runawaybunny

After the kids were finished trick-or-treating we went out to visit the new night cache by us. Night caches are our favorites.

These are the things we most like to find and leave. signature items coins bracelets (especially hand-made ones) hot wheels or matchbox cars glow sticks keychains (for some reason my kids go nuts for those "buckle-up" keychains. We're starting to have a collection of them.)

When we are out caching we pretty much ignore micros as a rule, but I like your idea of a micro that's fun for kids. Maybe families aren't going for it because a lot of families either have multiple children of their own caching with them or bring their kid's friends along. My kids have the most fun digging through the cache to see what others have left behind. When the cache is only big enough for one piece of swag there's not much digging through. And then there's the question of "Which kid gets the piece of swag?"

Your puzzles look really fun. I wish they were local.

That stinks. It looks like the cache is up and running again. Want me to run over there and sign your name in the log? ...Just kidding.

That's very cool. I would love to take a course like that if I had the money. We have only seen one black bear while out geocaching. The bear was running the other way. It was kind of unbelievable how something so big could move so fast. Apparently he was more afraid of us than we were of it. I just hope any other bears we encounter feel the same way.

So how much per week are you averaging after having made the switch? For the first few weeks it winds up being more expensive because of the cost of making the mold. After that it will be about the same. So, I've had cut back on other expenses, but I don't mind if it means the kids have something nice to trade, since trading is their favorite part of geocaching and geocaching gets them out of the house and away from the video games (priceless.) I wouldn't do the same for $100 worth of plastic dinos.

http://www.pathtags.com/what.php No big deal, eh? Ah, thanks. I was unaware it was a way to make a pathtag company lots of money. I thought it was like a custom signature item or something. Looks kinda pricey for a giveaway item to people who you don't even know. I think I'll passtag. I think that you're right about that. Those pathtags seem to be aimed at the more affluent members of the geocaching community. Used golf balls, match box cars, smiley face stickers, air, pathtags, something for every income level. Nice. For us it winds up being more cost effective. I was going broke at the dollar store buying swag. With 3 kids trading, 20 bucks would buy about a weeks worth of swag that is pretty low quality and probably only appeal to little kids. These I feel like adults or kids might enjoy and they're more personal.

My kids attach a small toy to theirs and trade it for swag. So, I figure when they get picked up, they probably get traded for swag too.

Come visit the East coast. My kids have been scattering them in caches all over Western Massachusetts.

I'm not certain, because I haven't been hiking in the winter with the kids yet, but I suspect that sledding vs. trudging through knee high snow could mean the difference between a good time and total misery. Just from my own experience with my kids. I'll know more when the snow starts flying and I get them out on the trail.

We live in Western Massachusetts in the Pioneer Valley. There's often a foot of snow on the ground for a good part of the winter.

They must love it. It looks like a lot of fun. I was thinking about getting something like this for my boys 6 & 14, and maybe us too. But they all but the most expensive brands have bad reviews.

That's so cool. I don't have dogs, though. I don't think they'd get along with my rabbits.

Could work. You think the 2-year-old could pull it? It's a snow stroller. So, she doesn't have to pull it. She can push it. Although, I don't think she could reach the handle. She not quite 3 feet tall.

Very true. I bet the summer caching gets a tad on the warm side though.

I found this one at the REI website. It's kind of expensive though. I don't suppose anyone has ever tried it? I'm torn. I guess I'll keep looking. http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/792471

This will be our first winter geocaching. Does anyone bring their kids along caching in the snow? What's the best way to go? I was thinking of getting a sled for our (soon to be) 2 year old but not sure how well it will fair on the trails. Also thinking about snowshoes for the older kids but again, I don't know if this is a good idea. Anyone have success caching with their kids in the snow?

I've read so much about the lame golf ball swag here in the forums, I was starting to feel ripped off that I've never run across one. But today I found my first geocache golf ball. I don't golf but I felt compelled to swap it out. I traded a pathtag for it.

When you forget your swag at home the cache will be filled with great high quality trade items. Conversely, if you come prepared with great high quality trade items the cache will be filled only with broken pencils and soggy temporary tattoos.

Oh good, we can add "not logging a DNF" to the list of reasons I'm going to hell It might be helpful for this appear on the on the Getting Started with Geocaching page, right between STEP 3- THE HUNT and STEP 4- THE FIND. “When you discover that you are unable to locate the cache be sure to log your DNF experience online using the links provided or risk eternal damnation.”

Actually, I love these. Fantastic views and sprawling vistas are wonderful, but they tend to draw people to them even without geocaching. A geocache in the middle of nowhere with nothing to bring you there but the cache has a serene quality about it that I really appreciate. Probably just me.

I agree. When my kids are faced with the "I would like that piece of swag but I don't have an equal item" challenge, my son tries to convince me to toss in 2 for 1. I tell him "NO!" and explain the whole swag break down deterioration theory. Seems harmless at the time, but, really it would probably be the beginning of the end for the swag.

The 3 criteria that I look for are: 1) Kid friendly. If the cache is kid friendly it's going to be much more enjoyable for the whole family. 2) Intricate. I love caches with multiple dimensions to them, whether it be a puzzle, multi, or maybe it's a totally different experience at night. 3) Well-maintained. Recent logs stating that the cache is in great shape are a big plus for us.

Sounds like they also disregarded your command to not bring small children to the cache. Shameful.