(or Anywhere You Can Think Of!)
October 14, 2026
Is that a Teddy Bear peeking over your colleague’s monitor? Do you know a teacher who just sat a 4-legged Teddy on their desk? Who was that father pushing his fuzzy Bear down aisle 7A selecting a breakfast cereal? Really … a stuffed Bear hitching a ride-with-a-view from the top of a backpacker’s backpack as she climbs Mount Amazing? Why yes! But don’t be alarmed. It’s National “Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work/School” Day (or wherever you spend the day). This heartwarming National Day is a dedicated to embracing (literally) nostalgia and fun.
What’s this Silliness All About?
Celebrated annually on every second Wednesday in October, National “Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work/School” Day is your official permission slip to let your cherished childhood companion tag along with you all day long. And quite likely you’ll find Teddy to be the best coworker or classmate, shopping trolley companion or hiking buddy you could ask for!
Do you remember your first Teddy Bear? Did he instantly became your first, and likely your forever, best friend? He was the one who knew all your secrets, stayed awake nights to keep the closet monsters at bay, and comforted you when sad, scared or sick. Teddy was always there. He was the keeper of your childhood tears and your biggest cheerleader.
As serious adults we spend our days working endlessly to meet deadlines and perform countless grown-up duties, returning home each night exhausted. But somehow we carry on thanks to the simple, comforting presence of our Teddy Bear, who always greets us at the end of each day. Such a welcome breath of fresh, fuzzy air! So why not, at least for one day, allow that best friend to join you at work or school, the market or even the great outdoors. It isn’t just silly—it’s a celebration! It’s guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face, spark the imagination, and start a conversation. It’s a stress-ball with a soul, a furry, low-maintenance mood booster, and a pure and simple delight.
How a Stuffed Bear Became a Toy Icon
Teddy’s story begins, surprisingly, with a hunting trip and a moment of presidential sportsmanship. It was 1902, and President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt was hunting bear in the great state of Mississippi. After an unsuccessful day, his hunting party managed to corner and tie up a bear to a tree for the President to shoot. But Mr. Roosevelt, an avid hunter, refused to kill the bear, declaring it unsportsmanlike.
Word of the incident leaked to the press and the story quickly became national news. Even Clifford Berryman, a well known political cartoonist of the times, immortalized the moment in The Washington Post (11/16/1902) with his cartoon depicting Roosevelt turning his back on the tethered bear. The cartoon became an instant classic.
Instantly inspired by the Berryman cartoon, Morris Michtom, a New York candy store owner, along his wife Rose, created a stuffed bear cub. Michtom sent the bear to Roosevelt and asked for permission to call his creation “Teddy’s Bear.” The President agreed, and voilà … a toy icon was born!
How Can I Join the Fun?
- Don’t let your Bear be a wallflower! Unabashedly introduce him to colleagues, classmates, and everyone you meet on this National Day.
- As a new employee or teacher’s aide, Teddy will need a name tag and a fun job title like “Chief of Snack Inspection” or “Director of Naps.” At the food store, ask if he can volunteer to sample and rate speciality products like gummy bears, animal crackers, or “bear claw” pastries, to increase sales of these “bear-y delicious” treats. As a hiking buddy perched high on your backpack, Teddy can be your rear-view lookout — alerting you to dangers stealthily approaching from behind.
- Have a little fun and take a photo your Teddy Bear “working” at the copier, “attending” a meeting, or “reading” a book in the library. Teddy might like to “push” the shopping cart, “point” at his favorite honey on the shelf, or “scan” items at the self-checkout station. Don’t forget to loan him your binoculars so he can “look” far down the trail for danger, or share your camera so he can “take photos” of the black bear mom and her three cubs standing right behind you!
- This is the perfect day to give a Teddy Bear to someone who needs a friend or a little encouragement. Organize a collection of new Teddy Bears to donate to a local children’s hospital, shelter, or first responders.
- Share the fuzzy fun online by posting pictures and stories using the hashtag #BringYourTeddyBearToWorkSchoolDay.
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This amusing little post is dedicated to my sister-in-law, Larrie Jean — one of the most wonderfully influential and inspiring women I’ve ever had the good fortune to know and love. Her curious nature about the world and her sense of humor and good fun, resulted in her love of nearly everything imaginable, including Teddy Bears! When I discovered National “Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work/School” Day was an officially-designated National Day, I absolutely knew she would’ve celebrated with wild abandon, and most likely with each and every Teddy in her collection! As the caretaker of Larrie Jean’s Bears (thanks Wendel!), from this year forward I’ll invite at least one of her Teddy Bears to spend this fun day with me celebrating a love of life and the “silly” in us all!
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What is your Teddy Bear doing today?
As always, I couldn’t ‘bear’ it if you hadn’t stopped by!
