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Go spelunking

Go spelunking
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Explore a supervised local cave with adult guidance, wearing a helmet and headlamp, mapping passages, observing rocks and formations, and practicing safe caving.

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Step-by-step guide to explore a supervised local cave

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Where Do Caves Come From? | Let's Explore Caves! | SciShow Kids

What you need
Adult supervision required, gloves, headlamp, helmet, notebook, pencil, small backpack, sturdy shoes, water bottle

Step 1

Put on your helmet and fasten the chin strap.

Step 2

Turn on your headlamp to make sure the light is steady.

Step 3

Put on your sturdy shoes.

Step 4

Put on your gloves.

Step 5

Put a notebook and pencil into your backpack.

Step 6

Put a water bottle into your backpack.

Step 7

Meet the adult supervisor at the cave entrance and listen to the safety instructions.

Step 8

Enter the cave while staying within arm's reach of the adult.

Step 9

Walk slowly behind the adult.

Step 10

Stop at each junction and draw the passage shape in your notebook.

Step 11

Count the number of steps between two visible features.

Step 12

Mark the step count on your map in your notebook.

Step 13

Draw an arrow on your map showing the direction you were facing at that spot.

Step 14

Share your finished cave map and notes on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
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Help!?

What can we use if we don't have a helmet, headlamp, or sturdy gloves?

Use a bicycle helmet with a securely fastened chin strap, a flashlight with a head strap or clip-on light instead of the headlamp, and gardening or work gloves in place of specialized caving gloves.

My headlamp flickered and my notebook pages got wet—how can we avoid problems during the cave trip?

Before entering, 'Turn on your headlamp to make sure the light is steady' and bring spare batteries or a backup flashlight, and put a pencil and a small waterproof notebook or zip-top bag in your backpack to keep drawings from smudging.

How should we adapt the steps for a 4-year-old versus a 12-year-old?

For a 4-year-old keep the route very short with the adult within arm's reach, have them draw simple passage shapes and count a few steps, while a 12-year-old can walk slowly behind the adult, record detailed passage shapes, mark step counts and arrows, and help prepare the map to share on DIY.org.

What are easy ways to make our cave map more detailed or personalized before sharing it on DIY.org?

Measure your average step length at the cave entrance to convert step counts into distances, add colored-pencil symbols and a legend for features, draw the direction arrow clearly, and attach photos or labeled notes from your backpack before uploading to DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to explore a supervised local cave

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Let's Explore Caves! | SciShow Kids Compilation

4 Videos

Facts about caving for kids

⛑️ Wearing a helmet with a chin strap is essential in caves to protect against bumps, falling rocks, and scrapes.

🔦 Modern LED headlamps let cavers keep both hands free for climbing and mapping while shining light for many hours.

🕳️ Most caves form when slightly acidic water slowly dissolves rock—limestone caves are the most common type.

🧭 Some cave systems stretch for hundreds of kilometers—Mammoth Cave is the longest known cave system in the world.

🪨 Stalactites (hanging) and stalagmites (rising) grow only a few millimeters to centimeters a year and can take centuries to form.

How do I take my child spelunking safely?

Start by choosing a supervised, family-friendly cave and book a guided tour or contact a local caving club. Before entering, brief your child on helmet and light rules, staying close, and following the guide. Practice mapping simple passages by sketching as you go, point out formations, and keep trips short. Stay calm in tight spots, encourage communication, and exit at the first sign of fatigue or fear. Never explore unknown caves without experienced adult supervision.

What materials do I need for child-friendly spelunking?

Bring a well-fitting helmet with chinstrap, reliable headlamp plus spare batteries or backup light, sturdy closed-toe boots, warm layered clothing, and gloves. Pack knee pads, a small backpack with water, high-energy snacks, basic first-aid, a whistle, pencil and small notebook for mapping, and a lightweight emergency blanket. Consider renting gear from the guide service if available and carry a charged phone in a waterproof case only for surface use.

What ages are suitable for going spelunking with children?

Many guided show caves welcome children around 4–6 for easy, well-lit tours. For supervised, hands-on spelunking with crawling or mapping, children around 8–10 and older are usually better prepared. Assess each child’s comfort in dark, confined spaces, ability to follow instructions, and physical endurance. Always consult the tour operator or guide for age recommendations and consider health issues, fear of heights, or claustrophobia before booking.

What safety precautions should I take when spelunking with kids?

Get a pre-trip safety briefing, check cave conditions and weather for flood risk, and always use an experienced guide. Enforce helmet and headlamp use, practice the buddy system, and set clear boundaries. Teach kids not to touch formations or disturb wildlife. Limit trip length, keep close to the guide, and have an emergency plan with a surface contact who knows your itinerary. Avoid solo exploration or risky passages and carry a basic first-aid kit.
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