A few months ago I started to research Letterboxing – a fun “treasure hunt” activity that you can do throughout the world. This summer we’ve already found a few letterboxes, and we’ll probably hide a few as well. I’ll post more photos about our excursions in the next few weeks, but for now I’ll just share some letterboxing tips, as a part of Kailani’s group writing project.
1. Visit letterboxing.org and research the letterboxes that have been “planted” in your area. Look for the date the letterbox was last seen, to give yourself a better chance of actually finding it.
2. Consider letterboxing when you’re already visiting a geographical location, or choose to letterbox in areas that have several letterboxes hidden. It can be disappointing to travel a distance only to find the letterbox has been removed by someone who doesn’t understand the protocol.
3. Empower your kids to choose the letterboxes they would like to find – purchase city maps that help them to follow the clues.
4. Make a stamp (we carved on the end of a cork or eraser) and purchase an ink pad and small tablet for recording your visit in the letterbox. The tablet is used as a journal to record the letterbox stamps you discover.
5. Bring basic supplies like bug spray, sunblock, and baby wipes (for wiping down legs after walking into questionable weeds!)
6. Follow the Leave No Trace code of etiquette. Letterboxing only works if everyone makes an effort to keep the site just as they found it.
Works for us! We love it. Our kids are ages 9 and 11, which I think are probably the perfect age for this activity. For more fun ideas, visit Rocks in My Dryer on Wednesday.
Tags: letterboxing
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10:57 pm
We’ve been letterboxing since 2002 and love it! There was an article in our city’s paper back then, so we tried it out once and became hooked. Our daughter is four and is just now starting to “get it” and enjoy the hunt. I agree — your children are the perfect age for it!
12:21 am
This sounds like a great activity! Thanks for sharing.
1:36 am
I’ve been itching to do this!
7:48 am
We’ve been letterboxing a few years now after reading an article in Family Fun magazine. It’s lots of fun and the kids love it! I found a great stamp carver on Etsy that recently did my kids own stamps for them…her blog Happie Stamps is on my blog roll if you’re interested. =)
8:08 am
We’ve done this. So much fun! And quite the adventure.
5:46 pm
I’ve never heard of this. My kids would LOVE it! Getting great ideas from your site…thanks!
12:10 am
Oh that sounds great!
4:42 pm
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5:45 pm
I’ve never even heard of this before! But it sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks for educating me on this. =0)
6:28 am
Sounds like lots of fun! Maybe we’ll have to try it!
3:12 pm
Wow – sounds interesting! Kind of like geocaching only funner?
11:48 pm
We’ve done this and even the grown ups love it!
12:20 pm
Wow, that sounds really fun. I bet my son would LOVE that. Thanks for the links and the info. I’m going to look into it. I do see there are a few in my area..I already looked on the website!!
Thanks Kelly!
P.S. – I have a new blog now that is public so check it you if you get a chance. http://www.mylifeinpictures4u.blogspot.com
5:53 pm
Haha! My aunt was just telling me about this this weekend and it sounds like a lot of fun! My cousins are both 5 and they loved it too.
1:53 pm
[...] how to go letterboxing [...]
8:38 pm
[...] How To Go Letterboxing [...]