Mass teddy bear hunt inspired by Michael Rosen's book keeps lockdown families entertained in New Zealand

A nationwide teddy bear hunt is keeping children entertained during the coronavirus lockdown in New Zealand.

Inspired by Michael Rosen's popular children’s book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, thousands of people have placed the furry toy in their windows for youngsters to find while going for walks around their neighbourhoods.

New Zealand has more than 600 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and residents are living under a set of strict quarantine conditions and can only leave home for essential supplies and fresh air.

To spread a bit of cheer during uncertain times and to keep things interesting, the teddy bears are often put into different positions and outfits each day.

Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has also got involved and put a bear on her window ledge at Premier House, Wellington, where she is in lockdown with her fiancé and toddler.

The national display has also turned into a tribute to Mr Rosen.

The author of the much-loved story is fighting for his life in intensive care, his family has said.

It is not clear if the illness is coronavirus-related.

Although designed with children in mind, the quest has kept self-isolators busy coming up with creative arrangements and giving the community a sense of hope.

For those who don’t have a toy to use, bears have been cut out of card, fashioned out of straw and even drawn on the ground in chalk.

Annelee Scott came up with the coronavirus bear hunt idea and set up a Facebook Group to get others involved and share photos.

She wrote on the page, which now has more than 16,000 members: "I'm sure most of you are familiar with the story "Going on a Bear Hunt". Wouldn't it be totally fun-tastic if we could take our children on a real-life bear hunt?

"All you have to do if you would like to participate is place a teddy bear in your front window - somewhere it can be seen by people walking passed your house.

"Don't worry if you don't have an actual teddy bear, maybe you could draw or paint one.

"Each time you and your children are out and about keep your eyes opened for those teddy bears...you might find a big one.

"Feel free to post pictures of your teddy bears looking out your window or of teddy bears you find while out walking - while practising social distances of course - please include with your picture what town you are in."

One student who is self-isolating with her family said her mum puts out a new scene each day.

“Coming up with ideas is a good time-filler when I finish my uni work,” Jiavra Cohen told The Guardian.

“Mum also enjoys conversing from the porch with our neighbours.”