Regardless of upbringing, culture, or other differences, children worldwide love the comfort, safety, and companionship that teddy bears provide. Deemed as one of the most iconic toys in history, teddy bears are popular not only among youth, but romantic partners, families, and educators alike. With a heart-warming origin and a complex rise to fame, these cute little toys hide a century of changes underneath their fur. So, we had to ask: What is the most important information you need to know about this year’s National Teddy Bear Day?

👉 Official Name: National Teddy Bear Day
💚 Cause: Celebrate this much-loved classic childhood toy
📅 Next Date: September 9, 2025
🐦 Hashtags: #NationalTeddyBearDay, #GiftATeddyBear, #MyTeddyBear

Keep reading to find out all the important information about National Teddy Bear Day at a glance: its big picture, why it’s important, and how you can get involved. We’ll then share its brief history, three interesting facts about it, its future dates, and how you’ll never miss any important awareness event again.

The Most Important Information About National Teddy Bear Day at a Glance

1️⃣ The big picture: National Teddy Bear Day honors the history and significance of one of childhood’s most beloved toys. These soft, cuddly toys have played the role of comforter and best friend in the lives of many of us – and with many more to come – and this celebration raises awareness of this fact. It is an opportunity to relive our best memories with childhood teddy bears and give new ones to people we love. In addition, this event invites us to donate teddies or our support in general to children in need of comfort. 

2️⃣ Why it is important: Teddy bears are more than just cute toys; they play a very important role in a child’s emotional, social, and learning development across many stages of life. For one, children usually roleplay and read to their teddy bear, with studies showing that this improves learning motivation and reading and social confidence. Teddies also help children relax and get a good night’s sleep while taking the role of “transitional objects” that evoke a sense of peace, security, and ease when parents are absent. Moreover, as children feel the comfort the teddies provide, they are more likely to care for them in return, improving their empathy skills. 

3️⃣ How you can get involved: You can celebrate National Teddy Bear Day by fundraising for youth in need, gifting teddies, or joining thematic events:

1. Host a teddy bear fundraiser: Use this opportunity to host a teddy bear-themed fundraising event with your co-workers or your kids, where you can have fun with thematic sweets, crafts, and accessories, or even bring in teddy bears to sell. You can then use the money you gain to donate to vulnerable children in need of comfort or any other cause you love.
2. Gift cherished teddies: Partner with a charity or simply buy some teddy bears to offer to youth in schools, homeless shelters, or hospitals. You can also add some tags with heartwarming wishes and quotes on the teddies to ensure you bring ear-to-ear smiles from kids in need.
3. Join dedicated events: Depending on where you live, you can check if there are any local museums, festivals, picnics, kids’ parties, or other community events to join along with your family to enjoy this day to the fullest. 

A Brief History of National Teddy Bear Day

When was this event established: The history of National Teddy Bear Day goes back to the creation of the teddy bear itself, which, coincidentally, was based on a compassionate gesture, much like what this bear symbolizes today. In 1902, US President Theodore Roosevelt refused to kill an injured old bear out of empathy for the animal. Soon after, cartoonists wanted to capture the moment and drew the bear in a smaller, more innocent fashion than reality. It’s not known if it was coincidentally or inspired by this, but around the same time toymakers Richard Steiff in Germany and Morris Michtom in the US manufactured a small soft bear cub, with the latter calling it “Teddy’s bear” to honor the president.

How has it developed since then: In the years since, the teddy bear toy has become loved by children all over the world and has enjoyed a resounding commercial and cultural success. After the 2010s, with the rise of awareness-event calendars, manufacturers and educators alike decided to create a day in honor of this beloved toy and share its meanings, history, and lessons with the world. In addition, some suggest that this observance has been proposed since 2002 when the teddy bear toy turned 100. 

3 Interesting Facts About National Teddy Bear Day

1. Beary characters: Maybe the most well-known teddy bear character, Winnie the Pooh became one of the most popular characters adapted for film. In addition, Paddington Bear is an iconic and beloved character in British children’s literature. What’s more, the concept of the teddy bear inspired the creation of Big Bird’s toy Radar, a character from Sesame Street, as well as Fozzie Bear from Muppets.
2. In popular culture: Teddy bears were a foundational step in the manufacture of children’s goods – a new market in the early 20th century when child labor was declining. Later on, they became companions to soldiers in the World Wars, tucked in their backpacks, to bring ease to turbulent times. These loved toys also inspired “Teddy Bears’ Picnics” in the UK and “Teddy Bear Festivals” in Japan. Most notably, teddy bears have over 12 museums worldwide dedicated to their cultural impacts. 
3. Expensive teddies: Teddy bears, and especially Steiff and Michtom originals from the early 20th century, are valued prizes for collectors worldwide. For instance, in 2022, a pair of 1904 Steiff teddy bears were sold for nearly $13,000. However, the winner of the Guinness World Record for a teddy bear sale belongs to a Steiff Louis Vuitton teddy bear, sold in 2000 for more than $180,000. This teddy even modeled a beret and trench coat with the designer’s signature logo!

Upcoming Dates of National Teddy Bear Day

National Teddy Bear Day is observed every year on September 9.

Never Miss an Important Awareness Event Again

Sources

• Europeana: The teddy bear, one of the most iconic toys in history
• Let’s Talk Teddy Bears: Teddies Have Their Own Day
• Bears for Humanity: How Teddy Bears and other Transitional Objects Help a Child Learn and Grow
• Redalyc: THE USE OF TEDDY BEARS TO HELP DEVELOP INTERPERSONAL
• CONTEXT TO PROMOTE INTRINSIC MOTIVATION
• Big Heart World: The Secret Powers of Teddy Bears
• Best Dressed Bears: The Role of a Teddy Bear in a Child’s Development
• Better Fundraising Ideas: Fundraising Ideas For Kids – A Teddy Bears Picnic
• ABCDeelearning: 10 EASY Bear Crafts for Kids
• The Super Mom Life: HOW TO MAKE TEDDY BEAR COOKIE TREATS
• Impactful Ninja: Youth and Children Welfare
• Rays of Sunshine: National Teddy Bear Day Donations
• The Indian Express: 50+ Adorable Teddy Day Wishes & Quotes to Make 2025 Warm and Fuzzy for Your Loved Ones
• Smithsonian Magazine: The Teddy Bear Was Once Seen as a Dangerous Influence on Young Children
• Wikipedia: Teddy Bear
• Wikipedia: Winnie the Pooh
• Wikipedia: Paddington Bear
• Muppet Fandom: Radar
• Wikipedia: Fozzie Bear
• Wikipedia: Teddy bear museums
• Moka Toutou Musical: The most expensive teddy bears in the world!
• BBC: Steiff teddy bears X-rayed at vets sell for £10,400
• Guinness World Records: Most expensive teddy bear
• Best Dressed Bears: Teddy Bear World Records