Kids are at home and parents are looking for ways to keep them happy, healthy and socially engaged in uncharted territory brought on by COVID-19 school closures.

ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 why Dawn Beaudoin Radix has launched a city-wide scavenger hunt meant to lift youngsters' spirits SA国际影视传媒� while practising social distancing at the same time.

Following the lead of a social media-driven initiative thatSA国际影视传媒檚 quickly spread across the globe, Beaudoin Radix has organized a SA国际影视传媒渢eddy bear huntSA国际影视传媒� in Yellowknife.

Participating residents are placing stuffed animals on their front window sills so that children and their families SA国际影视传媒� driving or on foot SA国际影视传媒� can hunt down as many teddy bears as they can find.

Beaudoin Radix has four young children at home. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e out of school and canSA国际影视传媒檛 play with their friends, leaving her grappling with how to offer comfort SA国际影视传媒� and explanations SA国际影视传媒� in difficult and uncertain times.

SA国际影视传媒淗ow can I make this easier on the little people?SA国际影视传媒� Beaudoin Radix asked herself.

She soon had an answer. Noticing the impact another community bear hunt had on her hometown in Newfoundland, Beaudoin Radix took to Facebook earlier this week to start her own event.

In a few days, she said up to 200 people have joined.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 ballooned. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 huge,SA国际影视传媒� Beaudoin Radix told SA国际影视传媒. 

SA国际影视传媒淭o know itSA国际影视传媒檚 bringing joy to people in such difficult times SA国际影视传媒� it makes me happy.SA国际影视传媒�

Residents are posting teddy bear photos on Beaudoin RadixSA国际影视传媒檚 Facebook page, and sheSA国际影视传媒檚 compiling a list of streets where the stuffed animals can be found.

Even people without kids are reaching out to tell her theySA国际影视传媒檙e participating, said Beaudoin Radix.

SheSA国际影视传媒檚 encouraged by the outpouring of support, but not necessarily surprised, she said.

A city resident of 12 years, sheSA国际影视传媒檚 seen how Yellowknifers come together in times of need SA国际影视传媒� particularly when citizens rallied behind people displaced in 2018SA国际影视传媒檚 devastating Rockhill Apartments fire.

For Yellowknife teddy bear hunters tracking down sightings on foot, Beaudoin Radix is stressing the need to practise the social distancing protocol.

The hunt will run until the end of the month.