Teddy Bear Picnic

Little ones will have lots of fun at this special picnic with their beary best friends. Whether planning a party or just looking for an excuse to head outdoors, you can make this theme as simple or elaborate as you like.

All that’s needed to start the fun is a blanket on the lawn (or living room floor). Invite the children to bring their fuzzy friends to lunch.

With just a little extra effort, a teddy bear picnic becomes a sweet birthday party for tots. Just remember to keep it simple: Young children are easily overwhelmed by crowds and strict schedules. The classic rule of thumb is to invite only as many guests as your child’s age — or their age plus one. (Bring as many bears as you like.)

BEAR NECESSITIES

Set up a backdrop for photos, which can be tucked inside thank you cards for your guests. Fill a picnic basket with bears and tie on a few balloons to set the scene.

For the girls’ hats, we used a hot glue gun to dress up simple sun hats with artificial flowers and berries. For boys, use fishing hats and lures. Older children might enjoy designing their own. We bought our hats and flowers at the Dollar Tree. Cost: $2.50 each.

BEARY GOOD TREATS

Berries, of course. Gummy bears are great, too.

To create a fun Bear Party Mix, we combined Teddy Grahams, Honey Maid Bees and mini marshmallows. Raisins and other dried fruit would be tasty, too.

Use a bear-shaped cookie cutter to make peanut butter and honey sandwiches. For a breakfast party, pour teddy bear pancakes.

BEARLY PLAYING

A picnic is more fun with games to play. Don’t overdo it, but try these activities if the kids need a little direction:

• Toss the Bees into the Honey Pots: Decorate small flower pots or buckets to look like honey pots. Have kids toss bean bags into the pots to win a prize.
• Teddy Bear Hot Potato: Play some music (perhaps “Teddy Bear’s Picnic” — download a version on iTunes that suits your style). Have children sit in a circle and pass around a bear. When the music stops, the child left holding the bear is out but gets a small prize.
• Read a bear story. There are lots of classics like “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” or the Berenstain Bears and Paddington Bear.
• Cut fun bear shapes with cookie cutters and dough.

Story and ideas by Sara Bristol. Photos by Destiny Williams.

Construction Zone Party

CAUTION: PARTY ZONE

Can you build it? Yes, you can!

When Michael Ozanich asked for a “Bob the Builder” party to mark his fourth birthday, his parents built a celebration inspired by the construction of their new Selah home.

The family’s not-yet-finished basement — with its exposed framework and concrete floors — set the scene, decked out with a roll of yellow caution tape.

When the kiddy crew arrived at the construction site, a hard hat and tool belt were waiting for them to get to work (partying, of course).

A stack of boxes and a wrecking ball were the hit of the party, so to speak. In fact, the wrecking ball (a volleyball wrapped in black plastic, suspended from the ceiling) was such as smash that Michael’s mom Aimee tells us she left it hanging for over three months.

INVITATIONS: Using her computer, Aimee made invitations with clip art of hard hats, bulldozers and construction-themed word play: Foreman Michael is turning four! Can you help him build a fun foundation for his next year? We will be breaking ground on Jan. 23. Your shift begins at 3 p.m.

ACTIVITY: Before the party, Crew Boss Brent (a.k.a. Dad) made kits for the kids to build their own tool boxes. Then, with a little help from the boss man, the crew hammered together their boxes and personalized them with paint.

TOOL BOX TIPS

Find directions to make your own tool box at lowes.com. Look in the How-To Library.

Or, purchase wood craft kits online for about $8-10 each at ssww.com or woodcraft.com.

• Create a Work Zone Obstacle Course: Crawl through a box, balance across a 2-by-4 and steer a wheelbarrow through traffic cones.

• To provide a safe space for little ones, tuck a box of building blocks or Legos in a corner.

CAKE: No construction required here. This one’s super easy — dish up a heap of mud (actually a mound of brownies, tossed with some gummy worms.) Dig in!

FAVORS: Stock the tool boxes with a couple of real tools from a dollar store and they’re set to go.

Party supplies & entertainment

A-1 Jumpers
Inflatable jumpers.
Track 29, 1 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima. 853-2980.

Balloons By Design
Designer balloon bouquets and character rentals.
7 N. Seventh Ave., Yakima. 575-8698. balloons4sale.com

The Cake Decorator’s Shoppe
Cake and candy-making supplies and classes.
2606 W Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima. 494-0975.

Fiesta Foods
Piñatas and cakes.
1008 E. Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima. 928-2274.

Flying Hat Ranch
Pony rides.
1090 Cabin Lane, Yakima. 698-4426. flyinghatranch.bravehost.com

It’s a Blast
Superheroes, princesses and other character entertainment.
Yakima. 949-0436.

J & S Jumpers
Inflatable jumpers; table and chair rentals.
Sunnyside. 391-5761.

Jumpers, Inc.
Inflatable jumpers.
201 S. Third Ave., Yakima. 469-5867. jumpersinc.com

Just Ask Rental
Helium, cotton candy, dunk tanks and more.
1722 Morgan Road, Sunnyside. 837-3737.

La Bodega Yakimex
Piñatas.
511 N 1st St, Yakima. 469-6194.

Mad Science
Interactive science shows; make slippery slime, putty or bouncy balls.
966-3015. madscience.org/yakima

Miles of Smiles
Tambow the Clown.
Tammy Danforth: 248-1062. clowntoday.com

Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop
“Stuff-n-Fluff” stuffed animal and Bella Bee glamour parties hosted in your home.
Valerie Robinett: 307-7268

Party Connection
Costumes, balloons, decorations and party rentals.
1104 Tieton Drive, Yakima. 453-7877. party-connection.com

Party Palace
Decorations, balloons and rentals.
2011 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima. 453-0048.

Ruben’s Tortilleria & Bakery
Piñatas, jumpers and cakes.
1309 N. First St., Yakima. 249-1247.

Think & Throw Educational Toys & Sport Store
Children’s gift registry.
101 W. First St., Selah. 697-6022.

Places to host a party

Children’s Activity Museum
Party room and museum play.
118 E. Fourth Ave., Ellensburg. 509-925-6789. thechildrensactivitymuseum.org

Crazy Kids Hair Design
Glamour parties.
3 N. First St., Selah. 698-6967.

Franklin Pool
Outdoor pool with slide.
2101 Tieton Drive, Yakima. 575-6035. www.ci.yakima.wa.us

Hands On Art
Paint your own pottery.
5603 Summitview Ave., Suite 100, Yakima. 966-4248.

Kent School of Dance
Dance lessons and private space; available evenings and Friday and Saturday afternoons.
Glenwood Square, 5110 Tieton Drive, Yakima. Ask for Jean: 965-2768. kentschoolofdance.com

Kids Castle
Private party rooms, games & indoor play structure; pool available Saturdays in the summer.
Inside Gymnastics Plus, 2121 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima. 453-8126.

The Learning Tree Children’s Center
Private room and facilitator.
3609 Tacoma St., Union Gap. 574-5755. thelearningtree-uniongap.com

Lions Pool
Indoor pool party.
Fifth Avenue and Pine Street, Yakima. 575-6046. www.ci.yakima.wa.us

Meadowbrook Family Fun Center
Reserved party area, arcade tokens and pizza.
7200 W. Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima. 966-3836. yakimafamilyfun.com

Monkey Dooz
Glamour, princess and pirate parties.
Glenwood Square, 5110 Tieton Drive, Yakima. 853-4247. monkeydooz.net

The Museum Soda Fountain
Old-fashioned sodas and ice cream. For playtime, coordinate with a group rate at the Children’s Underground or visit Franklin Park.
2105 Tieton Drive, Yakima. 457-9810.

Nob Hill Lanes
Cosmic bowling.
3807 W. Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima. 966-1070.

Out On a Whim Children’s Bookstore
Party room and planning.
108 S. Third Ave., Yakima. 576-3635. outonawhimbooks.com

Red Art Gallery
Personalized art parties.
30 N. Third St., Yakima. 469-2766.

Selah Gym Kids
709 N. Park Centre, Selah. 698-5437.

Selah’s J. Francis Pool
Outdoor pool, available Saturday mornings and evenings in season.
214 S. Third St., Selah. 698-7306.

Skateland Fun Center
2506 Old Town Road, Union Gap. 575-6442.

Yakima Family YMCA
Indoor pool and party room rentals.
5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima. 248-1202. yakimaymca.org

Yakima Valley Trolleys
Charter trolley rides.
Third Avenue and Pine Street, Yakima. 249-5962. yakimavalleytrolleys.org