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Cemetery Fun For Kids

Geocaching· Travel Tips


Explaining the allure of wandering among antique tombstones can be somewhat enigmatic. Perhaps it is the feeling that cemeteries are much more for the living than the dead. Or maybe it is the photographic opportunities of the stark grey edges of the stones against the greenery and bright blue sky. Whatever it is, I love to stroll around old cemeteries.

As much as I love to lose myself in names and dates and carvings, my kids need a little more direction. Fortunately, there are some easy activities to engage kids in cemetery wandering. After a briefing about the rules and etiquette of cemetery, I set the kids free with a few activities and free myself to wander and photograph.

1. Stone rubbings. A time honored craft, grave rubbings are actually a very easy way to get kids engaged at a cemetery. Although special papers and rubbing waxes are available, no special materials are required. I like to cut pieces of white craft paper into various sizes and roll them for easy transport. You will also need some type of color, such as crayons, chalk, or charcoal. Chalk and charcoal will make smoother rubbings, but are messy. We usually use crayons with the labels peeled off, also known around here as ‘naked crayons’. Masking tape can be useful for holding the paper in place, but you also just allow a pair of kids to hold for each other and practice the fine art of cooperation. Caution kids that they should not rub very thin headstones, as they could break. Also, be aware that some cemeteries require you to register to make rubbings or do not allow rubbings at all.

2. Geocaching. What could be better than a treasure hunt in a graveyard? Earlier this week, I shared about the benefits of geocaching for traveling families. This especially holds true for a cemetery. We have never visited a cemetery where there were not two or more caches within the walls. Best of all, geocaching within a cemetery will often lead you to the more historic headstones or to parts of the cemetery that you would not have explored on your own.

3. Scavenger Hunts. This is a great way to get kids to read and notice the details of the gravestones as you wander through a cemetery. Some cemeteries are famous enough that I will make up a specialized scavenger hunt just for that cemetery, but mostly I find a generic hunt fits the bill. Click on the links below to print your own scavenger hunt for readers and non-readers. Off the cuff scavenger hunts are easy to prepare, as well. Have kids find every letter of the alphabet within the headstones. If you brought rubbing supplies, challenge them to making a rubbing of all 26 letters. X and Z will be a challenge, but a challenge that the kids will love.

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  2. I am your newest follower from Wobble Over Wednesday. Would love for you to stop by and say hi!

  6. What a great idea! Cemeteries are so full of history. I love walking through the really old ones and reading the head stones.

    Thank you for stopping by and participating in the Get Wired Blog Hop. I am following you.

    Have a great evening!

    Vickie
    http://victoriasvoice44.blogspot.com

  8. Oh I have to follow you – what a load of neat ideas and I love cemetaries and am often given a hard time about it by friends. I especially love old cenetaries when people were brave enough to write very interesting things on the headstones. Come to Australia you’d love some of ours!

  9. What a neat idea. We actually visit some old historical cemeteries and have taken our son. This would be a great idea for him to do when he gets a little older.

  10. Thanks for this! I am going to our city cemetery tomorrow to do some research for an article I am writing, and need something to help keep my kids busy while we are there. 🙂

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