Teddy Bear Tea Delights Children in Canton

I had the recent pleasure of attending the Mass Audubon Society’s at the in Canton on Sunday. Sadly, my daughter was feeling under the weather so she and her teddy bear were not able to attend, but I know she would have loved it as much as the group of children who were there did. 

Mini sandwiches, tea, sweets, crafts and teddy bears galore, what’s not to like, one might ask?

With the popularity and appeal of places like the American Girl Cafes, which offers children the opportunity to dine with their doll, it’s no surprise that this would be a hit with the younger crowd. Indeed, the event did not disappoint.

Many children arrived in their Sunday best attire each clutching a special stuffed friend. This tea was not just for the bears in the group, but also included honored guests like “Georgina” the monkey, “Uni” the unicorn, “Dolphinia” the dolphin and a dog named “Cute.”

The estate house was transformed into an elegant tea room with tables dressed and topped with nice linens and china by the roaring fireplaces throughout the house.

There was no shortage of things to eat from assorted tea sandwiches, which included many choices from the traditional cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches and smoked salmon to the not-so-traditional but very kid-friendly, bear-shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, teas, hot cocoa, sherbet punch and all kinds of brownies, cupcakes, and even teddy bear shaped Peeps.

Children were invited to decorate a crown for their stuffed companion using a variety of stickers and crayons.

Mother and daughter volunteers from the National Charity League Blue Hills Chapter were on hand to assist children with their crown-making as well as helping to make sure the tea ran smoothly.

Six-year old Anna Nichamoff, who dined with her mom and stuffed dolphin said her favorite part of the tea was making a crown for Dolphinia.

Both four-year-old Jessica Hooton and nine-year-old Kayla Smigielski enjoyed the food best, especially the sweets with Kayla naming the teddy bear Peeps as a highlight.

After sugar highs were sufficiently attained, the children headed over to the gallery where they were invited to partake in another craft – making a beaded necklace for their stuffed companions.

Mass Audubon Visual Arts Center runs a variety of throughout the year.  For more information on upcoming events, contact the Visual Arts Center at 781-821-8853 or email visual-arts@massaudubon.org