TORRINGTON – For parents, the search for safe activities for their children during the COVID-19 pandemic is never-ending. 

Schools and daycares are closed, and it’s tough for youngsters to understand the need for a six-foot distance between them and others. The recommendation to socially distance ourselves is in place until at least April 30, according to President Donald Trump, and that means kids will probably get that much more stir-crazy. 

That means it’s time for a bear hunt. 

Across the world, people have placed stuffed bears and other animals in their windows for kids to find while they’re on a walk or drive with their parents. The kids don’t have to leave the safety of their car or family circle, but the bear hunt can potentially help take their minds off the virus, according to retired teacher and school administrator Diane Nye. 

“I worry that kids are hearing too much about the virus, its spread and the death toll,” Nye said. “I know older kids can understand it but primary age kids are going to be fearful for themselves and their family members. I hope the bear hunt takes their attention away from their fears.”

Sondra Dent hopes the bears in her window can help put children at ease. She said her grandchildren, who live in Rawlins, have already been impacted by the disease and she hopes to provide some fun for kids here in Goshen County. 

“I decided to participate because I have three young grandchildren, they live in Rawlins and are really struggling with social distancing,” she said. “Their librarian’s husband was the first case of COVID-19 in Carbon County, and now the librarian has it. They had been exposed and they are scared and do not understand. 

“So, I thought I would participate and maybe we can provide something fun for all the kids out there struggling also. Teddy bears have been the comforting friends of so many youngsters, I always told my teddy bear my fears and secrets. How appropriate to go on a bear hunt and see how many of your friends, neighbors, co-workers, can show their teddy bears and provide the comfort and distraction for a little while.” 

The bear hunt can be used as a starting point for other adventures, too. Nye said kids could also look for different kinds of bugs, plants and animals on their hunts. 

“I hope that it gives them a sense of adventure when they are outside,” she said. “They can look for insects, budding plants, birds that are migrating back to our area, and listen to the meadowlarks. I hope it gives them a sense of community and fun. It’s fun to participate in something others around the country are doing.”

Easter Egg Hunt

While Easter is right around the corner, the reality of the situation is that most public Easter egg hunts will be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, if they haven’t been already. 

Many of the same families participating in the bear hunt, as well as some downtown storefronts, have come together through social media to launch a social distancing Easter egg hunt. 

From April 1 through April 12, homes and businesses will display paper eggs in their windows for kids to find while on walks or drives. According to Michelle Ogburn, who got the idea to participate in the hunt from a Facebook post, it’s just something fun for kids to do. 

“We were looking for some fun things for them to do,” she said. “We don’t watch the news or anything. We just talk about safety and not to touch things. They haven’t been out of the house a whole lot, so we’re just trying to come up with something fun. 

“A lot of our friends are doing it, too.”