A Teddy Bear’s Picnic is a charming, imaginative activity that invites children to bring their soft toys together for a make-believe feast.
Whether held in the garden or laid out on the living room floor, it offers a chance for pretend play, storytelling, and social interaction — all without needing to leave home.
This kind of activity encourages creativity, language development, and empathy, as children assign personalities to their toys and host them like special guests. It’s also a lovely way to wind down or gently transition between more energetic games.
Materials Needed
- A few teddy bears or soft toys
- Blanket or picnic mat
- Pretend play food or real snacks (optional)
- Plastic or toy crockery and utensils
- Books or songs for a gentle picnic vibe
Tools Needed
- None
Steps
- Set the Scene
Lay down a blanket either outside or indoors and invite your child to bring their favourite soft toys to join the picnic. - Add the Food
Use pretend food or safe real snacks in small containers or plates. - Serve and Play
Encourage your child to pour drinks, share out food, and chat with their teddy guests. - Make It Musical
Sing “Teddy Bears’ Picnic” or play soft music while you enjoy the meal together. - Wind Down with a Story
Finish the picnic with a book read aloud to the toys, or some quiet snuggle time on the blanket.
Variations
- Dress-Up Teddies: Help your child dress their teddies in clothes or accessories before the picnic begins.
- Guest List: Include dolls, action figures or animal toys and let your child create personalities and stories for each one.
- Rainy Day Version: Host the picnic indoors under a play tent, table fort or canopy of blankets.
- Themed Picnic: Create a tea party, birthday celebration or even a camp-out for the toys.
Safety Tips
- Supervise closely if using small pretend food or crockery with very young children.
- Ensure food and drink are age-appropriate if serving real snacks.
- Use a soft, flat surface for sitting to avoid slips or bumps.
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