A bear in Yarraville, Melbourne, holding the classic children's picture book. Credit:Jess Rogalsky And in Australia, with more and more children at home, families are getting involved as a way to make isolation and social distancing restrictions more bearable for their kids. The hashtag #putyourteddyout is gaining momentum. While health authorities are encouraging Australians to stay at home as much as they can, going for a walk or doing some exercise outdoors is allowed as long as it is not done in large groups and there is a distance of 1.5 metres with other people. Alice Gibson's three children - Fergus, 8, Harley, 6 and Lorelei, 4 - have taken to the bear hunt idea with gusto. The children, who live in Wantirna in Melbourne's east, started school holidays on Tuesday. Ms Gibson, who had to cancel the family's planned trip to Port Macquarie, saw the bear hunt idea spring up on Facebook and told her kids.

"They loved it. They ran straight to their rooms, grabbed their teddies and thought it was a great idea," she said. Geoff the koala now sits in their front window, and Harley drew a map showing where he saw bears on his Monday afternoon walk. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video "It's just really fun, we went for a walk yesterday and they were looking at everything. It's something you can do with the kids you don't have to think of," Ms Gibson said. "At the moment everyone is worrying about not letting the kids get behind [at school] and this is a fun, happy thing. You are still connected while you are isolated."

Kerri Ann Monroe, from Penrith in Sydney, is caring for five children - two are immunocompromised which effects the functions of their lungs and three have asthma - so she jumped at the idea of a kid-friendly activity which still taught her kids about social distancing. She set up a Facebook page to share pictures from across the country and in less than a day it's garnered more than 1000 followers. Kerri Ann Monroe is caring for five children, including two who are immunocompromised. She put bears in the window from the Kids Cancer Project and CareFlight. Credit:Kerri Ann Monroe "School has given the kids a curriculum we can follow at home, things online, but I still want them to be active," she said. "It’s making me feel a bit better. There is so much negativity on Facebook all the time and people are so stressed … I’m trying to be as positive as I can."

Croydon Hills primary school teacher and mother-of-four Kate Mercer started a bear hunt group on Facebook. Credit:Kate Mercer Melbourne primary school teacher and mother-of-four Kate Mercer has also started a Facebook group and has been overwhelmed by the response. "It’s an idea that appeals not only to the children in our neighbourhoods but also to many elderly people, many of whom have jumped on the teddy bandwagon and put teddies in their windows," she said. "It costs nothing, it doesn't rely on any technology and it brings joy to others."

A look at some of the bears across Australia Alana Firth said the bear hunt was up and running in Parkdale, Melbourne. Credit:Alana Firth I don’t have young children anymore, but I read this book A LOT back in the day, and we have young children in our street that I hope will enjoy the hunt. It’s so beautiful to see so many people getting on board with it. Alana Firth in Parkdale, Melbourne Lauren Clinton with her sons Macsen, 6, and Rupert, 3.5 years. Credit:Lauren Clinton We are remaining positive and I just love the fun creative time with my kids. We called them 'smiles for the neighbours'. Lauren Clinton with her sons Macsen and Rupert in Montrose, Melbourne

Kylie Annisleigh made a recycled paper bear in Sheidow Park, South Australia. Credit:Kylie Annisleigh Ted. E. Bear was made to represent all those "across the nation who are working tirelessly to brighten the days of children and families during these difficult times". Kylie Annisleigh in Sheidow Park, South Australia Bears in the window in Doreen, Melbourne. Credit:Danielle Fatchen This is a great idea to keep the young, and young at heart smiling. Danielle Fatchen in Doreen, Melbourne Billy up in a tree in Mitcham, Melbourne. Credit:Linda Hum

If we can put a smile on kids faces and put their minds on something other than this strange world we now live in, it would be fantastic. As a mother of a child with anxiety, I know what this situation is doing to so many - adults and kids alike. Linda Hum in Mitcham, Melbourne Sign up to our Coronavirus Update newsletter Get our Coronavirus Update newsletter for the day's crucial developments at a glance, the numbers you need to know and what our readers are saying. Sign up to The Sydney Morning Herald's newsletter here and The Age's here.