Kick Off Summer with an Artistic Scavenger Hunt on Block Island, Rhode Island

Eleven years ago, Rhode Island’s Block Island started a trend; artist Eben Horton crafted a series of handblown glass floats which were then hidden around the island for visitors to find. Today, the tradition continues and, as we head into summer family travel, Rhode Island’s popular summer tourist destination gears up to begin its annual scavenger hunt, the Glass Float Project.

Glass floats are air-filled, closed glass spheres of different colored glass historically used by fishermen to keep their nets afloat and easily retrievable. Today, these functional works of glass art are typically used as nautical-themed decorations in seaside destinations, but, starting June 1, they will be the centerpiece for this artistic scavenger hunt.

The annual event features 550 orange-sized glass globes, some clear and some beautifully colored, hidden carefully by volunteers around the island. The event lasts through October. Small numbers of globes will be hidden periodically as the season progresses until the very last globe has been found. The event is a free-for-all for visitors to explore the island’s beaches and greenway trails in search of glass baubles. If you find a glass float, you’ll want to register it with Block Island Tourism Council so they know how many remain hidden, but you’ll get to keep what you find. Each visitor should only take one globe so there are enough for everyone who wants to participate, and each piece is numbered, making them great collectors’ items to serve as a souvenir from your trip.

This artistic scavenger hunt is a great way to get the kids excited about the destination and gives the whole family the chance to get out in the sunshine and fresh air. And since cell phones won’t help you find the globes (you won’t want them until it is time to register your treasure with the tourism council), this activity is a great way for the family to disconnect and have fun making memories together.

If you don’t have any luck finding globes or want to find out how to make them for yourself, you can always schedule a glass-blowing class with the artist behind the Glass Float Project. Eben Horton and his wife, fellow glassblower Jennifer Nauck, offer classes at their nearby studio, Glass Station in Wakefield. Although this activity isn’t suitable for young children, older teens and their parents can learn firsthand what it’s like to make beautiful glass creations and try their hand at exploring their own creative expression — and maybe even shop for some beautiful souvenirs in the process.