Detailed Coordinator’s Guide - Little Free Library Scavenger Hunts
Welcome!! We are so excited you are here. Get ready to help your community connect IRL. If you are interested in coordinating a scavenger hunt in your community of Little Free Libraries then you are in the right place.
Before you get started - You will need to use Google docs, Google Maps and Canva to participate. *Note - When using Google documents, do not request edit access but rather you can view it, make a copy and save with a new name and then start editing! We also have some simpler options for arranging an activity at just one LFL or a different type of location (see HERE for other 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 an 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. You can track your stops here.
3) Order Smartphone Nap-Sack bags to hand out to participants - *As of Nov 2021 we are no longer able to supply free bags but you can purchase bags by becoming a Community Member if you like. In addition, due to high shipping costs, bags are only available for US participants. We do have some DIY options for making and decorating bags if you want to add this feature.
4) Create a list of all your stops - Use this template and add your own addresses. Print and cut it (2 to page), then you can laminate and write in the date of your next event. Post it on each LFL on your route. This can be left up for an ongoing basis if you participate in more than one hunt.
5) Post the event promo flyer on all confirmed LFLs and send an email to the LFL Stewards so they can prepare- edit as needed this SAMPLE EMAIL. Please attach the Promo Flyer (choose the theme you are using):
or the NEW DRAGON CLUES.
6) Make copies of the participant instruction sheet- participants can pick up this sheet at your (or another LFL) to use during the scavenger hunt or you can email it to them. You may want to add a google map showing your stops.
7) Decorate - Decorating helps build excitement around the theme. People have added gnomes, fairies, nocturnal creatures and painted rocks with inspirational messages. See below for some ideas.
8) Promote it - Hands down the most important part of promoting your event is to have flyers posted on each LFL (preferably at least 2 weeks before your event). In addition, posting flyers at libraries and community bulletin boards and sending info to local papers/news sources will boost your event. Here is a Media Alert and Social Media Guide to help promote your event.
Please upload any prep or "day of" photos HERE so we can continue spreading the word about how much fun it was to unplug and do the scavenger hunt!
The NDU team will also be coordinating with the press in certain cities, so let us know if any journalists reach out. Want to take it further and get your city council on board? Check out this sample Proclamation from Green Acres Florida!
9) Pick your Clues - Choose your clues based on your theme as mentioned above. You can download each clue that you want to use and email one to each stop or better yet, have one person go around to post them all the morning of the event. If you email the clue, remind people not to put up the clue in advance of the event.
10) Put out Smartphone Nap-Sack bags - If you have ordered/received bags, add the postcard inserts (included with shipment) and place them next to or inside the LFL as a gift to your visitors. Don’t worry about this if you didn’t get bags.
11) Two days prior, send a reminder to LFL owners - remind them to print out and tape up their clue, to have books, and any other items (giveaways, hand sanitizer etc) ready.
Day of the Event
13) Saturday (or Date TBD) - Check in with your fellow LFL owners if needed. You can make the scavenger hunt available for as long as you want. We suggest at least one week. Make sure to leave a copy of the instructions and LFL stop addresses posted on the LFLs so that people can participate even if you run out of flyers.
14) POST EVENT - Photos/highlights & awards - Please send us your pics!!! While we want everyone to enjoy the time away from their screens, this is an awareness campaign and we do appreciate your photos. We will be giving out awards for - best theme, most creative kids hunt, etc and we will need something that we can judge! That said, please upload any prep or "day of" photos HERE
SOME USEFUL LINKS:
THE EXTRA’S
Decorating is not a requirement but if you’re interested we have many resources for any LFL stops that would like to decorate, make additional crafts for giveaways or as activity kits that kids can do at home. Check these ideas out!
DECORATING IDEAS & LIGHTING
Whether the theme of your hunt is nocturnal creatures, gnomes or farm animals you can check the hobby, dollar, thrift or online stores for characters or other fun stuff. Want lighting? Use a string of holiday lights, get a battery operated stick on tap light or fairy twinkle lights with a timer. Jennifer Bourquin has a lighted LFL in North Park San Diego (pictured here) that has a small container for a “Dog Library”, and a “Kindness Box” filled with book marks, pencils, erasers, pet rocks, bouncy balls, reading buddies (little toy animals).
If you’d like to print a description of why you started the LFL you can write something up or just copy what’s listed on the LFL map and then post it out by your library. People like to know the backstory of LFLs.
DIY PHONE STORAGE BAGS
If you aren’t able to order phone storage bags above or want something different, here are some alternatives, including a way to order plain bags and iron on our new design. You can even let people use markers to color in the design for personalization if they want.
STORAGE FOR EXTRA BOOKS OR MOBILE LFL’S
If you have a tiny LFL and want to put out extra books for the hunt or you know someone who may want to participate but doesn’t have the ability to put a permanent structure up, here are some ideas. Put out plastic bins, a basket, old chest or other creative holders. Check out these mobile LFLs for ideas using interesting pet carriers and doll tents (pictured above). Heidi Fenner of Manton Michigan uses a crate when she is camping. This is great for a business or someone who has an apartment or HOA that won’t allow a permanent LFL. Get creative!
DECORATING - Gnome Theme
It adds a great element of fun to hide gnomes (or even gnome doors). You can have a gnome hunt just at one stop or you can hide a certain number of gnomes along the route. Then have people enter their guess as to how many are hiding on the Participant sheet or a slip of paper (or even email you their answer). You can do a raffle to pick a winner. Alternatively, you could put a name of each gnome on a little flag alongside the gnome (Gnomeo, Sherlock Gnomes, Gnomeister), then ask people to record each name they see and turn in their answers at the last stop or via email. There may even be other fun ways to do it. Get creative and keep us posted as to how it goes!! Depending on the property and the area, you may need to place gnomes up high so they aren’t taken or use gnome cutouts. If you decide you want to do this activity, as the LFL route coordinator, you’ll want to email people to see who might want to participate. Here is a flyer that can be used. Email claudia@nationaldayofunplugging.com if you want a version to edit.
ORDERING GNOME BOOKS
If you would like to order some books for participants or to use as prizes as well you can check out these fun Gnome-related titles from Simon & Schuster:
GNOME/FAIRY CRAFTS
Looking for activities for people to do at a stop? Here are some ideas from Pinterest for building gnome or fairy gardens or related crafts to add to the mystique around your LFL. You can also check out these Gnome and Fairy Bookmarks you can download onto card stock, laminate and cut out.
Gnome Notes
For our gnome theme we have added a fun way for kids to get credit for their time unplugged, to support a worthy cause and engage in good old fashion letter writing.
Download these Gnome Notes and kids can write to Gnomer Simpson (and get a letter back!) and start tracking their time unplugged. For every 30 min unplugged we will donate 3 pairs of socks to Knock Knock Give a Sock program.
DECORATING - Nocturnal Creatures Theme
For the Nocturnals creatures theme there is a fox craft that is pretty easy to make as well as some other ideas you can find here on Pinterest.
The Author and her team have created some fun items that can be found through the The Nocturnals world. -They have an activities page. You can find face painting instructions or download 3 masks that kids can cut, color and put on a popsicle stick. If you feel so inclined, you can precut out these items and have them available as an activity at your event or for them to take home to complete it later.
DRAGON CRAFTS & DECORATIONS
Check out these fun 15 Dragon Crafts for kids to make from Artsy Craftsy Mom or perhaps you want to make a dragon cake with your kids? Here is are instructions on how to make that happen. Try dragon rock painting like Noele Hall of Canada. Lastly, here is a template for some Dragon Bookmarks you can print on thick paper to hand out to kids.
Conversation Starters About Screen Time
Here are some flyers you can use as conversation starters regarding how much time people spend on screens. We don’t want to lecture people about their screen time use but this may get people thinking about the topic a little. Use it if you feel it would work with your participants.
Questions & Answers
1. Are the clues progressive and do people have to go in order or can they jump around? the clues are not dependent upon one another and people can do them in any order they like. You can have people start at one location or anywhere they like. If you have them start at one location (where all info is handed out) it reduces waste but it is up to you.
2. Do participants have to finish all the clues? They do not have to finish unless you want to work that into your own hunt route. They can even do some one day and some later that week if everyone keeps the clues up (which we encourage you to do). The answers can be covertly posted at the first (or a last stop if you have one designated) and will be available online as well.
3. Can I add a creature (Gnome, Fairy, Nocturnal Creatures etc) to the hunt in addition to the clues? YES, and we hope you will. It adds a great element of fun to hide any of the creatures mentioned along the route. You can keep it to one stop or hide characters along the route and then have people enter their guess as to how many are hiding on a slip of paper (or email you their answer). Then do a raffle for a winner. Alternatively, as an example of what you can do with gnomes, you could put a name of each gnome on a little flag alongside the gnome (Gnomeo, Sherlock Gnomes, Gnomeister), then ask people to record each name they see and turn in their answers at the last stop or via email. There may even be other fun ways to do it. Get creative and keep us posted as to how it goes!!
4. What are some ideas for running a Raffle for my hunt? There are several ways that you can run a raffle for your event. It can either be just for participation or adding in a gnome/Fairy/Nocturnal creatures hunt. Consider approaching local businesses who might donate a coupon or item you can use. Here are some options for running the raffle:
Participation raffle - people enter name and email/number on slip of paper at one of the stops (no need to finish, turn anything in etc.).
Finishing the Clues raffle - they would need to drop their completed participation form into a box for a drawing at the first or a later stop. You could let participants email it to you if stops are too spread out if you don’t mind a little “plugged-in” time.
Gnome/fairy/nocturnal creatures hunt raffle - have them count the total # of gnomes, fairies etc they spot but just at one stop.
However you do the raffle, you can have people arrange to pick up their prize from you at your convenience.