Digital Detectives

1 hour

Intended for 20 guests, grades 4-7

Digital detectives is a scavenger hunt that takes place in the library and incorporates technology.  Sounds awesome, right?  Well, it is.  Guests are given clues, and from there, they need to find the location of their next clue.  Some times, guests are asked to take a picture at a location, or use a QR reader to read a QR code to find their next clue.  Be creative with this!  

Supplies

Paper to write clues on

Prizes for the winning team (if you so choose)

Program

The set up and prep for this program is the most intense part.  After that, it kind of just flows on it's own.  Put on your thinking cap, and get ready to think up some clues for your detectives.  You can see below, that I tried to go more general, and featured a lot of different sections in the library.  This way, while they are scavenging, they are also giving themselves a grand tour.  

I created one set of 14 clues.  I printed out four sets of these 14 clues, each set having its own brightly colored paper.  Each color will be a different team.  (I had 4 teams with 5 members each.)  I numbered each set of clues with a different order.  I went around the library and hid the clues in their respective hiding places.  The brightly colored paper make it some what easy to find once hidden.  

At the start of the program, explain that each team is a different color, and that you are only to take your color clue.  If you take the wrong color, you will miss out on clues and lose.  If needed, also explain how to use the QR reader (I use NeoReader -- very easy and fast!) and take photos with the device.  We use iPads for this program. You can give them one chance to "Ask A Librarian" for help finding a clue, or more if you would like, but the point is to get them to use their detective skills!  Hand each team an iPad and the first clue in their uniquely ordered set. (This way there is not a huge mob all running to one location.)  Once they have their first clue, it is on them to find the next, and so on after.    

The first team to bring back all 14 clues, and take the needed photos wins!  

Below are the clues that I created and used for my Digital Detectives hunt:

If you’re really hungry, you might find some food to make in this book.   [HINT: Remember to include the word “juvenile” in your search]

When you first started reading, you probably checked out some EASY READERS.  Head on over there and find your clue!

Find the GRAPHIC NOVEL section and snap a photo of your favorite hero.  Find your next clue in this area!

If you want to look something up in the library catalogue, this computer might help you.  [HINT: CHECK BEHIND THE SCREEN]

If you don’t want to read a book, you can always listen to a book using one of these…

Tired of the same old books?  Why don’t you try a NEW BOOK!

Something to get the beat bumping?  NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MUSIC!

Coming after the DVD, these “blue” discs boast HD movie viewing capabilities.

Snap a photo of your team playing with some fun toys.  [HINT: CHECK THE PLAYSPACE]  Find your next clue in this area!

Find a book about the state we are in right now!

Check out the video gaming section and snap a photo of a teammate pretending to play.  Find your next clue in this area!

The first QR code shows a picture of the Harry Potter series. 

The second shows a penguin.

The last shows a picture of Mickey Mouse.  

Happy hiding and hunting!