Looking for gnomes and an LFL Scavenger Hunt near you?
LFL Scavenger Hunt Coordinator’s Instructions
Coordinating a Little Free Library Scavenger Hunt brings the community together and allows people to get out of the house and take a break from screens while still being socially distant. Pictured above is a Little Free Library Scavenger Hunt in Snoqualmie, WA.
How it will work (An Overview)
You have landed here because you are interested in Little Free Library Scavenger Hunts. We don’t have a date set up for the next global scavenger hunt but you can create one at any time in your community if you like! Make sure you are signed up to get our emails so you get notified the next time we coordinate a bigger event. If you are looking to coordinate with a group of LFLs you will want to use our Detailed Coordinators Guide for instructions on how best to do this. You will need to use Google docs, Google Maps and Canva to participate and access our templates and documents. We also have some simpler options for arranging an activity at just one LFL or a different type of location (see HERE for details on those options).
Prior to the LFL Scavenger Hunt (now until the event date)
1) Pick your stops - Check the LFL map, local LFL Facebook groups and also any you spot in your area. Choose five to ten stops that are in walking/biking distance or a short drive. More than 15 stops is often too long for people. Don’t have many LFLs in your area? See if a bookstore, library or other businesses would be interested (ie a yogurt shop might hand out mini cups). It’s nice to include community businesses and there are fun ways to make temporary LFLs for the day (see below).
2) Start communicating with other LFL owners and get them on board - Some LFL owners have listed their email on the LFL map. You can email or hand deliver a letter and event promo flyer. When you go to deliver the flyer and letter, we recommend handing it to people or putting it in their mailbox rather than the LFL which may not get checked.
As a coordinator, you will need to:
Let us know - you want to coordinate the hunt and that will put your city on the map! (Only necessary when we are doing a global event)
Set your route - contact other LFL owners and determine who will be included on your scavenger hunt.
Order Smartphone Nap-sacks - people can put their phones inside while they participate in the hunt. This is an optional item. Please note, as of Nov 2021 we are charging a small fee to cover bag costs.
Promote it - edit the flyer and then put a copy on each LFL on the route in advance of the event. You can also post flyers in public spaces and social media.
Tailor the instruction sheet - add a list of the addresses of all participating LFLs and then place this on each LFL. You may want to add a map and instructions for event day (you can email these to participants if you prefer).
Get a clue - download and print out the clues you would like to use. Then get one to each LFL owner to be taped to their LFL for the event.
Communicate with LFL owners - to make sure they are reminded of the date, have books out etc.
When the hunt begins, people can follow the clues and collect books along the way or just do the scavenger hunt if they want a totally contactless, Covid-safe event. You can post the answers on one of your LFLs or email them to people if you prefer. There will also be information on the instruction sheet that will tell them how to check their answers online.