Spring Break activity: Geocaching with Becca from R We There Yet Mom?

Hi all, I'm still dealing with major family issues, so I asked my real life friend Becca to share some of her tips for fun activities to do with your kids.  (She's a genius that way...)


Hi there!  I'm Becca, momma of 3 kooky kiddos, and travel-junkie over at R We There Yet Mom?  I have tried for years (even with Viv's guidance) to be crafty but always have some type of major FAIL. Nevertheless, I am determined to make the best possible memories with my kiddos, and my blog is a testament to that, filled with fun family activities and travel locations.


With Spring Break coming up and gas prices costing a small fortune to fill up, many families are looking for fun ideas to do with their kids closer to home.  Here is a unique activity that is very low cost and loads of funfor all ages.

Geocaching ("jee-o-cash-ing") is a fun, family sport that we have enjoyed for a few years now.  My parents introduced us to it a few years ago and we instantly became hooked! If you like breaking codes, deciphering clues, and looking for buried treasure, this sport is for you!

Think of it as a modern-day treasure hunt - You are provided with coordinates and clues and then it is up to you to go "hunting".

So how does it really work?

GPS coordinates lead you to a location where a treasure, otherwise known as "cache", is hidden.  Many caches come with fun clues that help you along the way.  Once found, you log your visit into the provided logbook.  Many caches have trinkets to trade - think unusual coins,  fast food toys, pencils, etc. My kids LOVE to trade their junk for junk!  This is their "treasure" they seek!

Just a few items are needed to successfully geocache.  A handheld GPS device (we used a Garmin), a book to take notes or write the clues down, a few trinkets to trade, and a great deal of patience are all you need for a successful day.

There are many different available makes & models of Geocaching GPS devices to use.  You can also use your Smart Phone, as there is a great app for Geocaching available from Groundspeak.

Once you have a device to get started, log into www.geocaching.com.  There you can create an account and discover caches available to find in your area.  We often look up caches when we are on vacation too.  They are everywhere.

When planning to go on a hunt, either download the cache into your GPS device, or enter in the GPS coordinates.  Make sure to write down the clues to help you find the caches.  The GPS will get you to the spot where the cache is hidden, but it is up to you to use the clues to find it.  Caches are often very cleverly placed, it could be hidden under a rock, inside a tree, or even in an unusual structure.  So keep your eyes open, you never know where it will be hidden!  But honestly, that's the fun.....the thill of the hunt!

When you find the cache, sign the logbook.  If you take something from the cache (trinkets time!), leave something of equal or greater value in it's place, so that there is something there for the next geocachers to find.  When you are done, remember to hide the cache exactly as you found it.

Once you have returned home, log back into Geocaching.com to log your find and share your experiences with the community.  This helps others find the caches and tells the one who hid the cache it's still out there.

How does it work? Let me show you a quick cache we went on together.  We are going to take you on a little hunt with a cache called "Let's Make Some Noise".  For those of you in Central Texas who want to do this cache, look away.  But fear not, there are literally thousands of caches  around here......

So, let's hop onto geocaching.com and look up caches around our area.

"Let's Make Some Noise" sounds perfect for me and the kids!  First, I will down load it into my Garmin.   If you are using a GPS-enabled mobile app, you can skip this step.  Next,  I'm going to grab my oldest who loves deciphering the codes, note the one under additional hints.

So we determined that it says, "square-ish camo container".  Got it.

Let's head out!  The coordinates take us to a nice trail in our neighborhood.  Who would have ever thought there would be a cache on a trail we walk on all the time??  So cool!!

We stop half-way down the trail, thanks to our Garmin letting us we are less than 5 feet from the location.  Now the hunt begins.  Though it really wasn't much of one for my girl.......

 She found it right away though this tiny hole in a tree.  Go around on the backside, and we find this:

 This one has a nice sticker on it, to notify Muggles what it is....a harmless game piece.  Not all have these, mind you.

The kids who finds it, gets to open it!

 Mom gets the boring part - signing the logbook.

 While the kids root through the trinkets to find what they want to trade.  Remember, don't take a trinket unless you have one to leave behind!

 Anyone figure out yet why it's called "Let's Make Some Noise?"

Lastly, we put it back exactly how we found it so other geocachers can enjoy the hunt as much as we did!

This is a fun activity that the kids and I really enjoy doing - it is a great way to get outdoors and explore places you have never seen, even in your neighborhood!

With over a million geocaches hidden world-wide, there are geocaches for every type of adventurer to find!

Join us tomorrow as we discuss some helpful pointers and things to know before you go geocaching.  


Join all of Becca's fun family adventures over at R We There Yet Mom?  Like her Facebook Page and follow her on Twitter and keep up to date with her posts as well as other fun family ideas.  Heck, join her on Pinterest and never miss any fantastic vacation spot or cool travel gadget!