Treasure Hole
On a Steep Shingle Beach
Dig deep, hide well, find glory — adapted for steep shingle 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
Pebble and shingle beaches slope sharply into the sea. While you can't dig a traditional sand hole, the loose stones allow for brilliant channel, dam, and moat building above the tideline where any small amount of sand collects. Think construction more than excavation.
Compatibility
Ratings
Best Seasons
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What You'll Need
- spade
- bucket
- something to bury
How to Dig It — Steep Shingle Beach Edition
- 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 Steep Shingle Beach
Spring
Sand holds well in spring moisture. Good time for multi-step treasure trails across the beach.
On this beach in spring: Stones shift and collapse more than sand. Hands and knees take a beating — gloves recommended. True hole digging is limited to sandy pockets.
Summer
Bury deeper than usual — dry surface sand collapses and can reveal the spot prematurely.
On this beach in summer: Stones shift and collapse more than sand. Hands and knees take a beating — gloves recommended. True hole digging is limited to sandy pockets.
Autumn
Darker sand makes it harder to spot disturbed ground — genuinely harder to find. Perfect for older children.
On this beach in autumn: Stones shift and collapse more than sand. Hands and knees take a beating — gloves recommended. True hole digging is limited to sandy pockets.
Winter
Fast and fun. The cold keeps adults digging quickly. Use waterproof wrapping for the treasure.
On this beach in winter: Stones shift and collapse more than sand. Hands and knees take a beating — gloves recommended. True hole digging is limited to sandy pockets.