A teddy bear is a stuffed toy shaped like a bear, usually soft and cuddly, that has been a beloved companion for children since the early 1900s. The name comes from President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, who once refused to shoot a bear cub during a hunting trip because he thought it would be unsportsmanlike. A political cartoonist drew a picture of this moment, and toymakers were inspired to create a soft, friendly bear toy they called the “teddy bear.”

Teddy bears come in all sizes, from tiny ones that fit in your pocket to enormous ones taller than most kids. They're often the first toy a baby receives, and many people keep their childhood teddy bear long into adulthood. Some teddy bears become so important to their owners that they get their own names, personalities, and even travel on family vacations.

The teddy bear appears constantly in stories and culture. Winnie-the-Pooh, Paddington Bear, and Corduroy are all famous bears from children's books. The teddy bear has become a universal symbol of comfort, childhood, and friendship. When someone needs comforting, we might say they need a teddy bear hug, meaning the kind of warm, safe embrace that makes everything feel better.