10 Best Teddy Bears in the UK 2024

For example, a short haired bear with minimal pile or fluffiness, such as one made from plain cotton, may be best for newborns or babies, as they can bite and chew on it all they like without you having to worry about tufts of fur coming off into their mouths.

Longer haired bears with a thick pile will be suitable for most children and of course adults, but if you’d like a bit of fluffiness for a baby to grow into, go for a short to medium pile.

The size of the bear may make it a more appropriate choice for recipients of different ages, but that’s really up to you. Smaller bears of around 20cm are generally marketed at babies, but that’s not to say that an extra large bear wouldn’t be appreciated by them either. Giant novelty bears often gifted to adult partners, or very lucky children, can come in at an impressive 100-150cm.

For a middling ground, bears measuring around 30cm are classed as average sized, as they’re small enough to carry around by the paw, but big enough to still give a good squeeze to.

Those with bean pellets make for a slightly weightier bear that can sit up on a shelf or other surfaces, but they do run the risk of bursting if they’re not handled too carefully. This is a good point to bear in mind if you’ve ever had to clean up foam pellets from a split beanbag, as you will know how painful it can be!

Polyester fibre stuffing, on the other hand, gives the bear a denser feel when squished, and makes for a very lightweight toy suitable for anyone in need of a hug.

If you or the person you’re buying for does want an ornamental teddy or a collectable rather than just something to squeeze, this could be a good feature to look out for.

Bows, stuck-on parts and extra accessories can all add to the personality and appeal of the teddy, but it’s always worth double-checking to make sure it’s going to be a safe choice for it’s new carer.