Break-In Bags: A Passive Program Kids Will Beg to Try
- Adrienne De Luna
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
If you’re looking for a passive program that keeps kids engaged, builds critical thinking skills, and practically runs itself, let me introduce you to one of my all-time favorite passive activities I've created: Break-In Bags, also featured in School Library Journal!
This program quickly became one of the most talked-about activities in the youth department. Kids would come in just to see if they could crack the code—and the best part? It requires minimal staff time once it’s set up.
What Are Break-In Bags?
Break-In Bags are locked canvas pouches filled with small prizes. In order to “break in,” kids must solve a series of logic puzzles. Each puzzle has a numerical answer, and together those numbers form the combination to the lock.
If they unlock the bag, they keep the prizes inside.
If they don’t? They forfeit and can try again another day.
The catch: the bags never leave the library. Kids check them out at the circulation desk and have until the end of the day to solve them. This creates excitement, urgency, and repeat visits.
Why This Program Works
This program hits so many goals at once:
Encourages problem-solving and critical thinking
Appeals to a wide age range
Requires very little staff supervision
Creates buzz and word-of-mouth excitement
Is easy to refresh and reuse
It also empowers kids. They feel accomplished when they crack the code—and even when they don’t, they’re determined to come back and try again.
How I Made My Break-In Bags
I created mine using affordable supplies from Amazon (see supply list below).
Step 1: Prepare the Bag
I used canvas zipper pouches and added a grommet to the corner so the zipper could be locked shut. This is essential—the grommet gives you a secure place to attach the lock and the puzzle cards.
Step 2: Add the Lock
You’ll need resettable combination locks so you can change the code for each bag.
This allows you to reuse the same bags over and over.
Step 3: Create the Logic Puzzles
This was the most time-consuming part.
I spent hours searching for logic puzzles with numerical answers—so you don’t have to (and I'm sharing them below)!
I designed and formatted the puzzles using Canva, then:
Printed them
Laminated them
Attached them to the bag with easy-open keyrings
This makes it incredibly easy to swap puzzles whenever you want to refresh the challenge.
Step 4: Fill with Prizes
Inside each bag, I included things like:
Candy
Stickers
Small trinkets
Paperback books
Bookmarks
You can scale this up or down depending on your budget.
Even small prizes generate huge excitement.
How It Works in the Library
Here’s the system I used:
Kids check out a Break-In Bag from the circulation desk
They must stay in the library to work on it
They have until the end of the day
If they solve it—they keep the prizes
If not—they return it and try again another day
This keeps the program fair and manageable.
Tips for Success
Create multiple difficulty levels Label them Easy, Medium, and Hard to appeal to different ages.
Have more than one bag Trust me—you’ll need backups.
Rotate puzzles regularly Kids will come back again and again.
Set clear rules No forcing locks. No opening bags without solving. No looking up answers.
Why Kids Love It
Break-In Bags tap into something kids naturally love: Mystery. Challenge. Reward.
It feels like an escape room—but in a simple, portable format.
And for librarians, it’s a passive program that delivers huge engagement.
Supplies I Used
Zipper Bag: https://amzn.to/3ZJjMUN
Grommet Punch: https://amzn.to/4roXQKH
Easy Open Keyring: https://amzn.to/46KgmF6
Logic puzzles: Instructions + 60 ready to use logic puzzles! (TPT paid file)
Final Thoughts
Break-In Bags were one of the most successful passive programs I ever introduced. They created excitement, repeat visits, and meaningful engagement without requiring constant staff facilitation.
And honestly? Kids never got tired of them.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to help other librarians bring engaging, creative programs to their communities.
*This blog is intentionally ad-free. I want it to be a clean, distraction-free space where public librarians can find practical ideas for youth services, outreach, and programming without pop-ups or sponsored clutter.
Some posts may include affiliate links for books or supplies I genuinely use and recommend. If you choose to purchase through those links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. It’s a simple way to support the work while getting materials for your own programs.
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