Now Open!

Produced by Strong National Museum of Play in partnership with the Berenstain Family.

Mama, Papa, Sister, Brother, and Honey Bear have moved into their new Bear Country quarters at Strong!  Make tracks to meet them in this exciting, new interactive exhibit straight from the pages of the beloved Berenstain Bears books.

Begin your journey with big bear hugs for life-size sculptures of the lovable, tree-house-dwelling Bear family (don’t forget your camera!).  Then, walk down Bear Country Main Street where you will encounter stores and businesses inspired by the books. You’ll want  to stop by The Bear Country Bank ATM first, to receive Bear Bucks, the official Bear Country currency.

There are so many things to see, do, and be in Bear Country: 

Mama Bear’s Quilt Shop:  Design your own quilt or work at the counter to sell and buy quilts, just like Mama Bear!  Centuries-old quilts from Strong’s collection decorate the shop.

Papa Bear’s Woodworking Shop:  Put on a work apron and build your own creations with pretend tools and wooden construction toys. 

Bear Family Restaurant:  Be a customer or part of the restaurant staff in this pretend diner inspired by Burger Bear.

Dr. Bearson’s Dentist Office:  Don a lab coat and play dentist with a giant set of teeth and oversized dental tools.    

Farmer Ben’s Farm:  Visit a barn, barnyard, and fruit and vegetable stand filled with learning activities.

Brother and Sister Bear’s Club Houses: Make tin-can telephone calls from club house to club house and play silly sentence spinning games.

Bear Country School Art Class:  Create a Berenstain Bears-themed masterpiece to take home or plink out a familiar tune on the Bear Band xylophone.

 

Support for the exhibit is provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and The Davenport-Hatch Foundation.

 

For more information on the Berenstain Bears, visit www.berenstainbears.com. 

 

The Berenstain Bears can be seen on Thinkbright TV on selected PBS stations throughout New York State. For more information, please check your local PBS station.