Bear Themed Unit: Create a Bear Cave

No bear unit is complete without a discussion about hibernation. For young students going a step further and creating a bear cave to tuck in the corner of the classroom brings your unit to life and enhances your dramatic play area or provides a quiet area for reading.

One Large Box
Select a large cardboard box approximately 3 feet by 3 feet for the cave. You can often find boxes at appliance centers and department stores, but always call ahead. Many break the boxes down for recycling soon after they arrive-but are more than happy to save them for you.

Prep the Box
Fold back the loose ends of the box and cut the flap off with a sharp knife. Seal the edges with packing tape. This prevents the box from collapsing with use and eliminates worries about active play.

Make the Opening
Trace a large oval opening on one side with a marker to create the entrance to the cave. Use a sharp knife to cut the opening. Smooth jagged edges with your fingers or a pair of scissors.

Paint the Bear Cave
Line the floor with a drop cloth or tarp and place the cave in the center. Provide students with large paintbrushes and a bowl of brown school paint and let them paint the outside of the box to look like a cave. Providing several shades of brown enhances the appearance of the cave and allows kids to express their creativity. Allow the cave to try overnight.

Tuck it Into a Corner
Select an out of the way area for the bear cave, or place it in the reading area. This can very effective when children are provided with a selection of book about bears. Allow kids to take turns reading inside the cave or simply use it as part of a dramatic play area.

Ideas for Use
Young children enjoy acting out stories and may enjoying taking turns hibernating at the appropriate time during story time.

Serve dried berries and nuts as a snack while discussing the eating habits of bears.

Preschool classrooms may wish to allow the student of the day to spend time in the cave, use it as a reward for good behavior or to practice retelling the story.

How you choose to use your bear cave is up to you, but allowing kids free time for imaginative play is sure to be a big hit in any preschool classroom. With careful observation, you can assess just how much your students have learned.