Giant teddy bear size guide: 3 ft, 4 ft or 5 ft?

A giant teddy bear is the most dramatic gift you can give, but “giant” covers everything from lap-sized to taller than the person receiving it. Here is what each size really looks like, so the surprise is the good kind.

How giant teddies are measured

Teddy sizes are measured standing, from the top of the head to the feet, with the legs straight. Most of the time a teddy sits, and sitting knocks roughly a third off its height. So a 5 ft teddy is about 3 ft 4 in tall when it sits on a bed.

3 ft (90 cm): the easy giant

• Sitting height: about 60 cm, roughly the height of a dining chair seat.
• Best for: children’s rooms, dorm beds, a first “big” teddy, and anyone with limited space.
• Where it lives: propped on pillows, in an armchair, or on a child’s bed with room to spare.

It is still a big hug: a child can wrap both arms around it and barely reach the other side.

4 ft (120 cm): the jaw-drop size

• Sitting height: about 80 cm, roughly the height of a kitchen counter.
• Best for: birthdays, anniversaries, proposals and “I am sorry” moments that need to be seen to be believed.
• Where it lives: a corner of a bedroom, a sofa, or an adult-sized bed.

This is the size we recommend for most surprises. It is unmistakably huge, but it still fits in an ordinary room and through an ordinary door without drama.

5 ft (150 cm): the showstopper

• Sitting height: about 1 m, roughly the height of a dining table.
• Best for: the biggest occasions, and people who have said they want “the biggest one”.
• Where it lives: you will need to plan this. A double bed, a large sofa or a dedicated corner.

Standing, a 5 ft teddy is taller than many people it will be given to. It becomes a piece of furniture as much as a toy, and that is exactly the point.

Before you choose, think about

The room. Picture where it will actually sit. A 5 ft teddy in a small shared bedroom quickly becomes a 5 ft problem.

The recipient. Young children often prefer a 3 ft teddy they can carry around. A teenager or adult usually wants the size that makes everyone else jealous.

Cleaning. Giants are spot clean only. Our care guide covers how to keep one fresh.

How giant teddies are delivered

Giants travel compressed in a protective bag so they stay clean and fit in the courier van. When it arrives, unpack it, give it a good shake and a few firm hugs, and leave it for a few hours: the fill relaxes back to full size. Each one comes with a satin bow, and because of its size, a giant may need an extra day to reach you. If it is for a specific date, mention it in the order notes and we will plan the dispatch around it.