More Than a Toy: The Enduring Power of the Teddy Bear

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 3, 2026 // PRNewswire // --

BACKGROUND: National Teddy Bear Day is more than a celebration of a beloved toy. It's a reminder of the comfort, connection, and joy a teddy bear can bring at every age. The teddy bear's story begins in 1902 with U.S. President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt. More than a century after the first teddy bear was created, it remains a universal symbol of comfort, connection, and caring.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Experts say comfort objects can help children navigate big emotions and life milestones, making teddy bears more relevant than ever.
• Many adults continue to keep or collect teddy bears because they represent nostalgia, self-expression, and cherished memories.
• As families seek meaningful experiences rather than simply more "stuff," activities that create memories together continue to resonate.

That's why National Teddy Bear Day is examined in relation to Build-A-Bear's mission of sharing hugs, creating memories, and bringing people together. The material notes the history of the teddy bear and describes Build-A-Bear's make-your-own experience. A fundraising initiative by the Build-A-Bear Foundation is described, including how donations may be used to support children's hospital programs.

ABOUT CALLIE RAPP:

Callie Rapp is Vice President of Communications & Public Relations at Build-A-Bear Workshop, where she leads the company's communications strategy across media relations, executive communications, internal communications, and corporate storytelling. In her role, she helps shape and protect the Build-A-Bear brand while supporting key business initiatives, consumer campaigns, partnerships, and reputation management efforts. Prior to joining Build-A-Bear, she spent 13 years on the agency side advising brands including Pop-Tarts, SNICKERS, Twix, Anheuser-Busch and Chevron, among others. Callie recently completed her MBA at Washington University in St. Louis' Olin Business School and holds a bachelor's degree from Lehigh University.

SOURCE Build-A-Bear Workshop

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