Have you been taking part in what has been described as a ‘neighbourhood-wide game of I spy?’

Our children are having to process a lot right now, without social engagements with their peers, extracurricular activities, organised sports and play dates with their friends. Lots of parents have initiated different creative outlets to give their children something positive to engage in. Getting some fresh air and a bit of exercise is important for healthy bodies and minds. Be very careful going on a walk in your neighbourhood as you will probably encounter some bears and there’s a good reason for that.

People all over the world are placing bears in their windows so that children can go on “bear hunts” around their neighbourhoods. The idea is simple. As most homes already have what they need to participate. It’s community-minded ideas like this which will help to lift the spirits of young children during a stressful and very difficult time for many families.  Enjoying a little time outdoors and waving to neighbours from afar keeps us connected.

Your children can join in by drawing a bear or placing their beloved toy teddy bears in a street-facing window, so it is clearly visible from the road. Teddy bears of all personalities, shapes and sizes are popping up in windows. The initial idea was to create a fun activity to get families out walking and keeping children active in the process.

Children and adults alike can hunt for bears on walks, car journeys and bicycle rides through their neighbourhood. This fun-filled family learning experience was inspired by Michael Rosen’s well-known storybook, called ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’.

The author uses a range of descriptive vocabulary, for the reader and listener to imagine themselves on the journey encountered by the family. The story entails three children, their parents and the family dog who decided to go on an adventure in search of bears. Along the way, they face many obstacles on their intrepid adventure, which includes long wavy grass, a deep cold river, a walk through thick oozy mud, a trip through a big dark forest, finding their way through a swirling whirling snowstorm and tiptoeing through a narrow gloomy cave in order to find a bear.

But this bear hunt should be much easier, as many different coloured and size toy bears are currently waiting in windows to be found. The children can keep track by counting the number of bears they see or graph the colour and size of the bears that they discover. Children can design and construct a bear headband to wear on their adventure, take printed maps or draw up a map of their own and with binoculars in hand, go on a safari in search of teddy bears. This is a great way to keep the children entertained while sticking close to home.

As part of our TIGS community, we would love you to join in, because in times of the unknown we need to think creatively and come together as a community. Social distancing restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19 are currently being enforced, so please use common sense and only walk in small family groups currently living together.

When taking the children on a bear hunt, remember the correct social distancing rules and keep at least 1.5 metres away from others.  These restrictions are constantly changing, but we are currently allowed outside to exercise so long as we abide by the rules. Please keep updated and observe social distancing laws and restrictions.

Please share your bear hunt journeys with TIGS Prep we would love to see how much fun you had on your adventure.