Were you given a teddy bear as a young child? They’re not human, but some teddy bears are wrapped up in family memories. Many people are given one by a parent, grandparent or other relative. Not all survive or are kept past childhood, though some are.

There are also bears, like Winnie-the-Pooh, who become famous. Winnie-the-Pooh made his first appearance in book form 100 years ago, but was a loved family bear before that. In fact the history of such bears is believed to be not all that much older.

The first bear was designed by Richard Steiff and created by Steiff, his family’s German-based company in 1902. Teddy bears quickly became part of popular culture, with Winnie-the-Pooh, Paddington, and Rupert, amongst others, even achieving fame.

I was given a bear by my grandparents when I was young. I still have him, although he was given a new ‘skin’ after wearing very thin. My Dad also has the bear he was given about 75 years ago, complete with a ‘scar’ where he was once ‘operated’ on by his owner. Here are those two bears who have ‘family connections’. Both answer to the name Ted or Bear.

Ted the elder still has his original black and white checked pants, but has lost his matching jacket.

Ted the younger has a hand-knitted cardigan, which was originally human-sized, but was accidentally shrunk and inherited by him.

Are there any teddy bears in your family history? Who is your favourite famous bear?

Selected references

Winnie-the-Pooh at 100: This much-loved classic illustrates how books can boost our wellbeing, The Conversation, 20 March 2026, https://theconversation.com/winnie-the-pooh-at-100-this-much-loved-classic-illustrates-how-books-can-boost-our-wellbeing-277528, accessed 21 March 2026.

A Point of View: The grown-ups with teddy bears, BBC News, 1 February 2013, https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21265701, accessed 29 March 2026.

Mr Simpson’s Teddy Bear Museum, Milestones Living History Museum, https://www.milestonesmuseum.org.uk/your-visit/see-do/teddy-bear-museum, accessed 29 March 2026.