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Geocaching can be a fun family activity.  We don't do it a lot, but it's a fun way to keep kids interested when out on a day hike. Often, a good geocache will take us to a view or a beautiful location that we would not have seen otherwise.  It is great fun when traveling or when spending time with cousins of vastly different ages.  Most of the time, the caches don't have any "swag" that is interesting so, thankfully, the kids aren't too focused on what trinket they get -- although it is exciting if someone has left something interesting or useful.  The kids do like to find Travel Bugs and move them along.  

We also use the Travel Bugs in an attempt to encourage an interest in geography and travel.  Sadly, most of the ones we have started have been stolen or have gone missing -- never logged in by the cacher who took them.  

My eldest daughter has hidden a cache in the Hoyt Arboretum near her favorite tree.  It's fun to see who finds it, what they write, and whether or not they post a photo of themselves climbing in the tree. 

Microcaches are the one part of geocaching I don't care for.  It's more about finding a teeny tiny magnet than having an experience or seeing something interesting. We avoid those, but based on how many there are, they definitely have appeal for many.

Urban caches do make for a fun, quick activity on a lazy summer day. 

posted 2 years, 10 months ago
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