Bear Hats, Banners, Masks, and Books

I love browsing Pinterest and being able to see all of the kid birthday party ideas. Some of them are quite extravagant which is fine if you can do that. I can see how you would go overboard on children's parties because they are so excited about it all.

So with that in mind some Teddy Bear party ideas or you could use these for everyday fun if so needed. My favorite Bear Books are included at the bottom of the post. Check them out I think you'll enjoy them!

Teddy Bear Hats

• Place a plate on a piece of card stock and trace half of the plate so you have a half circle. 
• Cut it out.
• Wrap it until you have a cone shape.
• Add your favorite bear items to the hat.
• Bear shown was cut out from felt pieces and glued to the hat.
• A party hat was added to the bear. You could do it with just the bear. Or just use stamps or crayons/markers to decorate your hat and don't worry about using felt.

• Punch holes in the side of each cone and add string or elastic long enough to go around your little ones head.
• Draw on any pieces that you need to with a permanent black marker.

Teddy Bear Banner/Bear Masks

I'll have to get a better picture to add. This banner was ripped down and some what broken/destroyed as I was taking a picture of it. So I need to do a few repairs. 

I purchased some craft foam from Walmart and using different sized plates and cups in my kitchen cut out different sizes of circles for a bear head-dessert plate, nose-small bowl, eyes-plastic medicine cup, ears-glass. Ears and head where cut out of brown, the nose was white, and the eyes black. I then cut out my own triangle shape for the snout of the bear and added a little mouth with a sharpie marker. Hot glued it all together and then glued it to some twine. Worked great….. well until it was ripped down because I hung it too low for curious little paws! I'll try and get a better picture up soon.

*You could easily turn these into bear masks by cutting large holes out for the eyes and adding elastic to each side so it winds around the child's head. Children could then help make their own mask and wear as part of a party or bear day.

My Favorite Bear Books… I own them all and love them.

The Teddy Bears' Picnic

 Jimmy Kennedy

 Illustrated by Alexandra Day

The Christmas Bear 

Written and Illustrated by Henrietta and Paul Stickland

The Bear Snores On

Karma Wilson and Illustrated by Jane Chapman

Must Have Christmas Books

My mom is an artist. She has a way of capturing images that make your imagination run wile. As a little girl I remember watching her sketch out pictures of pumpkins, fall scenes, a girl on ice skates, and Christmas Trees covered in snow. My mom has always loved books with fantastic illustrations and has passed that love to me. I have a Children's book collection that is based on the stories yes but I put a great deal of stock into the illustrations as well. If it is not beautifully illustrated I can't get myself to purchase it. So a few of my childhood favorites that you should consider trying to find for you kids are below. You will not be sorry. 

The Christmas Bear is no longer in print but you can purchase it online at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-Christmas-Bear-Henrietta-Stickland/dp/0760784175/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354510232&sr=8-1&keywords=the+christmas+bear or other retailers. The pictures and the story draw you in and bring out the magic of Christmas. Both the story and the images are fantastic. The book is recommended for ages 4-7 but I would recommend it for children of all ages. The story is about a polar bear who falls through a hole in the ice and lands in Santa's cozy study. Santa then takes him on a tour of the North Pole and finishes up with Santa taking him home on his sleigh. The penguin featured on the cover follows the two through the book getting into mischief that you see in pictures only.

The Christmas Bear

By: Henrietta Stickland

Illustrated By: Paul Stickland

Book Cover

Page 1 and 2

How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas
By: Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
Boys and Girls will love the cute story and illustrations in this book. Depicting dinosaurs off all kinds trimming the tree, hanging lights, and getting ready for Christmas just like humans. The book will put a smile even on your face as you are reading it. New this year. If you have a little dinosaur lover you need this book.

Tyrannoclaus

By: Janet Lawler

I get a kick out of dinosaurs thinking they are people and behaving so. This book follows the traditional "Twas the Night Before Christmas" as it depicts Santa as Tyrannosaurus Rex and all of his helpers as dinosaurs as well. Clever writing and entertaining pictures. This is a unique take on a classic.

 Mary Engelbreit's The Nutcracker

By: Mary Engelbreit

The classical story of the Nutcracker comes to life in Engelbreit's bright illustrations. Girls of all ages will love this story and be entranced by the pictures. Though there is a written story Engelbreit knows how to tell a story in pictures. She is incredibly good at adding those little details that let your eye wander the pages over and over.

A Merry Little Christmas

By: Mary Engelbreit

As you can tell I love Mary Engelbreit's work. I fell in love with this book in August. I checked it out at the Library for my son to read in the car on a road trip. This book is meant for younger children as the whole book teaches the letters of the alphabet. Page 1 starts with the letter A decked out with items that start with an A and a short rhyme. Each letter is represented with a part of the holiday season, adorable mice, and a part of the story. While reading this my son quickly became impatient with me as I kept pausing too long to look at all of the pictures. Little ones will love this book.

*These books can all be purchased at your local bookstore, online, or at www.amazon.com