Teddy Bears and Tops

Did you bring your teddy bear to work today? Or have you played with a spinning top? Today would be the day to do so since it's both National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work/School Day as well as International Top Spinning Day! I honestly don't remember having a favorite teddy bear growing up (although I received the most adorable panda bear as a first Valentine's Day present from my high school sweetheart and a gorgeous huge white teddy bear from my husband the day after we became grandparents for the first time!) I think the closest I probably came to playing with teddy bears was in the '60s when Fuzzy Wuzzy soap was introduced. It came in animal shapes (one of which was a bear) and when it got wet, it grew little fuzzy hair... and in the middle was a plastic capsule (like the ones that come out of gumball machines) with a surprise inside. I remember trying to leave it in the bath water so the soap would melt off sooner, but my mom would always rescue the little guy. Drat... took a long time to get to the middle that way!

I did have this great musical spinning inverted top as a little girl though. It was metal and painted a rainbow of purples and blues and greens and golds - probably part of the reason why those are still my favorite colors today! It had a knob on top that served to wind up some sort of screw-type mechanism inside it, and the base of the top had a series of holes drilled in it around the bottom so that when it spun, it would "whistle" in a variety of tones that sounded like a song to my little girl ears! I loved that top!

In honor of these two holidays, I wandered the halls of Etsy and found some great teddy bears and spinning tops! With the holidays coming up, perhaps these might serve as a perfect (if not somewhat old fashioned) toy for a special child or child-at-heart in your world!

Penelope and Scooter
are visiting from customteddys, a wonderful little Etsy shop filled with one of a kind and custom teddy bears in a variety of styles and themes!







This lovely Lathe-turned Hardwood Spinning Top Set in Goncolo Alves Wood from rippleriverstudio on Etsy would make a great gift for the man in your life, or that boss that needs something to break up the stress of their day.


Looking for tops with launching mechanisms? Start your search here with these great tops from SDIWoodworking at Etsy. They have a wonderful selection, with and without launchers. What a great way to show your child or grandchild how to enjoy some fun activities, increase their motor skills, and encourage imaginative play without breaking the bank!

Happy Shopping!