Discover our collection of teddy bears and plush bears that will be ideal for your children. Who hasn't dreamed of hugging a bear? Our bear plushies are soft and gentle, so you can hug them as often as you like. They'll make great cuddly toys, from small crochet bears to giant teddy bears of up to 100 cm, so check out our collection.
You’d like to give a cuddly toy as a present, but aren’t sure which model to choose. In that case, opt for the teddy bear.
Origins of the teddy bear
The first teddy bears appeared in the USA in 1903. At the time, US President Theodore Roosevelt, nicknamed “Teddy”, was an avid hunter. In November 1902, he found himself in Mississippi, where rabble-rousers offered to shoot a wounded bear cub tied to a tree, so that he could add another trophy to his hunting trophy cabinet.
Theodore Roosevelt, shocked by such a proposal, and deeming the act contrary to the mores of the sport, refuses to kill the animal and orders its immediate release. The story spread and soon went viral. The expression “Teddy’s Bear” was immediately used in caricatures, notably by Washington Post cartoonist Clifford Berryman, who immortalised the touching scene of the President sparing a bear cub in his November 16, 1902 edition.
Morris Michtom, manager of a store selling confectionery, toys and rag dolls made by his wife, spotted the cartoon. In 1903 he marketed a teddy bear he called Teddy, with the President’s permission. The teddy went on to become a worldwide success. The bear became a favourite with children, and was a fixture in most toy stores. He became an indispensable, inseparable friend for children, and inspired many writers. The best-known literary character is undoubtedly Winnie-the-Pooh, created by A. A. Milne for his son in 1926.
Why should every child have a teddy bear?
In an increasingly virtual world, the teddy bear creates a bridge between the real and the imaginary, which is so important for every child. Indeed, wandering in the world of stories, narratives, fantasy and staging is the hallmark of childhood. And teddy bears are often the first stuffed animals we own.
They accompany us throughout our childhood, helping us to build ourselves. Specialists call this “symbolic play”: children use what they see, hear and experience to construct their reality, to associate and combine. It also enables the child to learn to live with others. When playing with other children, a toddler learns to share, to wait his turn, to compromise and to settle small disputes. They learn to say new words, express their ideas and make themselves understood.
Why do children love teddy bears?
Children love teddy bears because they’re a symbol of gentleness. Paradoxically, bears also symbolise power and strength. But mixed with its tenderness, it’s not seen as a ferocious animal, but rather as a protector, like daddy. According to this patriarchal pattern, he defends his territory and protects his loved ones. The child thus feels totally secure. It’s also to him that the child will confide, allowing him to evacuate his doubts, fears and anxieties. So our category of cute teddy bears in disguise could be a good option.
How to choose a teddy bear?
A very young child will need visual stimulation. Choose a teddy bear rich in primary colours like red, green and blue. Bright colours help children develop their visual skills. However, children will often prefer red tones, among the first colours a baby’s eyes can tell apart.
Likewise, warm light at night has a calming effect on restless children. It’s also a good idea to choose a small, easy-to-grip bear, with paws long enough to be grasped by the child. Finally, at this age, as children put everything in their mouths, it’s advisable to choose very soft, rather smooth materials, without fur, to prevent the child from tearing it off with his teeth. For a toddler, always check the age shown on the product page.
Around the age of 18 months, anxiety about the dark begins to appear. The teddy bear will bring comfort to the child, and accompany bedtime. Holding a teddy bear in his arms allows the child to make the transition between the hyperactivity of the day and the emptiness of the night. You can also opt for our white LED pillow bear plush, which warmly illuminates the room and accompanies bedtime.
For an older child, you could opt for less conventional cuddly toys with original designs.
And don’t forget to check the care instructions of the plush toys sold on my-plush.co.uk: some are indicated as washable on their product page. Depending on the model chosen, they can be machine-washed, dry-cleaned or hand-washed.
To continue your exploration of wild animals, head off to the kingdom of jungle acrobats with our Monkey plush collection. These agile, mischievous creatures are renowned for their intelligence and playful personalities. Our Monkey plushes capture their charm and vivacity with realistic details and high-quality materials. Whether you’re looking for a playmate or an exotic decoration, our Monkey plush toys will bring a touch of joy to your plush world.
Our teddy bears in detail
Our collection brings together more than 80 teddy bears. Sizes range from small bears of 25 or 30 cm, easy for little hands to hold, to teddy bears of 50 or 60 cm, the most common sizes, and giant teddy bears of 80 and 100 cm to hug like a cushion. Brown, the classic teddy colour, comes first, followed by pink, then blue, beige, white, yellow and red.
About one in six of our bears is crocheted, like the crochet bear with a heart or the little pocket hug bear. For Valentine’s Day, you will find a teddy bear holding a rose and giant love heart teddy bears, while the pink bear pillow and the Care Bears pillow plush double as cushions. Some models light up, like the LED pillow bear.
See also: Panda Plush, Plush Owl, Koala Plush and Turtle Plush.
Frequently asked questions about teddy bears
Why is a bear called a teddy?
The name comes from Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, the American president who refused to shoot a bear cub tied to a tree in 1902. A cartoon of the scene inspired the first “Teddy’s Bear” toys the following year.
Do you have a big teddy bear?
Yes: several of our teddy bears measure 80 or 100 cm, like the giant love heart teddy bear, big enough to hug like a cushion on the bed or the sofa.
Can I get a teddy bear delivered in the UK?
Yes, we deliver all over the UK with tracked delivery, free from £65. Orders are dispatched within 48 hours (working days), and half of our parcels arrive within about 10 working days of ordering, 90% within 15.
