Metal Detecting Hunt

Metal detecting treasure hunt. Borrow a detector and fill a junk jar and a treasure jar.

Borrow, rent or buy a beginner metal detector and bring a hand trowel and a pouch. Hunt only where digging is allowed: a friend's yard or field with the owner's permission is easiest, and many parks and beaches need a permit or ban digging, so check the local rules first. Sweep slowly and low, dig small neat holes, fill every one back in, and carry out all the trash you find. Kids can hold the detector and sift, but keep hands out of the holes, since broken glass is common. Most beeps are nails and pull tabs, so keep a junk jar and a treasure jar and give points for the oldest find. Get a photo of your first real find in your palm.

• Date or adventure
• 1-3 hours
• Moderate
• $20-60
• Outdoors
• Spring, summer, and fall
• Daytime

Photo prompts along the way

1. The detector, ready to sweep
2. Digging at the beep
3. Your first find in your palm
4. The junk jar
5. The treasure jar

Kids' version

Treasure hunt with a beeping machine!

1. The treasure machine
2. The spot where it beeped
3. Something shiny you found
4. The treasure jar
5. A selfie with your grown-up!

Checked November 2026

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