Treasure Hole

On a Rock Pool Beach

Dig deep, hide well, find glory — adapted for rock pool beach conditions.

About This Hole

A deep, narrow hole dug for the purpose of burying treasure — shells, pebbles, toy coins — and then finding it again. The game is in the ritual: marking the spot, pacing out the steps, drawing a map. Perfect for children aged 5 and up who can grasp the concept of a secret.

About This Beach

Beaches where rocky outcrops and platforms dominate, with sandy corridors and coves tucked between them. Digging happens in these sandy pockets, which are often sheltered and retain moisture well. The rock formations make natural walls and create interesting terrain for channel-building projects.

Compatibility

Good match — rock pool beaches provide solid conditions for this hole type with a little preparation.

Ratings

Rock Pool Beach digging

Treasure Hole ease

Best Seasons

🌱 Spring ☀️ Summer 🍂 Autumn ❄️ Winter

Safety — Beach: Rock surfaces are slippery when wet. Wear water shoes and supervise children around rock edges at all times.

Safety — Digging: Never leave a deep hole unattended. Fill it in before leaving the beach. Keep walls sloped, not vertical.

What You'll Need

spade
bucket
something to bury

Ages: 5 and up | Time: 20–40 minutes

How to Dig It — Rock Pool Beach Edition

Conditions on this beach: Coarse, gritty sand in pockets — often mixed with shell fragments. Rock pools fill and drain with the tide, creating natural water sources for your hole. Tidal channels between rocks can flood quickly.

Collect your treasure — shells, pebbles, small toys, wrapped sweets.
Choose your spot and pace out a route from a landmark (rock, towel, windbreak).
Draw a rough map while someone else digs.
Dig 40–60cm down, drop in the treasure wrapped in a bag or cloth.
Fill in and tamp down. Mark with a stick or shell. Hand over the map.
Watch the kids try to find it — intervene only if they're really lost.

Variations: For younger children, bury it shallowly and make the map simple. For older children, set multiple decoy spots. A clue trail leading to the map adds another layer.

Seasonal Tips for Rock Pool Beach

Spring

Sand holds well in spring moisture. Good time for multi-step treasure trails across the beach.

On this beach in spring: Sandy patches are smaller and more confined. Watch for sharp barnacles and slippery rocks nearby.

Summer

Bury deeper than usual — dry surface sand collapses and can reveal the spot prematurely.

On this beach in summer: Sandy patches are smaller and more confined. Watch for sharp barnacles and slippery rocks nearby.

Autumn

Darker sand makes it harder to spot disturbed ground — genuinely harder to find. Perfect for older children.

On this beach in autumn: Sandy patches are smaller and more confined. Watch for sharp barnacles and slippery rocks nearby.

Winter

Fast and fun. The cold keeps adults digging quickly. Use waterproof wrapping for the treasure.

On this beach in winter: Sandy patches are smaller and more confined. Watch for sharp barnacles and slippery rocks nearby.