Creative Uses for Altoids-Style Tins in Geocaching
Sometimes the best cache containers don’t come from an outdoor store — they come from your pocket or kitchen cabinet. Altoids-style tins have become a geocaching classic because they’re small, portable, and easy to disguise. With a little creativity (and some weatherproofing), they can be transformed into all kinds of clever hides.
Here are some fun and creative ways geocachers use these retro-style tins out in the field.
1. The Classic Urban Micro
Altoids-style tins are slim enough to slip under benches, inside lamp post skirts, or behind signs. With a magnet on the back, they can stick right to metal surfaces for a sneaky urban hide. Perfect for areas where bigger containers won’t fit.
2. The Mini Puzzle Box
Why stop at a simple logbook? Turn your tin into a puzzle cache. Add a small lock, a sliding mechanism, or paint it with a puzzle clue that finders must solve to open. A little DIY can make your tin unforgettable.
3. The Disguised Cache
Altoids tins are easy to camouflage:
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Paint them to blend in with rocks or tree bark.
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Wrap them in duct tape for a “weathered” look.
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Label them with something misleading like “Spare Screws” or “Emergency Fuses.”
Sometimes the best disguise is making it look boring.
4. The Sticker Swap Cache
Because of their flat shape, tins make the perfect mini “sticker swap.” Geocachers love trading stickers, and a tin is the perfect place to hold a collection of them. (Pro tip: line the inside with wax paper or a plastic sleeve to keep stickers dry.)
5. The Traveling Cache Container
While most caches stay put, some owners use tins as trackable-style caches that move from place to place. A tin is light enough to carry and can hold a log plus a note explaining its mission. Just be sure to follow Geocaching.com’s guidelines if you make one of these.
6. The Multi-Stage Hint Holder
Tins are great for use in multi-caches. Instead of being the final container, they can hold coordinates, QR codes, or clues that lead to the final location. They’re slim, easy to hide, and keep the adventure moving.
7. The “Hidden in Plain Sight” Cache
Paint a tin to match its environment, then place it right where people walk by every day. On a fence post, under a railing, even inside a fake electrical box — tins are perfect for sneaky “you’ve walked by it a hundred times” hides.
Making Tins Last Longer Outdoors
One downside of Altoids tins? They’re metal, which means rust and moisture can be an issue. To help your tin survive:
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Coat it with clear spray sealant or outdoor paint.
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Use a waterproof baggie or sleeve inside.
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Add a magnet for secure placement and to avoid ground moisture.
Final Thoughts
Altoids-style tins are more than just containers — they’re a blank canvas for creativity. Whether you’re hiding a sneaky micro in the city, a multi-stage clue holder, or a retro sticker swap, these little tins pack a lot of potential into a small package.
👉 At Big B’s Cache Supplies, we’re bringing back Altoids-style geocaching tins with stickers — perfect for your next creative hide.