Supporting your school

It might not be a fundraiser, but hosting a teddy bears’ picnic for new starters coming to your primary school is a great way to strengthen your school community, and it gives parents an insight to the work your PTA does. You never know, you may even end the day with a few new volunteers! Here’ s everything you need to welcome the little ones( and their cuddly friends)

Getting things off to a beary good start

While planning your picnic, you might be envisioning a grassy meadow in the sunshine with blankets and baskets and cake. An outdoor space would certainly be a lovely setting. But that’ s not available to everyone – and what if the weather turns?

If you don’ t have a picturesque field at hand or it looks like rain( and let’ s face it, with the British weather it’ s good to plan for a downpour), a hall or an empty classroom would work just as well. If you have a large intake, you may even need several empty classrooms to accommodate everyone.

All cuddly friends are welcome

Not every child’ s favourite cuddly toy is an actual bear, so let new starters know that the invite is open to non-bears too! 32 PARENTKIND. ORG AUTUMN / WINTER 2026