Penguins and Polar Bears | Gift Guide

Gift Suggestions from the Wintry World of Penguins & Polar Bears

Plush Penguin in Crochet

We are fascinated with penguins and polar bears -- two animals associated with Arctic weather, but from polar opposite areas of earth. The popularity of these animals can be seen in every form of product, from books to plush animals to clothes and jewelry.

This enchantment with penguins and polar bears perhaps stems from the fact that -- except for zoos -- most people will seldom see one up close, and almost never in their natural environments.

Presented here are wonderful examples of penguins and polar bears in every medium imaginable, many of them handcrafted by Indie artists.

Penguins and polar bears can never meet without human intervention, because the two species are found on opposite hemispheres.

Polar bears inhabit the Northern Hemisphere and all penguin species live in the Southern Hemisphere.

PENGUINS 

 

Aurora borealis and penguins postcard
by laureenr

What Do You Know About Penguins?  

A List of Fun Facts:

1. Penguins are flightless birds that are adapted for life in the water. Their wings have become flippers. They spend about half of their lives on land and half in the oceans.
2. We usually think of penguins living in the cold climate of Antarctica, but different varieties of penguins can be found throughout the Southern Hemisphere.
3. Penguins come in many sizes. The largest is the Emperor Penguin, which is about 3-1/2 feet tall and weighs around 75 lbs. The smallest is the the Little Blue Penguin (also known as the Fairy Penguin) which grows to about 16 inches tall and weighs just a bit over 2 lbs.
4. We tend to refer to the penguins' coloring as "Tuxedo". The black backs and white fronts are protective markings. A predator looking up from below in the sea has trouble distinguishing between a white penguin belly and the reflective water surface. The black back camouflages penguins from predators from above. (Isn't Nature clever?)
5. Penguins eat fish, squid, and other forms of sealife caught while swimming underwater. 

Play with a Plush Little Blue Fairy Penguin Toy

 

Little Blue Fairy Penguin of Australia

This plush penguin is my interpretation, in crochet, of Australia's real life "Little" Penguin. In the past, they were known as Blue Penguins and Fairy Penguins, and are now officially known as "Little Penguins. The name "Blue Penguin" comes from the fact that they are actually blue in color.

These Fairy Penguins can also be found in New Zealand.

Four Little Penguins Classic Round Sticker by NZPhotography
 

Little Blue Fairy Penguin in plush crochet, plus toy penguins in a variety of colors, including the classic Tuxedo black & white penguin, can be seen in the Etsy Shop of Coastal Crochet Crafts.

Penguin Tea Towels

Screen-Printed Penguin Tea Towel on Etsy

This is a unique winter dish towel. Hand-screened print on this  Penguin tea towel/kitchen towel in 100% cotton.

Handmade by Susan, this darling penguin kitchen towel can be found in her Etsy Shop Juniper Accessories. 

Penguin Soap Set

Decorative, Useful & Fun for the Bath 

Penguin Soaps

Darling soaps in the shape of a penguin. This set is for 10 penguins which measure about 1 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches each. 

Soap will come in individual cello bags with a ribbon– all ready to give.

COLOR - black/white

SCENT - honey almond

Perfect for birthday parties and baby showers with penguin themes.

These penguin soaps and a large variety of other animal shapes and holiday themes can be found in the Etsy Shop called Bubble City Soaps. Shop owner, Patricia, creates 

luxurious Soaps, birthday, wedding, baby shower favors. She also provides you with the ultimate bathing experience, excellence in bathroom decor and unique gifts 

Penguin Perfect for your Wintertime Coffee!

Penguin time ringer coffee mug by Anca_pui
 

Celebrate Penguin Awareness Day on January 20th and World Penguin Day on April 25th and remember the penguins all year long when drinking your coffee from this adorable Penguin coffee cup.

Penguin Storybook for Kids

Penguin Getaway Storybook by Sarah Alabaster

These little penguins work hard, swimming, hunting for fish, and helping their other marine friends like the polar bear and the walrus.  But what do they do for fun?

Come see how they plan a vacation and have a few adventures, including meeting some new friends, in their 'Penguin Getaway'. 

Penguins Have Their Day!

Penguin Awareness Day is January 20

World Penguin Day is April 25 - which coincides with the annual northward migration of penguins.

POLAR BEARS

 

 

polar bear, Ursus maritimus, on ice and snow, 2 Poster by DanitaDelimont

   

Fun Facts About Polar Bears:

 

1.  Polar bears live in the arctic circle and can roam as far south as the northern edge of Canada.
2. There are about 20,000-25,000 polar bears in the world today. They are related to the Brown Bear, but their bodies have adapted for cold temperatures, for moving across snow, ice, and open water..
3. Polar bears are considered to be marine mammals because they spend most of their life at sea. Their scientific name means "maritime bear".
4. Polar bears live where the sea ice meets the open water, to easily hunt the seals that make up most of its diet. They sometimes float a long way on the sea ice, and spend most of their time at sea. .

Polar Bear Waldorf Toy

Large Wooden Polar Bear

Handmade with a scroll saw in Maple Wood

Made by Susan in Wentzville, Missouri, her wooden toys are hand cut on a scroll saw, sanded smooth, and finished with a natural beeswax and organic jojoba oil polish.

This large hand cut Waldorf wooden toy polar bear will provide hours of imaginative fun for your little one. Perfectly sized for little hands, with rounded edges and an all natural polish, this toy is perfect for children ages 3+. 

This polar bear and a large variety of other wooden animals and toys can be found in Susan's Etsy shop she calls "Ooh Look, It's a Rabbit!"

Amigurumi Crochet Plush Polar Bear

Handmade Plush Polar Bear

Come meet a cute little polar bear in plush, handmade in crochet with white acrylic yarn. Polar Bear plushie has embroidered black eyes, nose and claws on the feet. He has such a sweet face.

Polar Bear is just a baby. He measures 8 inches long (9 inches long if you count his tail) and about 4 inches high. He is softly stuffed with new polyester fiberfill and is very huggable.  He can be found in the Etsy crochet shop of Coastal Crochet Crafts.

Baby polar bear is looking for a warm toybox to live in. He's tired of the cold and snow at the North Pole. :-)

Polar Bear Story Book

 

The Bear Report

A little girl finds having to write a book report for school about a polar bear boring until a giant polar shows up and whisks her away to his home in the arctic where he gives her a personal tour.  She learns all about what polar bears eat and what they like to do and all the 'wonders' of their world.

Beautifully illustrated with watercolor images that capture the vastness and beauty of the arctic region that will fascinate children in the 4-8 year old range.

Aurora Plush Polar Bear!

This adorable plush Arctic polar bear is part of the Aurora World wildlife and stuffed animals series of Arctic animals.  

Measuring 10 inches tall, little polar bear is a sweet and soft toy bear ready to be cuddled and loved. 

February 27 is Polar Bear Day!

Polar Bear Day celebrates the world's largest carnivore.

From the North Pole to the South Pole, these Polar Bears and Penguins hope you have enjoyed your tour of their images on gifts. 

(c) Wednesday Elf. Article originally published on 1/19/16. Updated on 1/20/2021

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”