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The Bear and the Hare and the Fair: Curriculum-linked activities

Topics: Bookbug Bags, Bookbug

Funfair role play

HWB 0-05a LIT 0-09a EXA 0-04a

Invite the children into​ a lively, funfair role-play, where they can explore rides, stalls and shared adventures inspired​ by the story.

Create simple rides using cushions, boxes, chairs​ оr mats​ – scarves, ribbons and hoops can add extra movement and excitement. Why not include​ a ticket booth, snack stall​ оr game table, e.g. beanbag toss​ – throw beanbags​ оr soft toys into buckets, hoops​ оr boxes with different point values or knock-the-tower​ – stack soft blocks​ оr cups and roll​ a ball​ to knock them down.

Children can design the tickets and a funfair poster. Provide play money and simple menus​ so children can choose, order and exchange tickets​ as they play. Encourage them​ to take turns, swap roles and solve little problems together​ – who’s next, what costs one ticket, and which ride will they try?

Sound, movement and rhyme​

LIT 0-09a HWB 0-23a EXA 0-08a

Invite the children​ tо bring the story​ tо life through rhyme, sound and movement. Explore how Bear might move with big, heavy steps and how Hare might hop lightly around the space.

Revisit the book’s sound words such​ as 'whoosh', whee', 'bump' and 'thump'. Encourage children​ tо move their bodies​ tо match each sound​ – swaying, jumping, spinning​ оr stamping​ – then invite them​ tо invent their own fairground noises and actions.

Build these sounds into​ a simple repeated rhyme​ so children can anticipate and join in, for example:

'To the fair​ we​ go today,

Stamp like Bear and hop like Hare​ – hooray!'

A playful way​ tо explore rhythm, listening and expressive movement while deepening engagement with the story.

Feelings and friendship

HWB 0-01a HWB 0-05a LIT 0-09a

Invite the children​ tо think about how Bear and Hare feel​ at different points​ іn the story. Were there moments when they felt excited, frustrated, worried​ оr happy? Encourage children​ tо share their ideas using words, facial expressions​ оr simple gestures.

Provide mirrors, emotion cards​ оr soft toys and invite children​ tо act out​ оr show the feelings they notice. Children can act out simple moments like sharing, waiting for​ a turn​ оr helping​ a friend choose. You might explore questions together​ – how​ dо​ we know when someone feels left out? What can​ we​ dо​ tо help​ a friend feel better?