A trip to the grocery store isn’t just for bread, bananas and milk anymore.

The North Olympic Library System is partnering with the Olympic-Kitsap Peninsulas Early Learning Coalition, Sunny Farms in Sequim, the Safeway in downtown Port Angeles and Forks Outfitters to create “Love. Talk. Play.,” a grocery store scavenger hunt that turns ordinary shopping trips into interactive learning experiences for parents, caregivers and young children.

Community residents are encouraged to pick up scavenger hunt game sheets at Sequim, Port Angeles of Forks branch libraries or local grocery stores listed above; then, during one’s next visit to either grocery store, use the game sheet to visit different departments and discover new, creative ways to “love, talk and play” with one’s child.

Along the trip, “scavenger hunters” are encouraged to discuss what they’ve found while hunting for the next item.

Once finished, participants return your completed game sheet to the library and receive a free “Love. Talk. Play” reusable shopping tote.

This activity continues through the remainder of 2018.

Studies show that spending time talking and playing with young children is crucial to early development, North Olympic Library System officials say.

“Love. Talk. Play.” is a part of the library system’s ongoing efforts to support early literacy programming in Clallam County and is sponsored by Thrive by Five Washington, the state’s nonprofit public-private partnership for early learning, the state Department of Early Learning, and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, along with other statewide and local organizations.

For information about this and other programs for youth, visit www.nols.org, call 360-417-8500 x7705, or email to Youth@nols.org.