The third hiding theme of 2026 is go, go gadget. This theme celebrates geocaches that go beyond the logbook, inviting finders to interact, explore, and engage, as well as geocaches that showcase beautiful water locations. Think gadget caches with buttons, switches, lights, or electronic puzzles, require a kayak or other watercraft to reach, or hides that are underwater or require water to get the log sheet.

Each quarter, we will introduce a new hiding theme to celebrate geocaches published in 2026. We will also feature geocaches from each theme on the Geocaching Blog and social media.

💡 Examples to inspire:

• Geocaches with gadgets, moving parts, electronics, or other interactive elements.
• Geocaches hidden near or in rivers, lakes, waterfalls, fountains, or other water features.
• Hides that make water part of the challenge, inviting finders to raise a floating container, manipulate the water level, or activate a water-based mechanism to access the logbook.

Ways to participate:

• Hide an interactive or water-themed geocache between August 1 and September 30, 2026. Submit your geocache using this form.
• Find an interactive or water-themed geocache between August 1 and September 30, 2026. Submit your find using this form.
• Share on Instagram and TikTok: Post your photos and videos and tag @geocaching. Use the hashtag #GeoHT26 for a chance to be featured on our Stories.

There are countless possibilities for what you can attach a container to, place a container under, or use to make a geocache. Use your creativity; many geocaches fit these criteria, but be sure to follow the geocache hiding guidelines.

Geocaching is universal, but laws are local. Help protect the game and yourself by following all applicable laws when hiding a geocache.

Check out Shop Geocaching to find items to help craft your on-theme geocaches.

We can’t wait to see the creative geocaches you share this quarter!