Geocaching & Letterboxing with Kids: Tampa's Best Treasure Hunts
Looking for a FREE outdoor adventure that gets kids excited about exploring? Geocaching and letterboxing are real-life treasure hunting games that turn any park visit into an exciting quest. Tampa Bay has thousands of hidden treasures waiting to be found!
What is Geocaching?
Geocaching is a worldwide treasure hunting game with over 3 million hidden containers ("caches") across the globe—and thousands right here in Tampa Bay!
How It Works:
- Download the free Geocaching app (iOS/Android)
- Search for nearby caches
- Use GPS to navigate to the hiding spot
- Find the hidden container
- Sign the logbook inside
- Trade treasures (optional)
- Re-hide it exactly as you found it
What's Inside a Cache:
- Logbook to sign (always)
- Small treasures to trade (often)
- Trackables/Travel Bugs (sometimes)
What is Letterboxing?
Letterboxing is the analog cousin of geocaching—no technology required! Instead of GPS, you follow written clues and riddles to find hidden boxes.
How It Works:
- Visit AtlasQuest.com or Letterboxing.org
- Find clues for boxes near you
- Follow the written directions (like a treasure map!)
- Find the hidden box
- Stamp your personal notebook with the box's stamp
- Stamp the box's logbook with YOUR stamp
- Re-hide it
What You Need:
- Personal stamp (create your own!)
- Ink pad
- Personal notebook
- Printed clues
Getting Started: Family Beginner Guide
Geocaching Setup (10 minutes)
Step 1: Download the App
- Geocaching (official app) - Free version works great
- c:geo (Android) - Free, full-featured alternative
Step 2: Create a Free Account
Register at geocaching.com (free)
Step 3: Find Your First Cache
Open the app → See nearby caches → Select an "easy" difficulty → Navigate and find!
Step 4: Bring Supplies
- Phone (charged!)
- Pen/pencil (to sign log)
- Small treasures to trade (optional)
- Bag for trinkets
Letterboxing Setup (15 minutes)
Step 1: Create an Account
Register at AtlasQuest.com (free)
Step 2: Make a Personal Stamp
- Carve from eraser
- Buy custom stamp online
- Get rubber stamp made
Step 3: Find Clues
Search for Tampa letterboxes → Print clues → Head out!
Step 4: Bring Supplies
- Personal stamp
- Ink pad
- Personal notebook
- Printed clues
- Pen
Best Geocaching Locations in Tampa Bay
These parks have high cache concentrations and family-friendly terrain:
Al Lopez Park
Location: Tampa
Why Great for Beginners: Flat terrain, many easy caches, playground after!
Cache Count: 15+ caches
Tip: Perfect first geocaching adventure
Lettuce Lake Park
Location: Tampa (Fletcher Ave)
Why Great: Beautiful boardwalk, nature + treasure hunting
Cache Count: 10+ caches
Tip: Combine with wildlife watching
Hillsborough River State Park
Location: Thonotosassa
Why Great: Trail caches, adventure setting
Cache Count: 20+ caches
Cost: $6 vehicle entry
Tip: Make it a half-day adventure
Upper Tampa Bay Park
Location: Oldsmar
Why Great: Beach + trail caches, variety
Cache Count: 15+ caches
Tip: Reward with beach time after
Philippe Park
Location: Safety Harbor
Why Great: Beautiful setting, history, bay views
Cache Count: 10+ caches
Tip: Huge oak trees, great picnic spot
Fort De Soto Park
Location: Tierra Verde
Why Great: Beach caches, adventure setting
Cache Count: 30+ caches
Cost: $5 vehicle entry
Tip: Full day of treasure hunting possible
Weedon Island Preserve
Location: St. Petersburg
Why Great: Nature boardwalks + caches
Cache Count: 10+ caches
Tip: Educational experience + hunting
Cache Types Explained
| Type | Description | Good for Beginners? |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional | Container at posted coordinates | ✅ Yes! |
| Multi-Cache | Visit multiple points to final | ⚠️ Moderate |
| Mystery/Puzzle | Solve puzzle for coordinates | ❌ Advanced |
| Earth Cache | Learn geology at location | ✅ Yes |
| Virtual | No container, just visit spot | ✅ Yes |
For families: Start with Traditional caches rated 1.5 or lower difficulty!
Difficulty & Terrain Ratings
Caches are rated 1-5 for both Difficulty (finding it) and Terrain (getting there):
| Rating | Difficulty | Terrain |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | In plain sight | Wheelchair accessible |
| 1.5 | Easy to find | Easy walk |
| 2 | Average | Short walk, flat |
| 2.5 | Tricky | Uneven ground |
| 3 | Challenging | Hills, obstacles |
| 4+ | Very hard | Difficult terrain |
For kids: Stick to 1-2 difficulty and 1-2.5 terrain
Tips for Geocaching with Kids
Before You Go
- Filter for easy caches (D/T 1.5 or less)
- Read recent logs (confirm cache is there)
- Check size (larger = easier for kids)
- Charge your phone fully
- Bring trade items (dollar store toys, stickers)
Making It Fun
- Let kids hold the phone and navigate
- Make it a "treasure hunt" not a "walk"
- Celebrate every find!
- Bring trade items they picked out
- Take photos at each find
Trade Item Ideas (Cheap & Fun)
- Matchbox cars ($1 each)
- Bouncy balls
- Plastic animals
- Keychains
- Small LEGO kits
- Stickers
- Temporary tattoos
- Friendship bracelets
Rule: Take something, leave something of EQUAL or GREATER value
If You Can't Find It
- Don't stress! "DNF" (Did Not Find) happens
- Check recent logs for hints
- Return another day with fresh eyes
- Move on to the next one
Geocaching Etiquette
Do:
- Sign the logbook
- Trade fairly (or leave extra)
- Re-hide exactly as found
- Log your find online
- Pick up any litter you see
Don't:
- Take items without trading
- Move the cache
- Tell others exact locations (no spoilers!)
- Damage the environment
- Give up cache locations to non-cachers
Trackables & Travel Bugs
What are they?
Special items with tracking codes that travel from cache to cache around the world!
How they work:
- Find a trackable in a cache
- Log the code in the app
- Move it to another cache
- Log the new location
- Watch it travel!
Kids love: Tracking items across the world on a map
Geocaching Events
Tampa Bay has an active geocaching community with events:
- CITO (Cache In Trash Out) - Environmental cleanup + caching
- Meet & Greets - Social events with local cachers
- GeoTours - Themed cache trails
Find events at: geocaching.com/play/search (filter by event)
Letterboxing in Tampa Bay
While geocaching is more popular, letterboxing has dedicated fans. Find Tampa letterboxes at:
- AtlasQuest.com - Main database
- Letterboxing.org - Additional listings
Popular Tampa Letterbox Locations:
- Hillsborough River State Park
- Fort De Soto
- Phillipe Park
- Various Pinellas parks
Create Your Own Cache or Letterbox
Once your family is hooked, consider hiding your own!
Geocaching:
- Premium membership required to hide
- Must follow placement guidelines
- Submit for review/approval
- Maintain your cache
Letterboxing:
- Free to hide
- Write creative clues
- Carve a stamp
- Post clues online
Geocaching and letterboxing transform ordinary park visits into exciting adventures! Start with easy caches at Al Lopez Park, and before you know it, your kids will be begging to go treasure hunting every weekend. Happy hunting! 🗺️
