BPL Boston Public Library Scavenger Hunt

A Fun way to visit Boston's beautiful Library with kids BPL Boston Public Library Scavenger Hunt Copley Branch

🕵️‍♀️ Boston Public Library Scavenger Hunt (Copley Branch)

Welcome to the historic Copley Square Library! Grab this guide, gather the family, and go on a self-paced adventure through one of Boston’s most iconic buildings. 📚✨

📜 The Hunt List:

🦁 The Grand Lions
- Head up the grand staircase and find TWO giant marble lions guarding the entrance to Bates Hall.
- ❓ Question: What do the plaques under the lions say?
🎨 Molasses Flood Mosaic
- Look for the beautiful mosaic that commemorates the Great Molasses Flood of 1919.
- ❓ Hint: It’s hidden in plain sight near the Boylston Street entrance.
🌿 The Courtyard
- Step into the peaceful outdoor courtyard in the center of the library.
- ❓ What animal can you see in the fountain statue?
📖 Children’s Library
- Make your way to this colorful, whimsical space filled with books and seating made just for kids.
- ❓ What’s the theme of the decorations inside this room?
🎧 Teen Central
- A cool space designed especially for teens—complete with tech, games, and creative tools.
- ❓ Find the digital wall. What colors are in the display today?
☕ GBH Newsfeed Café
- Take a break and grab a snack! This café is run by GBH and often broadcasts live radio.
- ❓ What’s playing on the screen or the speakers right now?
🗺️ The Map Room
- A quiet reading and study area filled with vintage and modern maps.
- ❓ Can you spot a map of Boston from before 1900?
🖼️ Murals by John Singer Sargent
- Find the mural gallery upstairs featuring Sargent’s dramatic artwork.
- ❓ How many figures are in the main mural?
🏛️ Bates Hall
- The library’s famous reading room with high ceilings and rows of green-shaded lamps.
- ❓ Walk quietly and count how many green lamps you see in one row.
🍵 Courtyard Tea Room
- Tucked beside the courtyard, this tearoom offers classic afternoon tea by reservation
- ❓ What tea or treat catches your eye?
This soaring ceiling mural by Edward Austin Abbey in the Boylston Room.

photo credit: BostonCentral

🏁 Bonus Challenge:

📸 Take a photo at three of your favorite stops and share your adventure online! (Tag #BostonCentral or #BPLAdventure)

📌 Please Note

✨ This scavenger hunt is NOT a library sponsored event, it's just an idea to make a visit more of an adventure. Since it’s a working library, remember to keep voices low and be respectful of others enjoying the space. There is so much to see and do here, the adventure will easily reveal of itself.

Free Weekly Events Newsletter!

Looking for more fun things to do in Boston? You can find lots more family-friendly events near Boston each week on our Boston events calendar, and in our our popular things to do this week newsletter. We invite you to subscribe for free and stay in-the-know each week about fun events. Over 50,000 subscribers can't be wrong!

~~~~ Stacey Sao