We're Going on a Bear Hunt: questions to ask and activities to try
Long grass, a river, thick mud and a snowstorm, and a family who keeps going through each one. A joyful read-aloud about getting through hard things together.
What age is it for? We're Going on a Bear Hunt is best for ages 2–6. Good for: Keeping going when something is hard, and facing fears together.
We're Going on a Bear Hunt (Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury)
- Age
- 2-6
- Best for
- Keeping going when something is hard, and facing fears together
Read it aloud with all the sounds: the swishy grass and squelchy mud are half the fun. Next time, pause before each obstacle and ask how the family might get past it. The line “We can't go over it, we'll have to go through it” is worth borrowing for real tricky moments.
Why I like this one
“We can't go over it. We can't go under it. Oh no! We've got to go through it!” I think that line is one of the most useful things a child can carry around, and this book gives it to them without any preaching.
It's best performed, not just read, so do the swishy-swashy sounds properly. Then borrow the line for real life, on a rainy walk or a hard homework sheet. Children often start saying it back to you.
Apoorva, Growing Wise
What it helps with
- Keeping going when something feels hard
- Facing a fear with people you trust
- A phrase to use when you're stuck: “we'll have to go through it”
- Joining in with rhythm and sounds, for younger children
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Which part would you find hardest: the mud, the river or the snowstorm?”
- “They couldn’t go over it or under it. What did they do instead?”
- “How do you think they felt when they saw the bear?”
- “Why do you think they went on the hunt together, not on their own?”
- “What is something hard you got through, a bit like going through the mud?”
- “The bear looks sad at the end. What do you think he wanted?”
5-minute activities to try together
Our own bear hunt
Set up a hunt at home: cushions for mud, a blanket for the river, a table for the cave. Say the words together as you go through each one.
Go through it
Pick something your child finds tricky, like putting on shoes. Say the line together, then break the job into small steps and go through them one at a time.
Free printables: We're Going on a Bear Hunt worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
The Most Magnificent Thing (Ashley Spires)
- Best for
- Frustration, persistence, making mistakes and trying again
- Age
- 4-8
The Koala Who Could (Rachel Bright and Jim Field)
- Best for
- Handling change and unfamiliar situations
- Age
- 3+
The Gruffalo (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Best for
- Feeling scared, and using your wits
- Age
- 3-6
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 6 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.