The Polar Bear is Sleeping
A game in the snow that challenges children's reaction time, visual perception, and spatial awareness.
- 3-10 years
- Group size: 5+
- Duration: 20 min
- Alternative physical activities
- Competitive game
- Snow / ice
- Skis
Find an open field or an ice surface, and mark off the play area by placing four poles or cones at the corners (approx. 20 × 20 meters). Choose two volunteers to be the polar bears. They squat in the middle of the area. All participants walk in the same direction around the polar bears and sing «Isbjørnen søv» («The Polar Bear is Sleeping» or «The Bear is Sleeping»). Anyone outside the marked area when the polar bears «wake up» automatically becomes a polar bear. The last person caught can be a polar bear in the next round and choose a partner, or choose two new polar bears.
Tip: If it's difficult to play the game with skis on, you can take off one ski. The game is well-suited for getting accustomed to skiing and skating.