Kids at the Library: Scavenger Hunts, Gear, Routines & More
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Raise a book lover by visiting the library every week with your kids. Go in-depth with these free printable library scavenger hunt sheets. Visit for story time, for exploring time, for book browsing time, for curl up with a good book time, for computer time, for social time, for book event time. Today’s libraries aren’t just filled with books, they’re filled with technology, community events, media, digital books, and study spaces. As an institution, the library is transforming for the needs of our 21st-century children. Enjoy the benefits of the library with your children and watch as they become passionate book aficionados.
“Medicine for the soul.” – inscription over the door of the Library at Thebes
Routine
Pick a Day. Make your library visits routine. Pick a day that offers a story time for your child’s age, or one that fits in with your schedule.
At Home Library Book Storage. Keep your library books in one place so you don’t lose track of books.
Get a Card. Let your child get his or her own library card! It’s motivation in and of itself. Read “A Library Card of My Own.“
Gear
We think that a flat-bottom tote bag is the best book bag. It’s too dirty to show you a photograph, but I got it at Barnes and Noble on sale. Here are some suggestions your kids might love to carry books in.
Canvas Tote with Front Pocket. Canvas makes this book bag a great option for heavy books; just wash it frequently. This book bag is my favorite because it has a flat bottom.
Microfiber Book Bag I love the little pocket on the outside of this washable, waterproof tote with zipper closure and adjustable handles.
Backpack Book Bag for School or Anywhere If you like your book bags to be hands free, choose a backpack and wear both straps. This is a large backpack with lots of pockets which will give you some options for snacks, water bottles, and your library card.
“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” – Jorge Luis Borges
Library Scavenger Hunt
Go on a Scavenger Hunt – there’s much more to the library than when we were kids – it’s not just books anymore!
Young Kids’ Library Scavenger Hunt (Non-readers)
Click the image below for a large version, printable scavenger hunt.
Older Kids’ Library Scavenger Hunt (Readers)
Click the image below for the larger, printable scavenger hunt.
Play library at home. Make pretend library cards with these free printables from Family Fun. A final thought: Befriend your librarians. These hard-working bibliophiles love their jobs and will be your best resource for new books, topical books, and will make your Library feel like the television show Cheers.
“You see, I don’t believe that libraries should be drab places where people sit in silence, and that’s been the main reason for our policy of employing wild animals as librarians.” – Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Books about the Library
Go to this post to read the best picture books about the library.
LOVE these ideas!! Especially the pretend library card – it’s so cute!
I love your hunt. Your home library idea is awesome.
Great ideas. My local library does a book-themed treasure hunt in the local playground each summer – a great outreach project to invite the kids in the park to stop by the library on the way home.
There is also this great kit called Little Librarian to play librarian at home. It has those old fashioned cards with the folder thingys that you glue to the book. My kids love it.
http://www.pragmaticmom.com/?p=12079
I love the idea of a library scavenger hunt and having pre-printed cards makes it much easier. Guess I would only have to deal with making sure my kids behave!
Great ideas here! I love the idea of a library scavenger hunt. A great way to get my girls away from the princess books section they have discovered.