Bear hunt
“We’re going on a bear hunt. We’re going to catch a big one. What a beautiful day! We’re not scared.”
One of the most fabulous children’s books we have is Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt“. I know many children who become slightly obsessed with this book and need to have it read to them every night. Next time you take your toddlers or preschoolers to the zoo read this book to them before hand and then take along a note pad and pen and have a bear hunt through the zoo, listing the different bears that you come across. For slightly older children, talk about where the bears have come from, what they eat and how they live in the wild compared to how they are displayed at the zoo.
You might need to explore your local zoo’s website before hand to find out what species of bear you will find, or speak to a zoo keeper when you get there before setting out on you bear hunt.
Some other bear resources include:
Bear content from the Animal Planet website.
Bears.org has a list of species, bear myths, and further links.
You can get alerts when we publish so you'll never miss a post.
Kiddley uses and recommends 
I love this book!!
Liane June 29th, 2006 12:37
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is one of my favorite books. I definitely recommend it. Thanks for all the great ideas. My son and I made the alien paper dolls. We had such a good time together.
Wendy June 29th, 2006 12:42
Just make sure it’s not mating season. My son is still freaked out from our last visit to the Polar bears.
Lotta June 29th, 2006 14:54
My toddler (Jacob) loves this book, and yes, it had to be read every night for months in a row after he first got it. Now returning home from anywhere becomes a re-enactment of the last few pages when Jacob will suddenly start tip-toe-ing before freezing, screaming “A Bear!”, after which we all have to dash madly down the street, down the path, in the front door, into the bedroom and under the doona. We have had to convince him that actually the bear was friendly and just wanted to play and drink a cup of tea after he started having ‘bear-nightmares’.
faith June 29th, 2006 15:19
we also love to sing it as a song and do the actions
kathreen June 29th, 2006 16:26
We have Bear Hunt on CD from the library and listen to it in the car….my guys love (LOVE) it! I think we’ve checked it out 4 times now, I just need to buy it because they love it so much. Especially the swishy swashy grass part. My boys are going to have an English accent if we listen to it much more…which wouldnt be a bad thing, LOL!
Eren June 29th, 2006 22:54
There was an episode of Dora the Explorer where they were going on a berry hunt, and sang the song but with the word “berry” instead of “bear.” I thought it was pretty funny when they said “we’re not scared.” As if there is something to fear about berries.
Christy June 29th, 2006 23:01
Coincidentally, we had a phone call from the police last night stating that there have been several black bear sightings in our neighborhood in the last week (outer Boston suburbs).
Totally different type of experience.
korinthe June 29th, 2006 23:30
Yes, this book is a winner. We haven’t got it at home but it’s at childcare.
jen June 30th, 2006 15:07
This is one of daughter’s favorite bedtime books! She’s 2.5 and I am also teaching her an action song version that I used to sing with my 2nd grade students.
Joy July 1st, 2006 04:52
I love that book! Completely forgot about it so i will definitely be buying it for my 4 year old
Thanks for the reminder!!
Suzanne July 9th, 2006 01:39
I never had the book. but used to have an record by Alison McMorland (with the Excelsior Band) called ‘Funny Family’ that had the song on it – used to love it!
emerald July 20th, 2006 05:41
we always read this book! my niece love it!
vamos a cazar un Oso!!!
Verito July 24th, 2006 08:29