Teddy Bears' Picnic returns after a long 'paws'

A popular attraction for families in Winnipeg and across Manitoba will return next fall.

In 2020, the Teddy Bears' Picnic went virtual due to the pandemic. It was then put on hold for three years due to high-volume pediatric RSV seasons. On September 8, 2024, the 35th annual Teddy Bears' Picnic will return to Assiniboine Park.

As in previous years, the event will feature activity tents, including the Dr. Goodbear Clinic put on by frontline staff from HSC Children’s Hospital, where kids’ teddy bears are triaged and go through a variety of medical tests and treatments including MRIs, X-rays, casting; and the I Want to be a Scientist tent put on by Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM) that encourages imagination in fun science-based activities and showcases how they can be used in medical settings.

“The Teddy Bears’ Picnic has a rich history in our community as an important and fun family event to help kids feel safe in a hospital setting,” says Stefano Grande, President & CEO of the Children’s Hospital Foundation. “We’re thrilled and thankful to all the dedicated volunteers, sponsors and supporters who are helping bring Teddy Bears’ Picnic back to Assiniboine Park in 2024. We look forward to hearing from community organizations who will help ensure the event is ready for all the teddy bears and families who will attend.”

The goal of Teddy Bears’ Picnic is to deliver a fun day for families while also providing kids with an understanding of what may occur in a hospital or research environment so they may feel comfortable in health care settings.

“Teddy Bears’ Picnic is a special part of our community, and I am so grateful we’re able to bring it back for all the families who have come to love it and all those who will experience it for the first time in 2024,” says Scott McDonald, Teddy Bears’ Picnic advisory circle and past committee chair. “I am blessed to have met and worked alongside all the wonderful committee members, Foundation staff and dedicated sponsors, and I look forward to doing so again as we put together next year’s event.”

Since its inception, Teddy Bears’ Picnic has welcomed over 1 million children, their bears and families.