Stuffed Weasel Toy Theft Game Unites Belgian Town

A stuffed weasel named Plusje is bringing the community of Wezel together this summer, as residents in the neighboring Belgian municipalities of Mol and Balen play an elaborate game of steal-and-hide with the toy in their front gardens. According to VRT NWS, children stand watch at doors while neighbors cycle for kilometers on the hunt, all coordinated through a local Facebook group.

A Summer Game with a Purpose

The game, organized by Buurtwerk Plus (Neighborhood Work Plus), began on July 15, 2026, and runs until August 15 at 3:00 PM. The initiator, Frank Van Vaerenbergh, designed the activity to foster community bonds across Wezel, a neighborhood that straddles the border of two municipalities in the Antwerp province.

“We want the Wezel community to search and get involved in the game, and let the stuffed toy work as a connector,” Van Vaerenbergh told VRT NWS. “This way you get to know your neighborhood and neighbors better.”

How the Game Works

The rules are simple. A stuffed weasel named Plusje is hidden in someone’s garden. Residents must “steal” the toy and hide it in their own garden, then post a photo clue on the Facebook group “Ge zijt van Wezel als.” However, if a resident is caught during the theft, Plusje must be left behind.

“The game started on July 15,” Van Vaerenbergh explained. “We hid Plusje at someone’s home. Since then, everyone can go ‘steal’ the stuffed toy and place it in their own garden. Anyone caught during the theft must leave Plusje behind.”

Whoever has Plusje at the end of the game wins a surprise prize — which the organizers say has a “strong link with Wezel.”

Community in Motion

The game has sparked an enthusiastic response across generations. Marie-Jozef, a resident from Balen-Wezel, has embraced the activity with particular energy. “You have a goal when cycling,” she said. “I constantly keep an eye on the front gardens. Earlier I went out and suddenly I had cycled 6 kilometers.”

She also brought Plusje to a local retirement home, extending the game to seniors in the community.

Young participant Amelie summed up the sentiment: “It’s a fun game. I’m glad we can play this in the summer.”

Perhaps most charmingly, children have taken on the role of guardians. “It’s truly beautiful to see,” Van Vaerenbergh said. “Residents take photos of Plusje in bed, under a blanket or in the living room. Children keep watch at the front door to prevent the toy from being stolen.”

Since the game began, Plusje has had quite the adventure — bouncing on a trampoline, hitching a ride with the postal bus, visiting the airfield at Keiheuvel, and staying at multiple homes in both Mol and Balen.

Bridging Municipal Boundaries

The game’s significance extends beyond entertainment. Wezel is a neighborhood that spreads across two municipalities — Mol and Balen — creating a sense of division for residents. Marie-Jozef noted how the game has changed that dynamic.

“Yesterday I was working in the garden when a family I don’t know walked by and said: ‘Oh, Plusje has been here too,’” she recalled. “Wezel spreads across two municipalities: Balen and Mol. But now with that stuffed toy, we’re back in one world.”

What’s Next

The game continues until August 15, when the resident who holds Plusje at 3:00 PM will claim the mystery prize. The success of this low-tech, high-engagement community activity may serve as a model for other neighborhoods looking to strengthen local bonds — proving that sometimes all it takes to bring people together is a stuffed weasel and a bit of playful mischief.