Go Geocaching for Family Fun
Looking for an inexpensive outdoor family activity?
Geocaching is a modern-day treasure hunt that gets the kids outside to discover new places. As a believer in the importance of family playtime, Geocaching is a perfect excuse to have a little fun competition together.
What is Geocaching?
It is simply a fun, contemporary take on treasure hunting. Geocaching is the perfect solution for those in search of a family-friendly hobby that’s high on both fun and outdoor activities.
Basically, you just search online by location to find hidden containers, called caches, and then share your experiences online. People of all ages are enjoying geocaching all over the world! It sounds easier than it is, but I have to say my kids are much better at finding these than I am!
What do I need to begin Geocaching?
Geocaching is a great activity to get us all outdoors but the kids will also enjoy it because it does take a little technology! Instead of using a treasure map, you will need to have an iPhone or other GPS-capable device to locate your treasure. Geocaching is free to begin, but if you enjoy it you will want to purchase the almost $10 App.
Log onto geocaching.com for free access to nearly 2 million cache coordinates. Geocache sites range from easy to challenging and list their level of difficulty. If it’s your first time out on the hunt, go after caches that have been logged most recently to ensure that there is actually something still there to find.
What does the word “cache” mean?
Caches are various containers of all shapes and sizes that usually contain a log to sign and possibly a little treasure. Remember to stash your pockets with trivial trinkets of your own if you plan to take anything as a souvenir. Geocaching etiquette dictates that you leave something behind if you take anything out of the cache! I bought a lot of personalized pencils and sticky hands from Oriental Trading to have on hand at all times. Once you’re done with the geocache, remember to return it exactly where you found it.
Remember the goal, and treasure, of geocaching is the fun of the hunt – not the acquisition of the cache contents.
What is a Travel bug or Trackable?
Travel bugs are different than trade items. Sometimes called “hitchhikers,” these are often intended to travel the world. They are fine to take as long as you promise to put it in another geocache. Be sure to log the travel bug number online so its owner can trace its travels.
Trackables are always an exciting find! It’s fun to log them and see where they have been before they reach you. Before heading out on our big adventure around the USA I had some family trackables made with our family photo on them. I had these made by Darick who was fantastic to work with and he has a really fun Geocaching website as well! He’s got free printable logs and lots of other neat things for you, so check it out.
Thanks so much for sharing my trackables and my website Amy. Hope the trackables you got from me are travelling around safely. I also am making geocaching videos and sharing them on my website as well (geogz.com/video).
Great article on geocaching. It is a great family activity and I have made lots of memories with family out on the geocaching trail. Thanks for sharing your love of geocaching… all the best to you and your beautiful family. Happy caching!
My husband and son used to do this together. It was such a great way to have father/son time while doing something interesting and exciting! Great you could share this activity with your readers!