Smokey the Bear

Smokey the Bear turns 75 on August 9, 2019!! We wanted to celebrate with some fun preschool activities. *A lot of these activities you can use again on B is for Bear day or F is for Fire day.

• Smokey the Bear size match
1. I made some Smokey the Bear stickers - big, medium and small - with my Silhouette Machine and sticker paper (or you can find some fancy, bigger ones here - these are just one size).
2. Make a simple page with different size fires - big, medium, and small
3. Have your child match and cover the small fires with the small Smokey the Bear stickers, the medium fires with the medium stickers, etc.

• Pretend play - putting fires out
1. Use chalk on a sidewalk, driveway, fence or somewhere else to draw little fires.
2. Use a squirt bottle or water gun to “put out” the fires
3. More advanced, tell your preschooler to put out the “pink” fire, or put out the fire above the F (you will have to use different colors and/or add letters for this game)

• Dress up like Smokey the Bear
1. There’s not a lot to Smokey’s outfit…my girls had to add a little extra in fact (a t-shirt, as he doesn’t wear one!). His outfit includes:
• jeans
• a ranger hat, or similar hat, with 'SMOKEY' on it
• a belt, with 'SMOKEY' on it
• a shovel
• bear (or bare 😉) feet!
2. Dressed up as Smokey, have them say out loud Smokey’s slogan – “Only YOU can prevent wildfires”!

• Make a campfire 

1. Talk about fire safety. 
• *If you know a cub scout, or have one in your family like we do, have them pass off one of their requirements and talk about fire safety.
2. Enjoy the campfire. Roast hot dogs and marshmallows while practicing good fire safety!
3. Put the fire out like Smokey has taught: using water, then a shovel, then more water

• Visit your local Forest Service
1. Or look here for local events happening to celebrate Smokey the Bear’s birthday.
2. High-five and take a picture with Smokey, if you can find him!\

• Go on a hike!! Enjoy the forest, and see if you can spot any Smokey signs!

• Look at forest fire pictures and talk about the facts
1. I was a wildland firefighter for two summers and I have some pretty neat videos of forest fires. Google 'wild land fires' and learn about wildland firefighters. 
2. Talk about how 89% of wildfires in 2018 were caused by humans (source: nifc.gov)
3. Once more, reiterate how important fire safety is!

• Smokey the Bear website activities
1. Make a coloring page
2. Make up a story with Smokey
3. Play Ask Smokey

Happy Birthday Smokey!!