Geocaching: An Instant Treasure Hunt, Anywhere!
Before trying Geocaching last year, we watched two Youtube videos about the "hows.” Both Grandkids, now 6&8, and the 24 yr-old love it. This is an international, anytime, anywhere, all-ages treasure hunt. Just open up the app wherever you are and see what's around you! No need for the paid version, the free version works great! Download the official Geocaching app - it will be verified by your email address. Choose a fun group name and password. There are 8,403 geocaches around Minneapolis alone!
Our first cache was literally 374ft. away from my house, attached by magnet up inside the stop sign. It was a micro cylinder - the kids were SO excited! Micros can be little prescription or film canisters found by lifting up the bottom of city signage and light posts - they take some real searching! The micros only have room for the rolled up list of finders (your team signs and dates the paper and records the find on the app). We found just enough room to stuff in a sparkly pompom surprise for the next seeker.
Larger caches can contain small trinkets to exchange, so we brought a pocket full to take one and leave one. You'll want to have a fine-line sharpie (some of the name lists can be damp), tweezers in case you need them for the micros, sanitizer or wipes, and small, dollar-store-type loot (stickers and temporary tattoos work great) for the exchange. Don’t do food or candy as it might be affected by the elements or attract animals. There are geocaches all over the world, so you can even try it while traveling. I have author friends who search for them all over the country.
We just have the free version of the app for now. It is truly year-round fun for all ages! The kids even beg for it on the way home from school. We have found them in city signs and light posts, little free libraries, inside tree stumps and under rocks. Pick a fun team name to log your finds - ours is Grandycamp, of course! I gave Jack official waterproof Geocache containers and supplies for his birthday, so we can start hiding some near their house and register them at Geochache.com. We are excited to get neighborhood kids involved in tracking. If you hide and register a cache, you are responsible for maintaining it - something I also think they’ll enjoy. And checking to see how many people have found it!
If you've tried Geocaching with your Grands, let us know if you have more tips!