Summer Scavenger Hunt Fun

A few weeks ago, I asked colleagues on the Imagine Your Virtual Story FB page to share some of their ideas on what they were doing for scavenger hunts this summer. I received some great shares of hunts that can be done offline as well as part of a virtual program. Now that the weather is warmer, there are alot of possibilities to explore!

Many libraries have had fun coordinating community-wide scavenger hunts that ask people to display a certain object (or depiction of the object) in their windows for kids and families to find as they take walks in their neighborhoods. Teddy bears, dinosaurs, flowers, cats, unicorns, horses, trucks and more have been displayed. This kind of hunt lends itself to collaboration with local media (newspapers, radio) and organizations too who can help spread the word.

And scavenger hunts can be much more than looking for specific objects around the house or outside. Think about asking kids to find things of one color or certain shapes. Consider asking them to look for objects that rhyme with a word or specific numbers of objects or that involvs the five senses or letters of the alphabet. The sky can really be the limit!

Birchard Public Library (OH) is a great example of pushing that envelope. They created an ongoing Social Distancing scavenge hunt event page on their FB page. Using the discussion area in the event, they are able to mount multiple scavenger hunts from week to week and month to month that play with what to base a hunt on! Here are just two examples:

Birchard Public Library, Fremont OH

Birchard Public Library, Fremont OH

At the Oak Park (IL) Library, a staffer shared a video with a simple example of a scavenger hunt challenge using her backyard to show kids how she finds the answers.

You can make your own scavenger hunts too! One library said "We live in a very rural community. We are planning a Selfie Scavenger Hunt where they take selfies with structures around the community, like the historical gas pump in our area. I'm hoping we have several teens participate." Other libraries mount the challenge in a library window or in a photo on FB like this library:  

Argyle(WI) Public Library

  

There are also plenty of online examples and templates you can use. At the Argyle (WI) Public Library, they found a template online and are planning to cut out each square, maybe add some colors along the bottom to find, staple to brown bag and set out for the kids to pick up & complete on their own or during one of their story walks.

No matter which way you go, you can engage your community in this passive - but very active- DIY programs, that are perfect for offline as well as virtual fun!

SLP Programming YSS blog COVID-19 series:

• A Reimagined SLP During a Pandemic  9/30/20
• A Look Back at Summer 2020  9/10/20
• Fun Summer Library Activities During COVID-19  7/6/20
• Summer Scavenger Hunt Fun 5/30/20
• Virtual and Offline Programs for Summer and Beyond  5/6/20
• DIY Family Activities for SLP from CSLP 5/1/20
• Virtual Programming & SLP Ideas for YOU! 4/25/20