One of the biggest joys I've had from starting this crazy geocaching hobby has been introducing my kids to it. In the beginning, I called it "treasure hunting" and told my boys that we were searching for a "treasure chest" and they were always excited to go out hunting with me. Nowadays, the older one frequently whines, "We're going caching again?"

When we first started geocaching, my younger son was a toddler. Sometimes he needed to be rushed along (sometimes he still does; we call him our Poky Little Puppy). Sometimes he was as into the adventure as I was. I'd like to see all little ones that into the sport of geocaching. With that in mind, I present some tools and tips for taking your baby or toddler geocaching.

...some tools and tips for taking your baby or toddler geocaching. Equipment
For the small baby (newborn all the way up to toddler of 45 pounds or smaller, actually), I highly recommend the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. This is a great device that allows you to carry your small child in a variety of positions without hurting your back. Carrying a child in an OTSBH (as its fans affectionately refer to it) is just like carrying a child on your hip or in your arms, but your arms are left free for other things (such as prying open ammo boxes and Tupperware!). An OTSBH will cost you around $50, and one of the best things about them is that they come in three sizes, so even the "king-sized" or "queen-sized" cacher can use it - unlike some of the more expensive and less versatile front pack carriers.

For toddlers, the lightweight, no frills pick on Epinions seems to be the Kelty Meadow Child Carrier. I do not have experience with this particular carrier, but I know that lightweight carriers are a great way to take your toddler for a walk or to the park to find a geocache without much aggravation, aside from possibly some pulled hair! If you're lucky, your toddler might also fall asleep. This carrier will run you about $85. The mid-range Kelty carrier, the Kelty Ridgeline Baby Carrier, comes in at around $150. Next up the line is the Kelty Back Country Carrier, which has all of the great features of the other two, plus climbing rope handles (want to take that toddler on a terrain five caching trip?) and a sun-rain hood, as well as the all-important toy loops (so you're not having to lean over to retrieve the dropped items). This one will run you about $160. Finally, what Epinions calls "the pinnacle product in Kelty's child carrier line", is the Kelty Summit Child Carrier, which has more comfort features and a higher price at about $180, but sounds like it's perfect for long hikes over rough terrain. Now, that's some serious kid-caching! All of these carriers are rated for kids up to 45 pounds.

Alternately, you could put your baby or toddler in a rugged jogging stroller such as the Instep 10K Ultimate Aluminum Single KA175 Jogger, the highest-rated stroller of its kind on Epinions. This particular stroller comes with independent rear shock suspension (!), a retractable high top canopy with zippered storage pockets, and a parent console with cup holder and covered tray. Another plus is the reversible and removable padded seat, which means you can take off the seat and throw it in the wash after your kid spills something on it. The maximum child weight for this stroller is 50 pounds, and it'll set you back about $117.

Leave the challenging, long hike caches for those days when you have a babysitter. Tips for Successful Caching with Babies and Toddlers
Get the kids to dig out their unwanted toys (yes, even golf balls and Happy Meal prizes) and put them into their own backpacks, or in a compartment in your backpack. This also means that they don't get to trade unless they bring appropriate items to trade. Of course, getting your baby or small toddler to participate in this way could be a little challenging, but maybe you could bring along some of his discarded or outgrown toys and show him how it's done. It's amazing how quickly kids catch on.

Something to keep in mind when you cache with a little kid...you may have to cut your outing short. I know, I know, this is not a big shock. As a parent, you already know that your plans can easily go out the window when your kid is having a bad day, week, or life. However, it's even more frustrating when you're on the trail of a cache (especially when you are about to be FTF!) and your kid poops his pants, starts to throw a tantrum, or throws up (believe it or not, all of these have happened in our family). One way to look at it: Caching with little kids is about getting out and doing something active with your family - even if it's just for a little while. If you look at it that way, you can't be disappointed.

Leave the challenging, long hike caches for those days when you have a babysitter. What may sound fun to you may not sound like much fun to a little kid. Even if they don't have to walk (which is hard enough for someone with short legs), they can still get hot, tired, and cranky. Wait, that's me. Anyway...reserve those easy urban caches for when you have the kids with you, and those long hikes through regional parks for when they're at home with Grandma.

Avoid micros. I have yet to meet a kid in this age group who enjoys micro caches, except maybe if they are cleverly hidden or part of a theme series (my younger son still goes on and on about the solar system series that's hidden in our area - we have only gotten as far as Mars, and he'd like to proceed further!). Kids like finding the caches themselves (my kids keep count of how many they've found) and they like to trade things. If you take them searching for a bunch of micros, they'll get cranky. Trust me.

Last tip...and probably the most important one...Have fun! Don't make caching a task or a chore, and your enthusiasm for the fun and adventure will rub off on your kids, big or small.

And bring me back a McToy, will ya?