Have lots of fun with this ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ book unit, with lots of activities and a special bear themed party. Read on to join the fun!
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Resources

These were the little one’s bed time read alouds. They were also available in the morning whilst the older ones were doing their chores and also during quiet time after lunch.



Abigail and Becca have wanted to be read to All. The. Time. My older ones are quick to volunteer, in particular Charlotte, who ‘does all the voices’!


We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Adventure Box
I created a Preschool Adventure Box and a written frame work with which to organise my planning of the short units I do with them. This box was bear themed 😊

Morning Play Dough
In the mornings the younger two, especially Becca (1), play with play dough. Like last week I made a play dough mat by photo copying the front page of Going on a Bear Hunt:

Dress Up and Drama
For this unit we had teddy bear dress up and I made some puppets to recreate the ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ story:






Some toy bears with props (a selection of playmobil, Schliech models and Duplo lego):


We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Activity Trays
I aim to make 6 trays each week. The little ones will have three each to begin with and then swop over. Abigail (4) has normal trays, whereas I have used the highsided (new!) small cat litter trays, which contains the materials rather well! I include a printable with art supplies, small world tub and puzzle or shape activity. There were also Classification Cards which we used to talk about whether bears were found in grasslands, deserts, oceans or tropical areas.
Abigail was feeling blue having had a nasty cut on her hand, so her lovely big sister Charlotte made a makeshift bed on the floor and tucked her in. Next thing I knew they were going through all the cards, giggling away at all the animals. I LOVE the closeness which homeschooling encourages!


Teddy Bear Tea Party
This theme was perfect for making their own teddy bear tea parties. Almost every day they managed to sneak one in ❤️


We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Sensory Journey
I made a set of sensory trays which the older ones enjoyed playing in as much as the younger ones! (if not more!!):






Bear Themed Food Related Activities
Teddy bear jelly and smashed pineapple lollies; teddy bear shaped muffins; teddy bear toast and honey:



Jelly and Pineapple Pots
Becca and I had some special time alone preparing the jellies to go in the bag. She really loved it and it served as a reminder to me to spend more time alone with her. She followed the instructions I gave her very well and was extremely careful and precise in everything she attempted. It really surprised me. I’m definitely going to have her in the kitchen more!



Plastercast Teddy Bears
I made some plaster cast bears, which I packaged in cellophane bags and hid them in the garden. Giving the children a set of binoculars each, I told them to go on their own bear hunt. I told them they could paint them after our special tea. They were all thrilled:





We’re Going on A Bear Hunt Family Night
Gary and I planned a simple reenactment of the bear hunt, moving through our garden- we have lots of mud, grass, water and trees to use – no snow unfortunately! Thomas agreed to be the bear and Gary was the daddy carrying Becca on his shoulders. The older ones had learnt the book almost verbatum through all their play, so basically narrated it as they moved through the scenes. Our living room has a sofa bed in which we made into a bed with a patchwork quilt. I balanced picnic bags (bear themed of course!) on the head board. Gary and the children, pursued by a bear named Thomas, ran to the living room, then back to the front door to lock Thomas out, and finally back to the living room to reveal this:




Going on a Bear Hunt Muffin Tin Meal
In addition to our fun tea in bed, I also made A4 and B1 a ‘Going on a Bear Hunt’ muffin tin meal:

I did peas with a few sweetcorn for the swishy, swashy grass; I dyed some lemonade blue with some natural food dye ( a huge treat for A4) to represent the cold, deep river; mashed carrots for the squelchy mud; broccoli for the thick forest; white fish in a cheese sauce with extra grated cheese as the swirly snow storm; a baked potato with a hole carved out as the dark cave (I also froze some soft cheese in the bear chocolate mold and popped it inside the cave); and last but not least we made a chocolate bear which I placed on some shredded green paper for the bear.
This was such a great book unit! For more of the same, please do visit my book unit page
WOW! I followed you over from your excellent guest post on All Things Beautiful, but will be following from now on. I love all the hands-on play!
Thanks, Eddie, for the encouragement! I love all the hands on play too!! (My mum always says I’ve forgotten to grow up!)
It was scary for a moment. We almost got caught coming back through the mud!!! LOL. Great fun. I enjoyed it. I missed out on all the fun food though. How did that happen?
We ate it! Sorry!
Can I come round and play? This is great!!
Sure you can, come on over!!
Wow – so creative!
Thank you Rebecca, we did have lots of fun!!
What a great week! thank you for sharing! Sounds great! Feel free to link up @ Learn & Link http://mamato3blessings.blogspot.com/2013/01/goodnight-moon-lapbook-activities.html Have a great weekend!
Thanks, you have a good weekend too!
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt was a favorite book of my older two kids. They both had it memorized we read it so often. I love the stick characters you created so they could play We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. It’s nice that you have activities focused for your little kids and your older ones play too.
I really agree! Watching the older children play with their little sisters is such a pleasure for me. The older girls want to homeschool their children, so I’m glad they enjoy this opportunity to practice!!
What a fantastic week – your blog post makes me want to come and join you. Love all the hands on activities and that meal sounds delicious and well thought out.
We’d love to have you, c’mon over!! Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment!
I love all the bear themed food! This book is on my list to do at some point, thanks for all the great ideas.
We LOVE this book! I’ve rowed it three times now!
You found all kinds of great hands-on ways to incorporate this! The bear food is super cute and I love that they were surprised at the end of their bear hunt!
Their enthusiasm makes all the hard work completely worth it! Thank for taking the time to comment!
I really like the bear activities and featured you this week. http://highhillhomeschool.blogspot.de/2013/01/hobbies-and-handicrafts-jan-18.html
Thank you Julie, that’s so kind!!
Awe looks like you had SUCH a lovely time with the book! So many great ideas.
Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
Thanks Maggy!
This is such a fun book and you’ve added some great resources. Thanks for sharing at The Children’s Bookshelf.
Thank you! I love book link ups – such a great way to pick up new ideas!