By Billy Oatey
Metal detecting is a wonderful hobby for children and an excellent learning opportunity. But where to begin when starting out with a hobby never tried before? A few simple preparations and precautions will make the introduction to the fascinating world of treasure hunting much easier. Use these 5 tips to help you get started.
1. Buy the Right Kids Metal Detector
Many people equate the price of a metal detector with its ability to find treasure. In many cases this may be true, but not always. The temptation is often to spend more money on a metal detector than you have and sometimes that additional cost may not provide a significant enough functional improvement to justify the extra money. So consider carefully based upon a balance of budget and needs. This is especially important when purchasing a children's metal detector, since you want to find a rugged and reasonably low cost unit, but still have something that the child can use. If the unit is so inexpensive that it cannot find any metal, the child won't play with the toy for long. On the other hand you might be reluctant to let a younger child play with a very expensive locator. Electronic treasure hunting devices, like almost all other electronic devices, are breakable if you abuse them enough.
A number of different websites publish reviews of various metal detectors and those can go a long way toward helping make a decision and saving money that otherwise might be better spent on accessories such as digging tools and bags.
2. Learn to Use Your Metal Detector
A kids metal detector should be fairly simple and easy to operate. Even so, it is important to learn to use the metal detector yourself so that you understand what the gauges, readouts, and sounds mean and can help your child learn to use the metal detector efficiently. Different manufacturers will use different methods of signaling the operator when an item of particular interest has been passed over by the search coil. Beginners can usually pick these signals up fairly easily, but to become really proficient with the metal detector expect to spend some time practicing. Time spent learning to use the metal detector can be an important parent-child bonding time during which everyone can have a good time.
3. Metal Detecting Accessories
When considering accessories it is important to think about the area or location where the metal detector will be used. Hard soils and rocks will require different digging tools than soft sandy soils or mud.
For beach searching, a sand scoop is very helpful. The same item would not be of much use at all when working in most backyards. For working in the backyard a probe, garden trowel, or one of the newer digging tools specifically designed for treasure hunting is highly useful. One unfortunate accident that occurs frequently to beginners is to damage the object you have found while trying to dig it up. Often, in the excitement that comes when the metal detector beeps beginners may begin digging rapidly and without considering what may lie beneath the ground. In most cases a minor scratch or 2 on a found object may not make much difference. But if the object is jewelry or something fragile, it could easily be damaged by the wrong digging tool and technique. So consider carefully which tool will be used for which soil type, and remember to dig slowly and carefully that you can replace the side without leaving any marks. These 2 steps should help avoid damaging any treasure found before it is dug up.
A small box or pouch for carrying found items is very useful. Scuba divers frequently carry mesh "goodie" bags to bring back things that they find while diving, and such an item might be useful for treasure hunting with a metal detector at the beach as long as the mesh in the bag was small enough to prevent small items from falling out.
One very handy accessory is a carrying case for the metal detector. This can keep a metal detector clean and free from dust when stored in a closet waiting for use, and it can also help carry some of the other accessories necessary for the hobby.
4. Learn How to Research
One easy method is to visit the local historical society, Museum, or library. These places often have a wealth of information about the location of old buildings, factories, stores, homes, schools and other places where people may have congregated in the past. Generally, places where people have congregated are places where you will find treasures lost.
Children may find researching is as easy as asking neighbors questions. Often, longtime residents of the area may remember the locations of stores, houses, or parks that are no longer in existence. These can be great places to treasure hunt just remember to ask permission. Consider starting with neighbors and family members, and ask them to reminisce about things they remember the community from years ago.
5. Ask Permission
There are many places that are open to metal detecting, but whenever you are searching a location that is off your own property, it is wise to seek permission to search. In many cases this is as easy as asking the property owner or the person in charge. For the most part, people will allow you to search as long as you are not destroying lawns or flower beds. So be prepared to carefully remove and replace sod when searching on someone else's lawn, on public land, or in a community park. The idea is to remove the side so carefully but afterward no one knows that you have even been there. Sometimes public parks will have limitations or restrictions on metal detecting and these are often in reaction to hobbyists who have misused the park by not properly refilling holes, so it is always a good idea to check the rules specific to that park before beginning to dig.
A kids metal detector is a great gift, and metal detecting itself is an enjoyable hobby for both young and old alike. With a little research, a little practice, and little luck, almost anyone can be successful. You only need to find the right kids metal detector and the right place to search to turn almost any kid into an adventurer.
Billy Oatey invites you to visit his blog kids metal detectors for even more tips for young treasure hunters. http://discovermetaldetecting.com
Metal detecting is a wonderful hobby for children and an excellent learning opportunity. But where to begin when starting out with a hobby never tried before? A few simple preparations and precautions will make the introduction to the fascinating world of treasure hunting much easier. Use these 5 tips to help you get started.
1. Buy the Right Kids Metal Detector
Many people equate the price of a metal detector with its ability to find treasure. In many cases this may be true, but not always. The temptation is often to spend more money on a metal detector than you have and sometimes that additional cost may not provide a significant enough functional improvement to justify the extra money. So consider carefully based upon a balance of budget and needs. This is especially important when purchasing a children's metal detector, since you want to find a rugged and reasonably low cost unit, but still have something that the child can use. If the unit is so inexpensive that it cannot find any metal, the child won't play with the toy for long. On the other hand you might be reluctant to let a younger child play with a very expensive locator. Electronic treasure hunting devices, like almost all other electronic devices, are breakable if you abuse them enough.
A number of different websites publish reviews of various metal detectors and those can go a long way toward helping make a decision and saving money that otherwise might be better spent on accessories such as digging tools and bags.
2. Learn to Use Your Metal Detector
A kids metal detector should be fairly simple and easy to operate. Even so, it is important to learn to use the metal detector yourself so that you understand what the gauges, readouts, and sounds mean and can help your child learn to use the metal detector efficiently. Different manufacturers will use different methods of signaling the operator when an item of particular interest has been passed over by the search coil. Beginners can usually pick these signals up fairly easily, but to become really proficient with the metal detector expect to spend some time practicing. Time spent learning to use the metal detector can be an important parent-child bonding time during which everyone can have a good time.
3. Metal Detecting Accessories
When considering accessories it is important to think about the area or location where the metal detector will be used. Hard soils and rocks will require different digging tools than soft sandy soils or mud.
For beach searching, a sand scoop is very helpful. The same item would not be of much use at all when working in most backyards. For working in the backyard a probe, garden trowel, or one of the newer digging tools specifically designed for treasure hunting is highly useful. One unfortunate accident that occurs frequently to beginners is to damage the object you have found while trying to dig it up. Often, in the excitement that comes when the metal detector beeps beginners may begin digging rapidly and without considering what may lie beneath the ground. In most cases a minor scratch or 2 on a found object may not make much difference. But if the object is jewelry or something fragile, it could easily be damaged by the wrong digging tool and technique. So consider carefully which tool will be used for which soil type, and remember to dig slowly and carefully that you can replace the side without leaving any marks. These 2 steps should help avoid damaging any treasure found before it is dug up.
A small box or pouch for carrying found items is very useful. Scuba divers frequently carry mesh "goodie" bags to bring back things that they find while diving, and such an item might be useful for treasure hunting with a metal detector at the beach as long as the mesh in the bag was small enough to prevent small items from falling out.
One very handy accessory is a carrying case for the metal detector. This can keep a metal detector clean and free from dust when stored in a closet waiting for use, and it can also help carry some of the other accessories necessary for the hobby.
4. Learn How to Research
One easy method is to visit the local historical society, Museum, or library. These places often have a wealth of information about the location of old buildings, factories, stores, homes, schools and other places where people may have congregated in the past. Generally, places where people have congregated are places where you will find treasures lost.
Children may find researching is as easy as asking neighbors questions. Often, longtime residents of the area may remember the locations of stores, houses, or parks that are no longer in existence. These can be great places to treasure hunt just remember to ask permission. Consider starting with neighbors and family members, and ask them to reminisce about things they remember the community from years ago.
5. Ask Permission
There are many places that are open to metal detecting, but whenever you are searching a location that is off your own property, it is wise to seek permission to search. In many cases this is as easy as asking the property owner or the person in charge. For the most part, people will allow you to search as long as you are not destroying lawns or flower beds. So be prepared to carefully remove and replace sod when searching on someone else's lawn, on public land, or in a community park. The idea is to remove the side so carefully but afterward no one knows that you have even been there. Sometimes public parks will have limitations or restrictions on metal detecting and these are often in reaction to hobbyists who have misused the park by not properly refilling holes, so it is always a good idea to check the rules specific to that park before beginning to dig.
A kids metal detector is a great gift, and metal detecting itself is an enjoyable hobby for both young and old alike. With a little research, a little practice, and little luck, almost anyone can be successful. You only need to find the right kids metal detector and the right place to search to turn almost any kid into an adventurer.
Billy Oatey invites you to visit his blog kids metal detectors for even more tips for young treasure hunters. http://discovermetaldetecting.com
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