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On the Hunt for Gold: How to Pan for Gold With Your Children

It’s been years and years since the initial gold rush, but the sense of adventure attached to it is definitely still there. In modern times, gold prospecting has become more than just an old story or a niche reserved for cowboys. Anyone and everyone can get into the fun of gold panning, including children.

One of the best parts of panning for gold with children is it can also become an educational experience for them. There’s a lot of history attached to gold panning, and they can have a taste of what it was like for prospectors before to go hunting for treasure. Aside from that, it’s also a fantastic way to get them inspired to spend more time outdoors.

Here are some of the best tips on how to pan for gold with your children:

Age matters a little, so plan smartly

Young children around the ages of 7 and 8 will likely have some interest for a time, but quickly get bored waiting for something exciting to happen. Needless to say, infants are best left with a sitter at home. If there are children who are unable to sit still for very long, they may not enjoy themselves either. Older children may be more interested during the entire duration of the activity.

Dress appropriately

There’s no uniform or special shirt or anything when it comes to gold panning. It’s definitely one of the bigger highlights of the entire affair. Whatever your child or children will need are already hanging up (or folded) in their closets. For a balance of mobility and protection, try pairing a t-shirt with shorts or jogging pants. Depending on the weather, add in some rain boots and/or a cap. You can’t go wrong with sneakers and a cap. On days when it’s particularly hot and sunny, it would be best to have sunscreen on hand.

Have enough equipment for everyone

It’s possible that someone in your family actually has a gold pan or two handy. Ask grandparents, uncles, aunts or cousins, or check with family friends who have an adventurous and/or curious streak. Also, if you want the best gold detector for Western Australia, check out Prospectors Patch!

Safety first

The act itself of gold panning with your child or children is absolutely safe. However, since it’s generally done near streams, it’s important to take note of water safety. Have full confidence in your child’s ability to swim? That’s all good and well, but there are unpredictable undercurrents in any number of creeks and rivers.

This should be a particular concern during the season wherein floods are prevalent. Observe the waters of the area you plan to do gold panning at first. If it’s rushing too quickly, a lifejacket may be in order. Be sure to choose areas that are shallow and calm. For best results, leave your child or children at home first and do an ocular inspection of the potential panning areas.

Conclusion

Panning for gold is a family-friendly activity that can be enjoyed by children and parents alike. Dress appropriately and be as safe as possible. Keep in mind that the bottom line isn’t necessarily to find gold; it’s the priceless treasure of spending time as a family.

Wondering where to get gold metal detectors and other equipment for your gold panning adventure with your kids? Prospectors Patch has what you need! We have been providing industry-leading services and equipment to a wide range of prospectors and explorers for over 20 years.