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These days it can be tough to pull kids away from their laptops and other devices to get them to play outside and enjoy nature. But there’s a fun way you can let them use your smartphone AND discover nature while getting exercise together as a family… Geocaching! And we’re here to show you how to start geocaching with your kids using the new free Ecokeepers™ program from our sponsor Envirokidz.
What is Geocaching?
Geocaching is like an outdoor treasure hunting game where you use the GPS on your smartphone to locate and hunt down geocaches.
There is a free geocaching app that you can download on your smartphone to get started. But if you’re going to regularly geocache, you may want to pay for the upgrade as it’s more precise and offers more features. We decided to purchase the paid upgrade for the geocaching app.
You first want to go to www.geocaching.com and sign up for an account and then download the geocaching app on your smartphone.
This quick guide to geocaching for beginners is really helpful.
What is the ecokeepers program?
The Ecokeepers™ program from Envirokidz makes geocaching for kids even more engaging and educational.
Watch this quick video and our three girls will explain…
Ecokeepers™ combines a printed explorer guide with fun prompts and questions to get kids more engaged with nature and the environment around them while they hunt for the geocache.
Schools and camps can receive free Ecokeepers™ kits that include
- Free geocache and GPS trackable ladybug to hide for others to discover
- 12-page Explorer Guide with camp/teacher resources
- EnviroKidz peanut-free, gluten-free, organic and non-GMO granola and rice bars to help fuel the journey
Parents can download a free printable version of the Explorer Guide.
(Note: All the materials for kids are totally unbranded, so it’s all about learning and discovering.)
Our girls really enjoyed using the Explorer Guide while we were out geocaching. They loved looking for all the items listed and answering the questions while we walked.
We live in the Pacific Northwest where city parks provide fabulous pockets of forest. But remember that nature is all around us even in the middle of a busy city. So you can use Ecokeepers anywhere… in a nature trail, local park, school yard or even in a city center.
If you would like to get the ecokeepers program for your school or camp, visit envirokidz.com/ecokeepers or email ecokeepers@envirokidz.com.
And definitely download the printable Explorer Guide to use at home with your kids.
Giveaway
You can win an EnviroKidz Ecokeepers Prize Pack worth $75 containing…
- Ecokeepers program materials: activity books for kids and parent’s guide
- GPS trackable ladybug to hide for others to discover
- 6 boxes of new EnviroKidz Organic, Peanut Free Snack Bars, including Chocolate Chip and Strawberry. Over 80% of Canadian schools are peanut-free so these bars are perfect fun snack for lunchboxes!
- 7 x Product Vouchers
- EnviroKidz reusable lunchbox
Open to both Canadian and US residents.
Please leave us a comment telling us if you’ve ever tried geocaching and if you think your kids would like to try Ecokeepers. Then complete your entry using the form below.
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored, so extra thanks for reading and sharing.
Written by Susan Carraretto, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
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I haven’t tried geocaching but my kids love being outside so I think they would enjoy ecokeepers
We have gone geocaching a few times recently. I think my daughter would love Ecokeepers.
My husband and I have gone geocaching before, and I would love to do so with the kids. This seems perfect for homeschooling activities.
We’re going camping this weekend. I haven’t tried geocathing before, but I think I will try it this weekend if I can get the app to work where we are going. Looks like fun.
I’ve never tried geocaching. I think my kids would love ecokeepers since they like to spend time outside.
We’ve never tried geocaching and I know my daughter would love the Ecokeepers. She loves stuff like that!
We have not tried geocaching before, but would like to. I think my kids would love to try Ecokeepers! Thanks for the giveaway!
I haven’t been geocaching with my niece and nephews but I think they’d love it, and I know their mom would rock it!
We’ve never tried geocaching. I’m sure the kids would love it – and I’d love it because they are having fun and learning all at the same time. Thanks
No we’ve never tried geocaching before but would like to. And yes we would like to try Ecokeepers.
No, I have never tried geocaching, but do think that my kids would like to try Ecokeepers. 😉
It’s fun to do. We also do painted rock hunting locally!
We started geocaching this summer and are totally addicted! We just did our 150th find in 6 different states =) We have both of our teens involved with it and they love it as well. This would be perfect for my niece for when she gets a bit older and able to start geocaching too!
I’ve heard about geocaching but never tried it! But I know my kids would love this…and what a great way to get them out & appreciating the outdoors & our earth!
We have not yet tried geocaching yet, but my oldest son, now 21, does with his buddies. He tells us about the crazy places they find the caches, as well as the interesting items inside. 🙂
My 7-yr-old daughter has gotten pretty excited about trying this new adventure just from hearing about her brother’s experiences! Would love to try this!
Oh my! I would have loved this as a kid. It was the type of activity that I loved.
When my son gets a bit older, I may have to give it a try.
We’ve never geocached, but i think my kids would really love it! very fun and outdoorsy!
Have not tried it, but I would like too. I think our kids would really enjoy trying EcoKeepers.
We have been geocaching since May and love it! Just found our 250th cache a few weeks ago!
I have never tried it with my kids but it seems fun. My kids actually did some geocaching this summer with friends.
We have not yet tried geocaching but I think my little one would love to try Ecokeepers.
No we have not tried it but really want to, i think it would be fun and something to do as a family
We love Geocaching! I think the Ecokeepers stuff will add to the experience!
I have never done geocaching but we’ve been talking about it. My daughter would love this kit.
My kids love geocaching. We try to geocache while on road trips and I know they would love to try this kit.
We have not been geocaching…..but we really want to try it.
We have been geocaching for years, we have 3159 finds!
My boys would go crazy for this!
I’ve never tried geocaching but find it interesting. Sounds like a lot of fun and my granddaughters would love it!
we have done geocaching twice a couple of summers ago and really enjoyed it
We love Geocaching in our house (I wrote a “What is Geocaching?” post last week myself, and we are heading out Sunday for some caching), this pack looks like a fun addition.
My kids (and husband) loves geo caching. this would be fun!
My grandchildren would enjoy geocaching. It looks very special.
I have not tried it but my nephews and nieces would love to do this. This was a great review and the giveaway is outstanding.
We did a lot of geocaching with our boy when he was younger. Looking forward to enjoy this activity with my little girl too! I think she’s really like Ecokeepers!
I have not tried geocaching and do you think my grandchildren would like to try Ecokeepers.
I have not tried it yet but I would like to take my step grand daughters out to try it as I think they would like it
We have not tried it but I am sure we would love to try it.
My husband and I like to go geocaching on date nights, and my son is old enough now that he might really enjoy this!
i know nothing about it until now,,i have a niece that would love to do this
I’ve never tried geocaching but find it interesting. My nephew and his family are very involved with geocaching. I think my kids would like to try Ecokeepers. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I have tried geocaching. I think my kids would like to try the Ecokeepers program.
Looks like a lot of fun.
No, I haven’t tried geocaching before. I’m sure my nieces would like to try Ecokeepers though!
I have not tried geocaching. My grandson would love to try Ecokeepers, absolutely positive!
Yes, my family has tried geocaching and we love it! I think my kid would enjoy trying Ecokeepers.
my husband and i tried geocaching and found it to be quite fun! i think my daughter, who loves adventures, will love geocaching, too!
We have not tried geocaching yet, but we have been wanting to for a while. And yes, I think my kids would love to try Ecokeepers!