Many families take walks in their neighborhoods to relieve the day-to-day monotony of sheltering at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Now, they’re playing a safe and entertaining game along with other families and children around the world: the teddy bear hunt.

Thought to be inspired by the 1989 children’s book, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, the game involves finding teddy bears or pictures of teddy bears that people have placed in their windows and counting the sightings.

“She gets so excited when she sees a teddy bear in someone’s window,” said Chelsea King, who lives in West Seattle, about her 21-month-old daughter’s reaction. “We tried to put her bear in our window, but she keeps taking it down, so we colored a picture of a teddy and taped it up.”

Add Stories to Your Family Walk

Check out BookFlix by Scholastic which offers eBook pairings that suggest other activities for family walks.

All you need to use BookFlix is a Library card. Don’t have a Toledo Library card? Sign up for one online and get nearly instant access to eBooks, audiobooks, streaming movies and music and our vast array of databases.

BookFlix: Adventure Category

Henry Hikes to Fitchburg by D.B. Johnson

Henry the bear and his friend decide to travel to Fitchburg. Henry walks to Fitchburg enjoying his journey; his friend works to make money for his trip by train. Who will arrive first and who will have the best trip? D.B. Johnson’s delightful and thoughtful book introduces children to Henry David Thoreau and his ideas about life and nature.

I Like to Exercise by Lisa M. Herrington

This informative Rookie Read About Health selection shows kids how exercise strengthens their bodies, helps them learn and feel good about themselves. Along with a healthy diet, plenty of fluids and restful sleep, exercising in a way that is enjoyable leads to a good life.

And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Erin E. Stead

A little boy, a dog, a turtle and a rabbit venture outside when the earth is still brown and plant seeds. As the weeks pass, the rain and days of sun bring about the miracle of spring. This heartfelt story of patience, hope and regeneration supports us in this time of uncertainty and grief with a message children will want to talk about as we sit reading or walking in nature.

How Do You Know It’s Spring? by Lisa M. Herrington

A Rookie Read About Science selection, this informational book introduces children to nature’s progression from winter to spring. Illustrated with bright photographs of familiar scenes, families can spot their own signs of spring on their safe walks around the neighborhood.

BookFlix: Imagination Category

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

Sylvester lives with his mother and father and loves to collect rocks. One day, he finds a magic pebble, and on his way to tell everyone about its power to grant wishes, he encounters a ferocious lion and makes a disastrous wish. This enchanting story about what’s really important in life reminds us to be here now.

Rock Collecting by Elaine Pascoe

While we’re spotting teddy bears and signs of spring, we can collect rocks. This handy little book tells how rocks are formed and encourages kids to start a rock collection. It provides tips on identifying rocks and shows ways to organize a collection.

Don’t forget to check out ScienceFlix, also offered by Scholastic. It offers a wealth of information about rocks and minerals to support rock collecting.