Storytime: Puzzles, Scavenger Hunts & Mysteries

by | Jul 5, 2024 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 comments

Mysteries, scavenger hunts, and puzzles are not only great fun for both you and your child, but they also build critical thinking, problem solving and social skills. So, pull out a puzzle or go on a nature scavenger hunt together. When reading a book with a mysterious plot, help your child to look for clues in the illustrations or text and then make a “who-dunnit” deduction before the final reveal at the end.

Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Ages 2-5

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

Tip

“Child-adult relationships that are responsive and attentive—with lots of back and forth interactions—build a strong foundation in a child’s brain for all future learning and development. This is called “serve and return,” and it takes two to play!” – https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/5-steps-for-brain-building-serve-and-return/

 

Activity

Try to observe a “serve” from your child. Did she point at something or make a sound or facial expression? Then “return” the “serve” with an acknowledgement, hug, smile, etc. Try this a couple of times a day. When you return a “serve”, your child knows that their thoughts and feelings are understood.

 

Books Presented

Book cover for Where Oliver Fits by Cale Atkinson

Where Oliver Fits by Cale Atkinson

Oliver has always dreamed about where he will fit. Will he be in the mane of a unicorn? The tentacle of a pirate squid? The helmet of an astronaut? When he finally goes in search of his perfect place, he finds that trying to fit in is a lot harder than he thought. But as with any puzzle, a little trial and error leads to a solution, and Oliver figures out exactly where he belongs.

Book cover for What About X?: An Alphabet Adventure by Anne Marie Houppert

What About X?: An Alphabet Adventure by Anne Marie Houppert

Ready to go on a camping trip with the Alphabet Academy? F packs fishing poles. J has juice boxes for everyone. T tackles a tent. But X can’t think of a thing to bring!

Book cover for Secret, Secret Agent Guy by Kira Bigwood

Secret, Secret Agent Guy by Kira Bigwood

When a 007-year-old embarks on a bedtime mission called Operation Lollipop, he’s prepared for every eventuality–except one.

Book cover for Hornswoggled!: A Wacky Words Whodunit by Josh Crute

Hornswoggled!: A Wacky Words Whodunit by Josh Crute

Deer wakes up to find one of his antlers is missing…and there’s a tennis racket in its place? One by one his friends also uncover that their important items from glasses to lucky boots have been swapped with silly, useless replacements like donuts and swim flippers. They’ve been hornswoggled! (Hornswoggled means tricked.) It’s pure poppycock! (Poppycock means nonsense.) Once they gather together to find out what happened, will they find the true thief or be outfoxed? Laugh along with a hilarious cast of animal characters searching for the mysterious trickster in this humorous whodunit bursting with exciting, wacky words that kids will love.

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

The Very Last Puzzle Piece

Who has the very last puzzle piece? 
_______ has the very last puzzle piece!
Who me? 
Yes you! 
Couldn’t be! 
Then who? 
_______!

Source: Cooperative Summer Library Program

Where is Thumbkin?

Where is Thumbkin? 
Where is Thumbkin?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you today, sir? 
Very well, I thank you,.
Run away, run away.

Verses: Where is pointer?
Where is tall man?
Where is ring man?
Where is pinky?

Source: Jbrary

The ABCs in 5 Different Tunes

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
London Bridge
Mary Had a Little Lamb
This Old Man
Head, shoulders Knees & Toes

Source: Jbrary

Crafts and Activities

Coloring page featuring a camping scene and asking if you can find things in the picture.

Search and Find

 

 

Puzzles made from painted craft sticks.

Craft Stick Puzzle

Additional Books

Book cover for The Thingamajig by Rilla Alexander

The Thingamajig by Rilla Alexander

 
A young elephant embarks on a whimsical quest to find various lost objects belonging to their animal neighbors, uncovering a mystery as snail, squirrel, and ladybugs reveal their missing items. Backmatter pages explain the around-the-world origins of each nonsense word appearing in the story.
Book cover for We're Gong on a Treasure Hunt by Kelly DiPucchio

We're Going on a Treasure Hunt by Kelly DiPucchio

 
In this twist on “We’re going on a bear hunt,” swashbuckling pirates on a quest for buried treasure brave wicked whales, giant squids, booming thunder, and spine-tingling ghosts, but quake at the sight of a small mouse.
Book cover for I Spy Ocean Animals by Camelia Jacobs

I Spy Ocean Animals by Camelia Jacobs

 
A Children’s Ocean Animal Spy book with clear pictures and child-friendly colors to boost the children’s habit to explore and find. In this book children will learn to observe multiple ocean animal pictures and discover the correct one, and the next page provides the proper answer!
Book cover for How to Catch a Clover Thief by Elise Parsley

How To Catch a Clover Thief by Elise Parsley

When a wild boar with a passion for clover discovers a rare patch in the woods, he is determined to patiently stand guard until it blooms–but he is not the only clover enthusiast in the forest, and it takes reading a good book for him to figure out the mystery

More Story Times

Story Time: P is for Pirates

Did you know that pirates often had unique and colorful names like "Blackbeard," "Calico Jack," and "Anne Bonny?" These names made them sound fierce and mysterious. Even though they were the “robbers of the high seas,” their spirit of adventure and exploration has...

November 2025 Kids ‘n’ Tweens Programs

Story Time and Early Literacy Start your little ones on their reading journey with age-appropriate stories, songs, and activities! Book Babies is for infants not yet walking. Toddler Time is for walking littles 1-3 years old. Story Time is for preschoolers ages 3-5....

Story Time: Something NEW Just for YOU in October

Did you know Halloween can be turned into a spook-tacular literacy activity for you and your child? Read Halloween books to introduce new words and foster a love for reading. Try describing your favorite Halloween characters and put them into a play or story. Play...

Story Time: M is for Moon

Buckle up for a thrilling journey to the moon! Join your little astronaut on an out-of-this-world adventure with our collection of silly, fun, and fact-filled books! Each page is a new discovery, each story a new mission. And don't forget the exciting activities that...

Story Time: M is for Monsters

Monster books can be magical because they help children understand differences, their feelings, and their emotions. They allow children to explore and overcome fears in a safe environment, helping them build emotional strength and problem-solving skills. So, check out...

OCTOBER Book Babies + Toddlers: Monsters

There’s a monster in this book, and he’s adorable. We love our little monsters, and they are all so different from each other, just like children. As you embark on an exciting adventure into the world of friendly monsters, you'll meet monsters who love to play,...

Story Time: M is for Magic

Abracadabra, Alakadoon. When I say KAZAM, you’ll all be baboons! KAZAM! Magic isn’t just about tricks. The world of magic can tap into your child’s innate sense of wonder and curiosity. It is a world of possibilities and can foster imagination, problem solving skills,...

October Activities for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Story Time and Early Literacy Start your little ones on their reading journey with age-appropriate stories, songs, and activities! Weekly Schedule: Mondays: Toddler Time 9:30 AM | Spanish Story Time 10:30 AM (No early literacy programs Mon. Oct. 6) Tuesdays: Toddler...

Story Time: A is for Alphabet

I have 26 members, but no family. I start with A and end with Z, but you won't find me in a zoo. What am I? Of course, I am the alphabet! Help your child discover language through letter recognition and their accompanying sounds. Try beginning with your child’s name...

Story Time: A is for Apples

Imagine a vibrant, red apple, shining like a jewel under the sun. The letter 'A' stands tall and proud, just like the apple on the branch. 'A' is the first letter of the alphabet, just as the apple is the first fruit many children learn about. Its bright color catches...

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.