Candlewick Press, publishers of the famed book series, organized community Where’s Waldo scavenger hunts across the country to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release last year. 250 bookstores were selected to host the hunts. They each then went on to select 20 local businesses to participate. The scavenger hunt was such a success that they have brought it back this year.
The Story Nook children’s book store at babyNOIR hosted my local scavenger hunt in my old neighborhood of Astoria. Faye Skandalakis ___ of The Story Nook and organizer of this scavenger hunt, selected 25 diverse local businesses in Astoria and Long Island City to participate this year. She wanted to showcase new, small and multicultural shops in the community. She added, “what a wonderful way to expose these great local businesses and in a way bring the community together…looking for this little Waldo character.”
I personally loved visiting all of the stores featured in this year’s Where’s Waldo Scavenger Hunt. I discovered wonderful children’s stores that I had never known about. I enjoyed treats from places I had never visited before. And my two-year-old is wearing her “I found Waldo” sticker proudly.
Not only is this scavenger hunt a super fun way to spend some quality time with your children but there are prizes, too! Click here for details to the Astoria/LIC scavenger hunt or search the closest participating bookstore near you. This will be your last weekend to collect stamps from participating stores but don’t let that discourage you. We managed to collect all of our stamps in one day. The Found Waldo Party will take place at The Story Nook on Wednesday, July 31st.
Good luck!
