Treasure Hole

On a Sheltered Cove

Dig deep, hide well, find glory — adapted for sheltered cove 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

Small, enclosed beaches sheltered by headlands or cliffs. The calm water and shelter from wind means sand stays damp and workable for longer. Often backed by cliffs that provide shade. The intimate scale makes these ideal for family sessions — natural rock walls frame your digging area.

Compatibility

Good match — sheltered covees provide solid conditions for this hole type with a little preparation.

Ratings

Sheltered Cove digging

Treasure Hole ease

Best Seasons

🌱 Spring ☀️ Summer 🍂 Autumn ❄️ Winter

Safety — Beach: Check cliff stability before sitting near the base. Tides can cut off exits in enclosed coves — know your escape route and always check tide 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 — Sheltered Cove Edition

Conditions on this beach: Medium to coarse sand, often mixed with small pebbles near the cliff base. Sheltered from swell but tidal range still applies. The small size of the beach means tides can cut you off — always check times.

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 Sheltered Cove

Spring

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

On this beach in spring: Limited space. Sand can be coarser and harder to work with finer tools. Cliffs can drop debris.

Summer

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

On this beach in summer: Limited space. Sand can be coarser and harder to work with finer tools. Cliffs can drop debris.

Autumn

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

On this beach in autumn: Limited space. Sand can be coarser and harder to work with finer tools. Cliffs can drop debris.

Winter

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

On this beach in winter: Limited space. Sand can be coarser and harder to work with finer tools. Cliffs can drop debris.