Teddy bears' picnic

A teddy bears' picnic is a party for young children which involves a picnic and to which the children are invited to bring their teddy bears. Teddy bears' picnics may be held as a form of birthday party, or by primary schools or elementary schools or other organised childrens groups.

The concept probably originates with an instrumental version of a 1906 musical piece written the American composer J. K. Bratton and originally titled "The Teddy Bear Two Step" became popular in an 1908 when it was performed by the Arthur Pryor Band and renamed "Teddy Bears Picnic". The song regained prominence in 1932 when the Irish lyricist Jimmy Kennedy added words and it was recorded by the then popular Henry Hall (and his BBC Dance Orchestra ) featuring Val Rosing (Gilbert Russell) as lead vocalist, which went on to sell a million copies. "Teddy Bear Picnic" resurfaced again in the late 1940s and early 1950s when it was used as the theme song for the Big John and Sparky radio program , a children's show presented on Saturday mornings. This perennial favorite has appeared on many children's recordings ever since. lyrics and audio from the BBC

Harry Shearer (one of the creators of This is Spinal Tap) has made a movie as a parody of Bohemian Grove, called Teddy Bears' Picnic.