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Letterboxing and Geocaching- Take It Outside!
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Take It Outside, part 1: Letterboxing
We like to go outside in the northwest, no matter the weather. If you need a reason, how about a treasure hunt? Letterboxing is a modern twist on the old scavenger hunt. First, you go to a website to find a list of boxes that have been hidden across the Eastside (and the world). Each box has clues to help you find it, hidden in a public place, like the Bellevue Botanical Gardens. Inside each hidden box is an ink stamp and pad of paper. You bring along your own pad of paper and stamp, as well. When you find the box, you use your stamp to mark the pad in the box, and their stamp to mark your own pad, just like a passport! With each box you find, you get a new stamp! Here is a website to get you started.
Take It Outside, part 2: Geocaching
Want a treasure hunt that is more high tech than letterboxing? Try geocaching. Like letterboxing, you start at a website with a list of hidden boxes. Instead of following clues, you get a set of coordinates that tell you where the box is located. You enter the coordinates into a global positioning system (GPS), then head out to find the box. It sounds easy, but getting to the box can be tricky! Once you find it, you will discover a "cache" in the box- some sort of trinket you get to take with you. In exchange, you leave your own trinket for the next searcher to discover. Just like with Letterboxing, there are caches hidden all over the Eastside, like this one at Kirkland Marina Park.
Letterboxing and geocaching are year round activities (as long as you can weather the weather!) and make a great family activity. So take it outside!
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