The nationwide lockdown due to Covid-19 coronavirus has not stopped communities working together to keep their children entertained.
While they cannot interact with each other, they can go for walks as a family. Households have started putting teddy bears in their front windows so other children, while on walks with their families, can see how many they can spot, all while keeping within the rules for alert level 4.
Facebook groups have been created for different areas, listing the streets taking part and encouraging participants to share photos of their adventures.
Jessica Amos, who runs soft play equipment and bouncy castle hire company My Little Monkeys, set up the Pāpāmoa Bear Hunt Facebook page.
"Lots of people were asking me for activities I could show on our page and someone told me about the bear hunt," she said.
"People wanted it in one particular place where all the streets could be listed so I made a page for Pāpāmoa residents."
Pāpāmoa's Jessica Amos and her son Elliott Amos, 2, are participating in the bear hunt and Jessica set up a Facebook page for Pāpāmoa residents to get involved. Photo / Supplied
Mother of a 2-year-old herself, she said it was great to be able to take him out on an adventure each day.
"With kids, they're always looking for adventures and what kid doesn't love the 'Going on a Bear Hunt' book? I just think it gives them a little bit of joy in their day and I'm going to be taking my son out every day.
"With a 2-year-old in particular, he doesn't understand what's going on at the moment. We want to try to keep it as stress free and as normal as possible. People can go for walks with their kids but we want to make it a bit more exciting, more of an adventure.
For children such as Pāpāmoa's Elliott Amos, 2, the teddy bear hunt is an opportunity for adventure during lock down. Photo / Supplied
"We will be keeping an eye on the restrictions and whether they change or not, I'll keep everyone updated on the page and we've put rules up."
Pāpāmoa East's Jenna Preest is one of the many people who have placed a teddy bear in her front window.
She said she first saw the teddy bear hunt idea on Facebook when she was looking for a distraction from all the "overwhelming" Covid-19 news.
Teddy bear hunts are popping up all over New Zealand to keep children entertained during family walks. Photo / Supplied
"The teddy bear hunt was the first thing I saw and it made me smile. I knew I had to get involved.
"I think it's a lovely gesture for kids and parents alike. If my little precious bundle was a bit older, I would be going on the hunt with her to create happy memories of this tough time."
Pāpāmoa's Jenna Preest and her daughter, 6 months, are helping to spread some joy during lock down by participating in the bear hunt. Photo / Supplied
A Facebook group has also been set up for Rotorua residents. Belinda Heron and her three children have lined their front windows with a range of teddy bears in different costumes.
"I saw it online and just thought it looked really cool. It's so awesome to see people walking past the windows and seeing them so excited. Ours are all the Build-a-Bear ones, they're a bit different with funky outfits.
"It's not just the kids who have stopped, we've had elderly couples stop and have a look as well. I think just knowing, from the inside of our house, that people are walking past and seeing their smiles, it says a lot for the community feel. It's quite heart warming to see all the different people joining in and knowing they're there for each other."
A range of dressed up teddies are front and centre at the Heron household in Rotorua. Photo / Supplied
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has endorsed the teddy bear hunt idea and even said she would consider joining in.
"They might look for teddy bears in windows but as they pass people, keep your distance, don't talk to others, just stay within your bubble," she said.
"And if you're in Wellington and you're walking in a local neighbourhood, you might see one in my window."
