By Melissa Grant
A novel idea is making the coronavirus lockdown slightly more bearable for parents of young kids.
In Casey and Cardinia, residents are putting teddies in their front windows so children can go on a bear hunt.
It’s an activity families can do while adhering to strict social distancing rules introduced to halt the spread of coronavirus.
Many people are jumping on board, with the hashtag #putyourteddyout already doing the rounds.
Officer resident Melissa Kleynhans is behind the Facebook page We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – Melbourne.
She said the idea came to her after her four children – three teenagers and a toddler – were going stir crazy being at home all day.
“We have been in self isolation for a few weeks now because I have a friend who is a single mum and is battling cancer … we have been helping her for the last few months.
“Coronavirus would be fatal for her, and we just can’t take that risk.
“My little one loves to go on a bear hunt and I thought I would ask if any locals in my estate – Timbertop – would like to put a bear at their window as a way of creating excitement, joy, and a fun activity for little ones to do.
“Going to the park and touching equipment is not ideal right now, so I thought with social distancing we could go on a walk along the footpath and count a bear or two.”
Within a few hours, Melissa had more than 100 people message her with pictures of their bears at homes in the estate.
She then created a Facebook page where parents could leave a picture of their bear and a rough location of where families could find them.
“The neighbourhood and surroundings have jumped on board and love the idea,” Melissa said.
“We have a 58-year-old bear on display from one of the residents and this brings her joy as her 58-year-old bear is being put to good use.
“It’s wonderful – it gets kids and families outside, it’s safe with social distancing and it keeps our spirits high during this tough time for us all.”
Melissa said some parents were getting creative by making maps to encourage their kids to colour code streets and count the number of bears.
Lang Lang mum of four Lauren Kennedy says the bear hunt idea is bringing plenty of joy to kids in her community.
“We have a lot of kids in our little town, all they have heard of late is the coronavirus and they are so scared,” she said.
“The bear hunt is a little something to get them excited again.
“My kids think it is the best. A lot more people in our town are jumping on board so they are excited every day to hunt more down.”
WHERE YOU’LL FIND THE BEARS…
There are heaps of bears to be found in the Arcadia, Heritage Springs, Lakeside and Timbertop estates. You’ll also find many in Lang Lang.
Have you been on a bear hunt? Let us know where!
