AN Alex Hills couple are curing children's cabin fever with a teddy bear hunt during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fran and Steve Warfield have placed a teddy bear in their tree and are inviting children and their parents to enjoy some time in the sunshine searching for it on Royal Street.
Ms Warfield said she saw videos of people overseas placing teddy bears in their window and thought she could spread community spirit during these tough times by starting a hunt in the Redlands.
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She said the reward for her effort was in hearing the children's excitement as they walked past her house.
"Having six grand children (away) when one feels even more isolated than ever, I thought it would be wonderful to hear the joy in the kids' voices when they spotted the teddy bear," Ms Warfield said.
"It appealed to me that it would be awesome if someone in their neighbourhood was doing something similar for them. We are now being rewarded with the joyous sound of children spotting the bear.
"We don't have a street facing window, we also have a timber fence out front. The tree made perfect sense...so off I went, grabbed a largish teddy bear, made a tie, added some flowers, and we have 'Ted E Bear' in a tree."
The couple hoped their neighbours would join in on the bear hunt by placing a plush toy in their window or yard.
Ms Warfield said she planned to add more eye catching decorations to her tree as the official school holidays approached.
"On Sunday it was thrilling to hear the children's excited voices as they walked past. It felt like mission accomplished," she said.
"I absolutely think it is a great way to bring some community spirit. Parents out on a walk with their little ones can hopefully keep them entertained bear hunting.
"When my husband and I have been out on our late afternoon walks, we have also spotted a few bears around. Hopefully our own community can get behind this and bring a little joy to everyone."
A Redland Bay man has heeded those words and joined the hunt, placing a teddy bear holding hands with Grumpy in his window.
Children can search for the odd couple on Penzance Drive.
The Redland City Bulletin reminds readers that outside meetings are limited to two people unless they are direct family or household members.
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