How to Host a Book Swap/Exchange
Hosting a Book Swap/Exchange is a wonderful and easy way to get kids excited about reading and to recycle those unused books taking up space around your home! Just encourage your participants to bring a book so they can take a book in return. This idea can be adapted for an event at school, church, scouts, and even makes a fun party theme!
Before Book Swap/Exchange
Decide which types of books and grade level books you will accept.
Also consider whether you’ll include age-appropriate magazines, DVDs and video games. Encourage participants to bring as many books as they like – the more books, then the better the selection for all.
Send out an invitation including all the details or post a flyer for your book swap event.
Consider posting as a Facebook event or paperless Evite. Use our FREE Invite template image here.
During Book Swap/Exchange
First, you’ll need to collect all the books.
Give everyone a ticket for each book they donate so they can onlinee back and “shop” later.
You may even consider giving 2 tickets for higher priced items like DVDs. Buy rolls of carnival style tickets online or at party supply stores.
Organize and display books on tables.
This is where parent volunteers onlinee in handy! Placement of the table is also important – set up tables against a wall to make it easier to prop books up so they are facing outward.
Bring back all the participants so they can “shop”!
Watch as they get excited for “new” books! Even reluctant readers get enthusiastic.
After Book Swap/Exchange
Consider donating leftovers to a school library, thrift store or charity.
On a personal note, I helped with this event at my child’s school last year and it was so much fun! The kids love it and are so happy to choose new-to-them books. I also saw some wonderful acts of kindness, as kids were choosing some books for their siblings, and even giving tickets to friends who forgot to bring books to participate that day. 🙂
Written by Lina for Hip2Save. Lina is a proud mom of 2 small kids who loves photography, all holidays, cooking, thrift store makeovers, bargain shopping, and DIY makeovers. Her goal is to create a beautiful life and stylish home on a dime!
