Sometimes the best library programs are the easiest ones!
No complicated setup. No expensive supplies. No extensive planning.
Just stickers.
A Sticker Swap is one of the easiest programs I’ve ever offered. Kids loved showing off their collections and everyone left with something new.
The best part? The community does most of the work for you.
Why Sticker Swaps Work
Sticker collecting has become incredibly popular.
Whether it’s:
- Water bottle stickers
- Planner stickers
- Bookish stickers
- Gaming stickers
- Anime stickers
- Vintage stickers
- Scrapbooking stickers
- Cute animal stickers
People love collecting them (including me!).
A sticker swap gives patrons a chance to connect over a shared interest while giving new life to stickers that might otherwise sit unused in a drawer.
It’s social, creative, affordable, and works for nearly every age group.
How We Ran It
The setup couldn’t have been easier.
Participants were invited to bring stickers they were willing to trade and place them on designated tables.
Patrons could browse, negotiate trades, and discover new favorites.
To make things easy, I also provided some of my own sticker collection to help get the swap started and ensure there was something available even if someone arrived without stickers.
The result was a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where people naturally started conversations.
“Where did you get that one?”
“Do you like that [character] too?”
“I’ve been looking for this sticker forever!”
The stickers became conversation starters.
Make Swapping Easier
One challenge with sticker swaps is that many stickers come as part of larger sheets.
Not everyone wants to trade an entire sheet just to exchange one design.
To solve that problem, I provided blank sticker backing paper so participants could carefully remove and trade individual stickers.
This made the swap more flexible and helped everyone get exactly the stickers they wanted.
Supply Recommendation:
- Sticker trading paper
- Small baskets or trays
- Table signs explaining swap guidelines
- Optional name tags for participants (the linked name tag stickers are super useful!)
Keep the Rules Simple
I recommend keeping expectations straightforward:
- Be kind and respectful.
- Only trade stickers you own.
- Ask before taking.
- Honor agreed-upon trades.
- No buying or selling.
That’s really all you need.
Turn It Into a Passive Program
One of my favorite things about sticker swaps is how easily they can become a passive activity.
Set up a designated sticker exchange station and leave it available for a week or even an entire month.
Patrons can:
- Leave a sticker
- Take a sticker
- Browse collections
- Add to the display over time
The station can grow organically as more people participate.
Easy Add-Ons
Want to expand the experience?
Consider adding:
Sticker Design Station
Provide blank sticker paper and art supplies so patrons can create their own designs.
Decorate a Bookmark
Offer blank bookmarks and let participants personalize them with their newly acquired stickers.
Water Bottle Decorating
Invite patrons to bring reusable water bottles (or provide one if it’s in the budget) to decorate.
Why I Love This Program
As librarians, we sometimes feel pressure to create elaborate programs with big budgets and complicated supply lists.
Sticker Swap reminds us that community doesn’t have to be complicated. People simply enjoy sharing things they love.
With minimal cost and almost no preparation, you can create an event that encourages conversation, creativity, and connection.
And any program that brings together a room full of people excitedly trading tiny pieces of colorful paper is a win in my book.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an affordable, low-prep program that appeals to kids, teens, and adults alike, give a Sticker Swap a try.
You might be surprised how many people show up with sticker collections they’ve been waiting years to share (Hello! I’m one of those people!)
Sometimes the simplest programs stick with people the longest.
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