Guide: How to Geocache in Edmonton with Kids

Outdoor

Sep. 26

Geocaching is one of those easy, and free, activities you can do with the kids in Edmonton. Essentially, you’re searching for a treasure. A treasure that has been hidden by someone else, based on coordinates you can find online, or through the geocaching app. It’s not as easy it sounds, it took us four caches before we found our first one. They’re hidden and sometimes you’ve got to look hard.

First, Download the Geocaching App

What you need: The geocaching app (unlock the full app for the best experience), a sharpie pen that won’t fade, small trinkets to replace the ones you find, if you decide to take the trinkets from the cache you find.

Look at the difficulty level of the cache, and the size. For beginners, it’s going to be easiest to start the search with larger sized caches. Especially for little kids. Using the app, you can gauge the difficulty level of the cache.

When you’ve found the geocache, sign the log with your name, check-in through the app, and check it off as found. That’s one of the reasons we love the app, is because of the easy ability to track all of the caches that you’ve found, and the ranking system that comes with it. When you’re finished, hide it back exactly where you found it.

Hints are available through the app, to allow you to find the caches a little easier. These hints, and tips like “we found it” or “we weren’t able to find it” can be found in the app to make geocaching for first-timers, easier. If you’re logging a cache as found, don’t leave any spoilers!

When you download the Geocaching app, you’re a basic member. For $39.99 annually, you can upgrade to a premium membership where you have access to premium caches, and support the community. Know before you go: there are tons more geocaches in the paid version, it’s well worth it.

Start in your own neighbourhood. Download the app, or check the website for a free listing of nearby geocaches that you can track with a GPS, without downloading the app and see if you can find a nearby cache – chances are, there are hundreds of treasures that you don’t even know about.

Here’s what you Should Know Before you Go

For multiple kids, we like to choose an area with a high concentration of caches, and either switch turns using one device, or set each kid up with their own cache to find using two devices. This is especially helpful if you’ve got kids who are faster than one another, older, or who tend to ‘take charge’ in finding the caches.
Bring along small trinkets or toys. Many of the caches have treasures inside and to keep the hunt fun for future finders, you should exchange or replace what you’ve taken. I like to keep a small handful of these in our vehicle for impromptu geocaching!
Remember to place the geocache exactly where you found it - this makes sure that the next players are going to find their own.
Thank the person who placed the geocache through notes in the app - it’s fun to read the experience of the players that have found your cache!
In Edmonton, this is one of our favourite locations with some cool geocaches along the trail.
Using the Geocache app, you can put in any location, or use it to find geocaches around you. If you’re planning on discovering a new playground, or visiting another city, or town, you can plan ahead and add in some hunting!
Not all geocaches have treasures, but they are still fun to find. Bring a marker or pen with you, so you can sign the log! There are some caches that have pens, but we will like to bring our own, just in case!

Hide your Own Geocache

Use the app and hide and submit your own Geocaches. Use small trinkets from around the house, small toys, and find a water tight container that’s going to be easily hidden at the location you’ve got in mind. If you don’t have a watertight container - we’ve seen a lot of caches in double freezer bags BUT fun containers make it so much more fun.

Visit the location, and the Geocache app will prompt you through the steps required to hide your own. It’s a fun way to get started and it’s fun for the kids to track how many people have found the geocache, through the notes people leave when they’ve found it.