Making Every Stop a Treasure Hunt

We spend a lot of time looking at the horizon on our trips, but lately, the kids have been more interested in what’s buried a few inches underground. CKG sent us their metal detecting starter kit to try out, and it’s quickly become one of those "always on hand" items for our road trips.

If you’ve ever tried an activity with kids that requires patience—like fishing—you know the risk of a "skunked" day. If they don’t find something fast, they’re over it. That’s why this kit actually works for us.

The "Guaranteed Win"

The coolest part of this specific set is the Treasure Hunt Adventure Kit. It comes with five metal targets you can hide yourself.

When we’re at a campsite or a park where we aren't sure if there’s much to find, we "seed" the area with these targets. It turns the afternoon into a scavenger hunt where I know they’re going to get a hit on the detector. It builds their confidence with the gear and, honestly, keeps the complaining to a minimum because they’re actually finding "treasure."

Real Gear, Not Toys

One thing I noticed immediately is the quality of the tools. Usually, "starter kits" come with flimsy plastic shovels that snap the second they hit dry dirt. CKG’s background is in professional sand scoops, so the shovel and sifter included here are heavy-duty metal. They’re built to actually dig, which makes a big difference when you’re trying to teach the boys how to properly dig a small "plug" of dirt and leave the ground looking like we were never there.

The detector itself is light. The boys can swing it for a while without their arms giving out, and it folds down small enough to tuck into the gaps between our storage bins in the back of the car.

Why We’re Carrying It

We’re always looking for ways to make our stops more than just a bathroom break or a quick meal. Having the detector on hand gives us an excuse to explore a corner of a park we might have walked right past. It’s a bit of a strategic move on our part—it keeps them moving, keeps them curious, and gives us a break from the "are we there yet" routine.

Grab One for Your Next Trip

If you want to try it out, you can use our code to save a bit of money.

Code: daniellsgo7 gets you 7% off any collection on the CKG site.

It’s a solid investment if you want to turn your next family outing into a bit of an adventure. Whether you’re hitting a beach or just the local woods, it’s a lot of fun to see what you can pull out of the ground.