Rozalla Radchishin was driving near her Asheville, North Carolina home when she stumbled onto a scene that made her hit the brakes — pure, unfiltered joy playing out right in front of her.
At a playground nestled beside the woods, an entire bear family had taken over the equipment. A mother bear and her three cubs were treating the place exactly like a human family might: exploring, climbing and sliding to their hearts’ content.
As Radchishin watched, the cubs raced around the play structure, scrambling up ladders and zooming down slides while their mom kept a close and loving eye on them.
It was a perfect reminder that kids — no matter the species — all play the same.
But playtime isn’t just adorable to witness. For young bears, it’s essential.
“Bears love to play and wrestle with each other!” Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge explains. “When they do this, they are actually developing important skills. Wrestling helps bears learn balance, coordination and strength — and it also teaches them how to interact with one another in gentle, friendly ways. This helps them avoid conflict and stay safe in the wild.”
Soon enough, this sweet little family will settle in for hibernation.
But for now? The playground is open, and the fun isn’t stopping anytime soon.
