Where did the spirit of the holiday season go? Sometimes, you have to get off the couch and go look for it. A handful of winter scavenger hunts might be a good place to start.
ST. PAUL GNOME INVASION
It’s a tree gnome takeover! The gnome invasion got underway in mid-December when 10 tree gnomes settled in different St. Paul parks, and an 11th “Golden Gnome” began moving from city park to city park on a weekly basis.
St. Paul Parks and Recreation isn’t telling where the gnomes are located, but they have posted clues online in sometimes-poetic form. Each gnome — a small evergreen tree planting — wears a red Santa hat, red gloves and a pinecone or white puff for a nose.
Parks is asking gnome hunters to post selfies with the tree gnomes online using hashtag #stpgnometakeover, with one requirement: “Shhh, be careful not to give away the location in your photo!”
For the week that ends Sunday, Dec. 27, here’s a clue as to Goldy the Golden Gnome’s whereabouts: “Home of a small lake, named for a mashup of intersecting streets, sit back and relax with a nearby local legend’s chilly treats.”
That could describe a very large park indeed, so here’s an even more specific clue about its whereabouts within the park: “In view of a small pier/where you may wish to sit and ponder/our Goldy may be near/as it sets itself out to wander.”
More information is online at stpaul.gov/news/tree-gnome-scavenger-hunt.
MET COUNCIL’S WINTER ADVENTURE
The Metropolitan Council has created a metro-wide scavenger hunt so elaborate, it requires a smartphone app. Download the free “GooseChase” app and prepare to explore the metro’s 56 regional parks, which span more than 54,000 acres.
Within GooseChase, search for “Regional Parks Winter Adventure” and use game code JW1WRL to get started. The Met Council announced the scavenger hunt Tuesday on its Facebook page at facebook.com/MetropolitanCouncil.
ST. PAUL WINTER CARNIVAL HUNTS
Not satisfied with organizing one St. Paul scavenger hunt, the St. Paul Winter Carnival Royalty have instead opted to host three. That’s right — prepare to explore St. Paul along three different themes using the GooseChase app. The hunts go live on Jan. 28.
“St. Paul PARK-emon GO” is a family-friendly outdoor adventure that will take visitors through many of the 150 official parks and green spaces throughout the city. Conducted with St. Paul Parks Conservancy and sponsored by 21st Century Bank, this hunt offers history lessons and background on parks attractions.
Meanwhile, the Winter Carnival’s urban hunt, “Dine, & Play, Your Guide to St. Paul Fun & Attractions,” will lead to popular businesses, dining and entertainment venues throughout the capital city.
History buffs can dig in even deeper via the Winter Carnival’s history hunt — “St. Paul Past & Present: A Trip Into Its History and Notable Landmarks” — which takes an exploratory look at the city beginning hundreds of years ago. When was St. Paul founded? What unique buildings is St. Paul known for? Part hunt, part lesson, part city tour, this adventure’s for the history books!
FAMILY FUN TWIN CITIES
Back in 2013, three Twin Cities moms (four kids apiece!) joined forces to collaborate on an epic website guide to family outings with children.
Did you know the Red Balloon Bookstore on St. Paul’s Grand Avenue hosts scavenger hunts each summer? The St. Paul Public Library system offers a checklist of things kids can look for in their own neighborhood year-round.
FamilyFunTwinCities.com lists at least two dozen additional hunts, road trips and self-guided nature tours on its scavenger hunt page at tinyurl.com/FamilyScavenge2020.
Copyright 2020 Pioneer Press.