Teddy bear parachuting , sometimes referred to as parafauna, is a game in which teddy bear

Teddy bear

The teddy bear is a stuffed toy bear. They are usually stuffed with soft, white cotton and have smooth and soft fur. It is an enduring form of a stuffed animal in many countries, often serving the purpose of entertaining children. In recent times, some teddy bears have become collector's items...

s equipped with parachute

Parachute

A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag, or in the case of ram-air parachutes, aerodynamic lift. Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong cloth, originally silk, now most commonly nylon...

s are dropped from a height. It is increasing in popularity as a charity fundraiser, and competitions based on the descent time are also common.

A typical teddy bear parachute may be made from an old umbrella

Umbrella

An umbrella or parasol is a canopy designed to protect against rain or sunlight. The term parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect from the sun; umbrella refers to a device more suited to protect from rain...

 canopy or other lightweight material. A simple hemispherical pattern of multiple tapered gore

Gore

-Violence:* Graphic violence visually depicted, especially the realistic depiction of serious physical injuries involving blood, flesh, bone and brain matter. This "gore effect" was first visualized in Wolfenstein 3D....

s may be sewn from ripstop nylon kite or sail fabric. Many bears are dressed and fully equipped with parachute packs, helmets and goggles.

While jumps are commonly from high buildings such as church towersTeddy Bears Go Parachuting ("File not found"-deadlink as of April 8 2011)St. Nicolas Church Bells | North Stoneham & Bassett Parish | Southampton and castles, some are more ambitious, with at least one regular event including parachuting from a light aircraft.

In fact, the first bears to do a jump from a light aircraft are still around, and go under the name of the "Ted Devils". A unique item that takes place at airshows (including those at fetes and private functions) devised and run by a well known UK display pilot and aircraft.yakdisplay.com - UK Aerobatic display and Ted Devils act Additionally, these bears are great little fund raisers that support the local community, by letting the local community take part in the event before the day. The Ted Devils have fantastic fund raising ideas and capability.The Ted Devils

Parachuting bears are also lifted by kite

Kite

A kite is a tethered aircraft. The necessary lift that makes the kite wing fly is generated when air flows over and under the kite's wing, producing low pressure above the wing and high pressure below it. This deflection also generates horizontal drag along the direction of the wind...

 and released with a dropper mechanism. This method is cheap and highly portable.Parafauna UK Kites such as parafoil

Parafoil

A parafoil is a nonrigid airfoil with an aerodynamic cell structure which is inflated by the wind. Ram-air inflation forces the parafoil into a classic wing cross-section. Parafoils are most commonly constructed out of ripstop nylon....

s or large deltas are particularly suitable for this. As many kite fliers also make their own kites, the parachutes are usually self-manufactured too. Most bears must be lifted aloft along with the kite. Some small bears may be transported along the line of an already flying kite by a messenger, a small carriage with sails. When the messenger reaches the top of the kite line, the bear is released automatically. This is a much simpler method for repeated drops or charity events.