We’re Going on a bear hunt
We’re going to catch a big one
What a beautiful day!
We’re not scared.
Those opening words to this classic children’s story book are as famous as the book itself, and I think along with The Gruffalo , Eat Peach, Pear, Plum and The Hungry Caterpillar they are very memorable and are easily remembered for years after they are first read. As a parent reading it to my own children these stories will always hold a special place in my heart because not only are they enjoyed by them, but I enjoy reading them as much as they do listening to them.
Now Burton is at school he is keen to read and it is so wonderful watching him pick up a book like We’re Going On A Bear Hunt, a book which we have had since he was a baby, and actually read the pages back to me now! I really love to see him turn each page, read the prose and listen to him enjoy being able to entertain Jenson, Daddy and I with his reading.
The boys and I enjoy using a book as a basis as an outdoors adventure and we have already done a couple of Gruffallo Hunts , and I have been meaning to take them on a bear hunt for a while now. Therefore, with this year being the 25th anniversary of Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s classic tale, what better excuse than to take ourselves off on our own bear hunt. During the Easter holidays we visited an ideal location for hunting bears and the boys had a fantastic time exploring the different areas. It is amazing what fun imaginations can spark!
Uh-uh! A river!
A deep cold river.
We can’t go over it
We can’t go under it.
Oh no!
We’ve got to go through it!
Uh-uh! A forest!
A big dark forest.
We can’t go over it.
We can’t go under it.
Oh no!
We’ve got to go through it!
Luckily, or sadly for my boys, we did not find an actual bear as the family does in the book, but we did do lots of swishing and swashing, squelcing and squerching, stumbling and tripping, hoooo-ing and woooo-ing and splashing and sploshing and when we got home we were all very hungry so we decided to have a bear tea party. Burton, Jenson and I had lots of fun making our tea party food:
the boys made some bear shaped bread
we made a bear birthday (anniversary) cake
the boys made their own designs and then I interpreted them as best I could!
green (grass) jelly
bears in a cave cakes
bear crisps
bear babybel cheeses
Snow storm popcorn
(see photos below)
We decorated the table with some special 25th anniversary We’re Going On A Bear Hunt bunting and party head wear and invited a very special guest – big brown bear who behaved impeccably!
After our very busy day it was
…upstairs
Into the bedroom
Into bed
Under the covers
We will go on a bear hunt again!!!
and zonk – asleep within minutes!!
Why not go on a bear hunt or have a bear tea party yourself?
Did you know that this year We’re Going On A Bear Hunt is 25 years old?
To mark this milestone, Walker Books have released special editions of the story, and the anniversary copies of the story are embellised with gold foil, gold bear logos and a special gold sticker, which makes them a perfect gift for all new and old fans of this timeless classic.
As part of the 25th anniversary celebrations Walker Books and Read for RNIB Day are celebrating 25 years of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt with the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ record attempt for the world’s Largest reading lesson. You can find out more here
I have taken part in the Walker Books We’re Going On A Bear Hunt Picture Book Party bloggers tour and you can see what we all got up to by visiting each of our blogs this week
I was sent this rather lovely We’re Going On A Bear Hunt goody bag for the purpose of this post
Ah fabulous memory making stuff!
25 years?!!! Is it really that old? Wow. thanks for reminding of how much I love this book.
And how old I am
Heh heh thank you for reminding ME how old Mummybarrow is too 😉
Love the idea of making a themes day out like this x
What a lovely thing to do to make an event out of this. Your tea party was very imaginative.
Oh this is such a fabulous post. what lovely memories you are making. Shocked the book is 25 years old…wow!
Awww!! Admittedly I love that book just as much as my daughter!! 🙂 Fabulous post!x
my girls love that book! how cute is he sleeping after a tiresome day!
What a fantastic set of activities to celebrate a brilliant book – is it really 25 years old?? Love the pictures too! The bear bread, and the cake look truly delicious! 🙂
Oh I love this post so much – you should make it into an iBook! I was going to ask you where you got the bunting but presume it’s part of the pack. Thanks for linking up with such a gorgeous post.
My girls and I can tell this story, without actually needing the book! Its one of my favourites.
Looks like you had a fabulous time x
We're Going on a Bear Hunt | We’re Going on a Bear Hunt blog tour!
[…] to celebrate 25 years of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, on Mummy Mishaps. Jenny takes her kids on their very own bear hunt, with some amazing bear hunt party food. […]
I think this book holds a special place in most mums hearts, pleased to see you had such fun re-acting the adventure from the book
Using a story is such a great way of inspiring creative and imaginative play! It looks like you all had a fun filled day on the bear hunt. I love the tea party food – especially the bear bread. Thanks for linking up and sharing your lovely photos with Country Kids.
got to be one of the books on everyones favourites list? love the bear bread x
What an amazing adventure, like the book coming to life, and some! I wanna walk across that river – looks fab! Great post Jenny 🙂
What a lovely post. For us it was Room on The Broom, I can still remember all the words! We do love a bear hunt to and it would be our forest walk song when my daughter was younger.
oh yes Room on the Broom – you know as i was writing the post last night I could not think of the other book we adore but that is it! x
This is one of our favourite books to. What fab activities.
I agree, it’s so magical when suddenly they can read these old favourites all by themselves.
We love this book in out house & have been on bear hunts of our own. Fun, happy post…. Love it xx
You look to have had so much fun – I love the food that you made that bear bread is amazing.
What a wonderful day of activities and fun. You should definitely pop over and link up to Damson Lane and the #kidsbookaweek linky with this lovely post xx
Oh my you KNEW I’d love this! Thank you for linking up. Still can’t believe it’s 25 years old.
My son is also started showing some book love! I love all your Bear Hunt activity! Looks so much FUN!
I LOVE that bear bread!
Yum, that tea party looks really good especially the bread.
Mich x
I love how you used this book as an imaginative outdoor adventure! #kidsbookaweek
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Brilliant! I have often used the words from we’re going on a bear hunt to encourage the girls on a long walk. It’s amazing how suddenly some squelching and squerching wakes up tired legs and we often make up our own too – even though mine are getting a bit old for it now! Still loving the bear bread!
That is one fun adventure and a great way to bring the book alive.
I love this book! Your boys look like they love it too. Thanks so much for sharing at the Outdoor Play Party. Hope to see you there again from tomorrow 🙂
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