This year's Teddy Bear picnic may be online, but the Children’s Hospital Foundation is hinting that activities will be far from the "bear" minimum.

For the first time in the Teddy Bear Picnic's 34-year history, the annual gathering will not be taking place in person.

The Teddy Bear Picnic has traditionally taken place each year at the Assiniboine Park. Up to 40,000 people attend each year, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that is too many people allowed to gather in one place.

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 activities will not be present, McBurney says that they will still be hosting the picnic's core activities online.

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The Children’s Hospital Foundation's social media sites will be giving updates on the activities and supplies needed to take part, but McBurney says there is one thing that is most important to bring to the at-home picnic.

"It really is just making sure you have your teddy bear ready, and you are ready to enjoy the day with your family."

The Dr. Good Bear tent will still be hosted by medical professionals, but this year they will instead teaching children how to care for their stuffed animals themselves.

Science experiments, crafts, and dances are all expected to occur online during the picnic. The foundation says they will still be hosting their 50/50 raffle, but doing so online this year.

"There will also be the Good Day Show, which is actually a CHTV hospital closed-circuit hospital show that runs every day in the hospital. We are going to do a special episode of that so kids outside the hospital can see what kids inside the hospital can see."

The virtual event will also be sharing with families ways they can create a healthy picnic at home.

The picnic will be hosted on the Children’s Hospital Foundation's Facebook page from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.