10 things you need to take when geocaching

We aren’t the best Geocaching family in the world, and we don’t do it as often as we would like, but our experience is growing in this “fun for all the family” hobby. So today we thought we would offer up a list of 10 things to take Geocaching in order to help you have fun with this awesome hobby.

Of course they are not all essential. Some will help you have more fun; some will help to make finding caches easier; and some are just good advise for when out walking anywhere. But we hope you find the list useful.

10 things you need to take when geocaching

1. Trinkets
2. Pen & Pencil
3. Torch
4. Replacement logs
5. First Aid Kit (with antihistamines)
6. Spare plastic bags
7. Stamp
8. Tweezers
9. Food & Drink
10. Walking Poles

In detail

rather than just leave the list of 10 things to take geocaching there as a useless bit of information, I thought it better to explain each of them in more detail.

Trinkets

When we Geocache the kids love to do swaps, this is why we take plenty of trinkets with us. We always like to leave something cool for the next kid to find. Our go to item is Lego type people – These ones on Amazon are great value about 50p each! Come on even as an adult I love to find cool things in these pots.

Pen & Pencil

Micro caches won’t have one, bigger caches often lose them, but if you haven’t signed the cache log did you really find it! We always carry a few pens and pencils (in fact we often take a few spare to leave if a cache has lost some – you can buy those pens you’d find in bookies or Argos for cheap on Amazon – why not take some with you, just in case).

Torch

People who hide Geocaches can be evil b***ards! A fair few times we’ve needed a torch to check the deeper recesses of bushes or under rocks. I’d highly advise you throw one in your bag. Personally I like small torches or those you can put on a key chain. I don’t want to have to carry too much. But some people swear by a head torch or a 1 million candle one!

Replacement Logs

There is little more disheartening than arriving at a cache and finding a soggy log, or worse a full log! Print out and make your own logs of various sizes and you can easily help the hider be replacing their log. Always leave a cache in a better state for the next finder. – You can find free printable logs here.

First Aid Kit

Safety first people!! No seriously I’d recommend a first aid kit when ever you are out on walks, or geocaching. You never know what might happen. If you add some kind of antihistamine cream & antiseptic cream into the mix you are covered for stings and scratches! True story a few years ago Zoe fell into a huge pile of stingers trying to save bubs from slipping. Had we had a first aid kit as mentioned we’d have been able to stay out longer.

Spare Plastic bags

Like the replacement logs carrying a few baggies, or small plastic bags can help repair a damaged cache.

Stamp

Some people have their own Geocaching stamp. A little ink stamp that saves them writing on any cache logs they locate. I think these are a great idea, especially if you have a personalised one. Sadly we don’t yet, but we have aspirations.

Tweezers

If you’ve read my 100 plus geocaching terms page, you’ll know that beyond micro caches are nano caches. And if, like me, you have chunky hands, and sausage like fingers, you’ll be wondering exactly how you are meant to get those damn logs out! Well this is why you should carry tweezers. Oh and having a pair in your first aid kit solves two problems of course.

Food & Drink

A hungry kid is a bored kid! We always, and I mean ALWAYS carry food and drink when we are going to be out for a few hours. Not only does it cut down on the complaints, but it means we can usually stay out that bit longer. Oh and drinking plenty is important to us all to live healthily.

Walking Poles

Now this is of course personal, but we have found that a walking pole makes moving leaf litter or brambles aside a little bit easier. You might also find it makes scrambling down that hill safer, and helps protect your knees and hips (if you know how to use them properly).

Happy Caching

So there you have it, our 10 things to take geocaching, I hope you will find it helpful in the future when you go out geocaching. If you do, please let me know in the comments below. And if there are other essentials that you take, let me know as well. Let someone else gain from your experience.

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