Coon Rapids Launches 2026 Community Swap Series With Puzzle and Game Exchange

On a winter Saturday in late February, the civic spaces of Coon Rapids will briefly transform into something simpler and quietly joyful. Shelves once crowded with completed jigsaw puzzles and well-loved board games will find new life as neighbors gather to trade, share, and rediscover play.

The Coon Rapids Recycling Center will host its first themed community swap of 2026 with a Puzzle and Game Swap on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., held in Room B of the Coon Rapids Civic Center. The event marks the opening of a broader city initiative aimed at reducing waste, encouraging reuse, and strengthening community connections through practical, everyday exchanges.

A Simple Exchange With Purpose

At the heart of the event is a straightforward token system designed to keep the swap accessible and equitable. Residents who donate a gently used puzzle or game receive one token per item. Each token can then be redeemed for a different puzzle or game during the swap.

City officials say the model not only keeps usable items out of landfills but also offers families a cost-free way to refresh their entertainment collections during the long Minnesota winter.

Donations may be dropped off in advance or on the day of the event.

Pre-event collection runs Monday, Feb. 9 through Friday, Feb. 20, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the front desk of City Hall. Items will also be accepted on the day of the swap, though advance drop-offs help organizers prepare inventory ahead of time.

Clear Guidelines to Keep It Fair

To ensure a positive experience for all participants, the city has established clear standards for acceptable items. All puzzles, board games, and card games must be complete, with every piece or card accounted for, and boxes must be in good, usable condition.

The guiding principle, according to city materials, is simple: do not bring anything you would not give to a friend.

Only all-ages entertainment is accepted. Video games, DVDs, CDs, and adult-themed items are excluded. Recycling Center staff reserve the right to decline items that do not meet the stated guidelines.

Part of a Larger 2026 Sustainability Effort

The Puzzle and Game Swap is the first in a series of five seasonal swap events planned for 2026, each focused on practical household items that often go unused but still have value.

The city’s published swap calendar includes:

• Feb. 21: Puzzles and Games
• May 9: Garden Tools and Seeds
• Aug. 15: School Supplies and Kids’ Clothes
• Sept. 19: Pet Supplies
• Sept. 26: Halloween Costumes and Decorations

Together, the events reflect a broader municipal effort to pair environmental stewardship with community engagement. Rather than emphasizing disposal, the swaps encourage residents to think differently about ownership, usefulness, and shared resources.

A Civic Tradition, Reimagined

While modest in scale, swap events like this one have become a quiet staple of local sustainability efforts across Minnesota. In Coon Rapids, officials say the goal is not only waste reduction but also the cultivation of shared civic space, where neighbors meet one another over everyday objects and shared routines.

For full event details, residents can visit the city’s official announcement at coonrapidsmn.gov.

MinneapoliMedia