The popular children’s book “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” has spawned a number of games and activities that appeal to kids’ imagination and love for adventure.
Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Going On A Bear Hike
This Going on a Bear Hunt activity riffs on the Michael Rosen book, a tale of a brave family’s joyous romp through sweeping landscapes.First, read the book with your kids or watch the author perform it.Best for children up to five-years-old, the activity gets young kids’ bodies moving, which helps them work on their gross motor skills, sense of balance, and self-control.
Some change “hunt” to “hike” to focus on curiosity rather than trying to capture a bear. Because the book’s heroes go through obstacles, each with an attendant sound, you’ll want to make a list of challenges for the childrenand make up your own sounds.
Next, scout an outdoor spot and set up obstacles. The space must be big enough for a good walk and include rocks, logs, and other objects to climb to create physical barriers that also promote pretending. The scene should also include changes in ground elevation that contribute to the challenge and experience. Include opportunities to climb, roll, jump, and spin. It might be fun to include some faux bear tracks in nearby snow or mud too.
When the children are outside, begin the chant: “We’re going on a bear hike. We’re gonna see our friend, bear…” They should then start walking and when they hit the first obstacle, exclaim, as in the book: “Oh no! A rushing river?! We can’t go under it. We can’t go over it. We’ll have to go through it.” Participants then make their way through the “river” using motions and sounds.
After the bear has been found, back track until you’re at your starting place. You may want to use a tarp or blanket, just like in the book, to get under the “covers.”
Going On A Bear Hunt!
“Going on a hunt bear” activities also include this game, which can be played indoors or outside, preferably at night to add to the thrill.It’s like Hide and Seek, but in reverse. Rather than one person designated as “it” and having to find the others, the one who is “it” must hide. All other participants walk together on the bear hunt, exclaiming the words from the book: “We’re going on a bear hunt! We’re going to catch a big one! We’re not scared!”
When the bear has been found, the players scream, “It’s a bear!” The game can end there and another “bear” is chosen to hide, until all of the children have had a turn as ‘the bear”.
We’re Going On A Bear Hunt – The Board Game
This colorful race-and-chase board game is for two to four players and is suitable for kids age 3 and older. The idea here is to be the first player to reach home without being caught by the bear.The game, which features illustrations from the book, helps children with color recognition and counting.
We’re Going On A Bear Hunt – The Official Game
Using the bear hunt game app, have the child pretend to be one of the book’s characters in the search for the cute and playful bear. Your kid will go bug hunting in the long grass, search for crabs in rock pools, catch falling leaves in the dark forest, and tiptoe into a cave.
With these many ways to celebrate and derive activities from Rosen’s “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” your children will have a blast and learn valuable personal skills at the same time.