teddy to borrow one or share a friend’s. The goal is inclusion, joy, and emotional connection.

Here are a few easy ideas to mark the day:

• Bring your favorite teddy bear or stuffed friend to class
• Introduce your bear and tell its story to classmates
• Have a teddy bear reading session or let the bear “listen” while you read
• Organize a small teddy bear parade or picnic at school
• Encourage sharing and empathy by asking students about their bears

National Bring Your Teddy Bear to School Day Dates Table