Today, Janice Richardson is telling us all about the Chelsea Teddy Bear Company Factory Tour!
We recently toured the Chelsea Teddy Bear company and toy museum with our homeschool group. The factory gives free public tours on Saturday that are short and sweet (about 30 minutes), or you can schedule your own private tour. The tours are supposed to be for any age, but my 2 and 4 year old lost interest in the information and spent most of their time checking out the cool stuffed animals. The tour is most ideal for ages 7 and up.
The quick tour takes you around the showroom floor where you can study historic bears inside display cases. We saw one of Teddy Roosevelt’s bear campaign pins and the first teddy bear to arrive in Michigan! It also allows you a peek into the back warehouse where teddy bears are made and shipped. During our private tour, each of the children were able to stuff a teddy bear to take home. Definitely the highlight of the morning!
Insider info.
Come with a group. If you have a group of 10 or more you can arrange a tour any weekday, which is what we did. This was fantastic because the tour guide was able to adapt what she told us to the attention span of the children. Also, stuffing a bear while you are there is an absolute must.
Don’t worry about a stroller. The tour is small, so you won’t need a stroller or good walking shoes. This is an easy one for even the littlest legs.
Bring your camera. You get to see the world’s largest real teddy bear as well as a Guinness record mosaic of the American flag made from bears. Great photo ops!
Pack a picnic. If the weather is nice, bring lunch and head to Timber Town park around the corner from the teddy bears. This wooden playground is great for kids!
If you go.
Free tours offered Saturdays at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm
400 N Main Street, Chelsea, MI 48118
