Geocaching start up tips

my now 22yo son and i used to do this like crazy. even made a stamp for him to use and he had a metal ammo can he would use to carry around the 'exchange loot'.

i think there's a free app for android c:geo or something like that which is great to use because they don't hide the best features like the real app does and you can try it out and see how you enjoy it and then buy the real app later.

who knows? with corona they may be offering it free right now.

anyway, raid your kids' collection of unopened mcdonalds toys, get a good pen or something to write with, have a plan for when you go out and *definitely* start with large caches if you want your kid to enjoy it. it may be fun finding a tiny car-magnet hidden under a metal stairway but if there's no treasure for your kid, he won't enjoy it as much.

its alot of fun. your kid is the right age. one word of advice: don't get too hung up on a cache you can't find. i tended to be OCD and would spend forever looking for a tricky cache which made my kid bored after awhile.

the best caches are the ones out in the woods under a tree with brush covering the ammo can

good luck! have fun!

tl;dr i've probably found 500 caches back in the 2001-2004 timeframe so feel free to post questions. its pretty fun & easy (at least it used to be). just bring cheap toys to 'swap' and you'll bre good.

Wow, thanks for all the tips! We will look for the app in android store and go from there. I for sure will come back with questions. Does the cache state somewhere in the app that it is "large"?

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Does the cache state somewhere in the app that it is "large"?

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yes.
It will say "traditional cache" and next to that "micro, small or large".

Back in the day most were hidden in ammo cans since anything you store in those will never get damp or anything else. After 911 I think most people started getting suspicious of strangers pulling out an ammmo box and sticking something in it and putting it back so Tupperware and nalgene bottles are more common. Too bad. Nothing like finding a beat up ammo can in the woods and opening it to reveal all kinds of treasure.

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What kind of treasures?

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mostly happy meal toys.

This is for your kids; not you. You're just the magic parent who drug your kids a mile out into the woods and pointed at a tree and told them to look around for a hidden box under the brush full of cool shite.