Social distancing is the best tool we have to flatten the curve and slow the spread of coronavirus, but it can be especially tough for kids as they transition from seeing their friends each day at school and playdates to suddenly feeling locked up inside the house. To help entertain and engage little ones during their time outside, neighborhoods around the world have been hosting Bear Hunts. They can be a great distraction for children and parents alike, and it's a way to foster community closeness despite physical distance.

No, it's not big grizzlies or mama brown bears, but cute, friendly stuffed animal bears, peeking out from behind your neighbors' curtains. The game seems to have been inspired by the classic children's book We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, which tells the story of a family adventure where they overcome small obstacles during their search for a bear.

The game works similarly to I-Spy or a scavenger hunt, and gives littles ones something else to do during their daily walk.

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To the parent (it’s gotta be a parent) who came up w/ this idea, THANK YOU. Explaining to a 4yr-old why playdates aren’t allowed anymore is heartbreaking, so “Going on a Bear Hunt” during our walks is the distraction we needed. Our street right now:#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/aOhSlmJsVJ — Daniele Hamamdjian (@DHamamdjian) March 22, 2020

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To the parent (it’s gotta be a parent) who came up w/ this idea, THANK YOU. Explaining to a 4yr-old why playdates aren’t allowed anymore is heartbreaking, so “Going on a Bear Hunt” during our walks is the distraction we needed. Our street right now:#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/aOhSlmJsVJ — Daniele Hamamdjian (@DHamamdjian) March 22, 2020

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The Hamptons/Old Woodlands neighborhood started a family bear hunt (social distancing-compliant). @DarePBailey is our enthusiastic lead bear hunter. Most people put teddy bears in their windows, but this one got free. pic.twitter.com/RCEiRYuTi6 — Rhodes Bailey (@RhodesBailey) March 21, 2020

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A lady went around my estate today and asked people to put a teddy bear in their front window because she’s organizing a bear hunt for her kids and that’s the cutest thing that’s emerged from this week of isolation — laura ☘️✨ (@whiskeyformayor) March 21, 2020

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Getting a walk in as cabin fever is starting to set in for us. All while ‘going on a bear hunt’ while our neighbourhood has fully have gotten into. We’ve got 4 bears saying Hi to the local kids #GoingOnABearHunt #PutYourBearsOut #SocialDistancing #StayAtHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/R0STVkTMlo — Bec ⁷ (@bekkles86) March 24, 2020

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More than 50 homes in our neighborhood have put bears in their window so parents can drive younger kids around to find them. The activity pairs with the Bear Hunt book. #NKlearnsathome #goingonabearhunt pic.twitter.com/G6HnyIjgPF — Lauren (@LOpett_VA) March 24, 2020

If you live in a community with young children, consider putting a bear in your window. You can alert families in the area about the game through community message-boards or apps like NextDoor, or by posting with the hashtag #GoingOnABearHunt on Twitter.

Happy hunting!

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Kelsey Hurwitz Assistant Digital Editor Kelsey Hurwitz is the assistant editor of WomansDay.com, and covers entertainment, holidays, pets, and good news.

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