We're going on a bear hunt, we're going to catch a BIG one- Birthday Celebrations.

I can't believe it's this time of the year again but it's party season and Oscar's 3rd birthday has arrived. Recently he's been rather infactuated with the story book 'We're going on a bear hunt' written by Michael Rosen ,we didn't fancy the cost of hiring out a hall or the whole party planning shenanigans so thought we'd have a gathering with friends at home.

We decided to entertain the children with a little activity, a story and a obstacle course running through the garden and fortunately the weather stayed bright and clear for us.

For anyone who hasn't read the book 'We're going on a Bear Hunt' it's a cute and simple story about adventuring outside with the family in search for a bear. The family pass through various obstacles on their walk including swishy swoshy grass, a deep cold river, sticky oozy mud, a forest and a hailing snowstorm before reaching a cave with a grizzly brown bear inside which follows them home.

The children each had a set of binoculars (2 toilet roll middles covered with wrapping paper) which they decorated with stickers, this activity was a nice interactive way to start the party and gave the children the perfect tool for 'bear watching'.

We took great inspiration from Pinterest and Mudpie Fridays for putting our party together and for some fabulous activities to fill the afternoon, they are both full of creative ideas for a bear themed party.

We watched 'We're going on a Bear Hunt' the animated version so that each of the children were aware of the story before we started.

Then outside was our bear hunt obstacle course, we recreated all the scenes from the book for the children to walk through and to find the bear hidden in the garden.

The children seemed a bit apprehensive to start, but once out in the fresh air they throughly enjoyed the course and playing outside.

The food buffet was bear themed ,with Pom Bear crisps, Billy Bear sandwich ham, Barny Bear cake bars and even an 'Oscar the Bear' birthday cake (thanks Sainsburys)

Rather than gift bags we gave each of the children a bear themed book to take home which we ordered from The Works.  The Works have an online offer £10 for 10x children's books and we loved the idea of the kids taking home a story to keep and enjoy.

I think we're well and truly 'beared out' for the day but hope all the children had a wonderful time.

We're pleased to say that the binoculars and brown bear have now been donated to a local preschool so more children can enjoy the fun and adventures of keeping on the look out for the brown fuzzy bear.