A Holiday Classic That Began in 1937
Before there were Christmas movies on streaming services or even television, families gathered around their radios each evening for a special treat. In 1937, the Cinnamon Bear Radio Program first aired, designed as a 26-part holiday adventure to lead children from late November all the way to Christmas Eve.
Each 15-minute episode followed Judy and Jimmy Barton as they searched for their missing Silver Star Christmas tree topper. Along the way, they met Paddy O’Cinnamon (the Cinnamon Bear himself), rode on the Crazy Quilt Dragon, tangled with the Wintergreen Witch, and encountered dozens of whimsical characters in the magical land of Maybeland.
With cliffhangers at the end of every episode, children eagerly tuned in night after night, counting down to Christmas while living the adventure.
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The Story of Judy, Jimmy, and Paddy O’Cinnamon
The magic begins when Judy and Jimmy climb into their attic and discover that the star for their Christmas tree has disappeared. That’s when they meet Paddy O’Cinnamon, a stuffed bear who comes to life and leads them into a fantastical world.
The Cinnamon Bear Radio Program is filled with unforgettable moments:
- The wacky Candy Pirates
- The tricky Inkaboos
- The gentle giant Fee Foe
- The wise Queen Melissa
- And of course, Santa Claus himself
The language is playful, full of rhymes, riddles, and alliteration, all designed to capture a child’s imagination through sound.
Why the Cinnamon Bear Radio Program Still Matters
Nearly 90 years later, the Cinnamon Bear Radio Program continues to charm families. Here’s why it still works so well today:
- It sparks imagination: Kids must picture Maybeland in their minds, building listening and comprehension skills.
- It creates tradition: With 26 episodes, it’s a ready-made Christmas countdown.
- It’s family-friendly: Sweet, silly, and filled with holiday cheer.
- It’s timeless: The themes of bravery, kindness, and persistence still resonate.
In an age of screens, there’s something refreshing about slowing down and gathering around an audio story together.
Bringing the Cinnamon Bear Into Your Homeschool
For homeschool families, the Cinnamon Bear Radio Program is more than entertainment. It’s a chance to weave literature, history, and family connection into your holiday season.
Here are a few easy ways to use it:
- Make it part of your daily Advent rhythm.
- Let younger kids color while listening.
- Ask prediction questions before each episode.
- Talk about 1930s expressions, stereotypes, and how culture has changed.
- Build family projects like a map of Maybeland or character posters with character traits.
A Ready-to-Go Resource for Families
To make it even easier, I’ve created the Cinnamon Bear Adventure Hub, a 26-day companion that brings the story of Jimmy, Judy, and all their friends to life in your homeschool.
Inside the Cinnamon Bear Adventure Hub you’ll find:
🎧 Quick listening links for all 26 episodes
🖍 A coloring page for every episode
📖 Episode summaries, literary elements, and discussion prompts
💭 Growth mindset reflections for kids
🌱 Growing projects like a Map of Maybeland and Character Tracker
It’s everything you need to enjoy the Cinnamon Bear Radio Program with your family, without any extra prep.
👉 You can learn more about the Cinnamon Bear Adventure Hub here
From Our Family to Yours
The Cinnamon Bear Radio Program has been delighting families since 1937, and it’s still a magical way to count down to Christmas. Whether you’re listening for nostalgia, tradition, or as part of your homeschool, it’s a story that invites kids to imagine, giggle, and dream their way to Christmas Eve.
In fact, when I homeschooled my own children (Lauren, Megan, and Douglas), we listened to The Cinnamon Bear together every December from 2008 to 2012. Even now, as young adults, they still reference events from the story, laugh about the quirky characters, and remember the joy of following Judy, Jimmy, and Paddy O’Cinnamon through Maybeland.
It truly became part of our family’s holiday tradition, and it can become part of yours too.
This holiday season, gather close, press play, and let Judy, Jimmy, and the Cinnamon Bear take your family on an unforgettable adventure.
Ready to transform your homeschool experience?
Looking for a way to bring more joy, connection, and ease to your homeschool?
The Busy Bees Holiday Hub is a one-of-a-kind, affordable membership that helps you weave learning into everyday life through meaningful (and fun!) holiday and seasonal activities. Inside, you’ll find ready-to-use printables, a daily holiday calendar, monthly kids’ classes, coaching support for moms, and a growing library of short, practical workshops—all designed to help you create a buzz-worthy learning environment where curiosity, confidence, and connection thrive.
By integrating these resources, you can effortlessly add the holiday of the day to your homeschool routine, fostering a dynamic and enriching educational experience for your children.
Learn more and join the Buzy Bees Membership HERE. Discover how easy and enjoyable it is to celebrate while learning every day!
I’d also like to invite you to join our email list for expert tips, mindset shifts, and creative ideas to navigate homeschooling with confidence and joy. Each edition of The Buzz is designed to inspire and empower homeschool moms like you, featuring practical strategies for organizing, scheduling, and lesson planning—all while embracing the magic of child-led learning to ignite your family’s curiosity and creativity.
The Buzz will help us stay connected and work together to make homeschooling a fulfilling journey for your family.
In the meantime, “Bee” sure to check out the different methods of homeschooling as well as our 3 easy strategies for burnout.
