4 Ideas To Make Boating More Fun for Kids

Boating is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and see new sights, but it can also be a bit monotonous for children who prefer to remain on the move.

Discover some excellent ideas to make boating more fun for kids.

Purchase a Slide

When you’re on your boat, you want to take full advantage of various exciting water activities.

However, your little ones may be too young to participate in water skiing, wakeboarding, or tubing.

And even if they are big enough, they may be intimidated by these types of water sports.

Fear not! You can purchase an inflatable slide, attach it to the side or back of your boat, and enjoy hours of family fun.

A detachable slide works well with a variety of boats, including pontoon boats. Your little ones will love sliding and splashing over and over as you make precious shared memories in the water.

Play “I Spy”

There are many family games you can play on a boat, but one of the easiest and most entertaining options is the classic “I Spy.” Have each family member take a turn saying a phrase, such as, “I spy with my little eye a red buoy.”

Then, the rest of the group will need to spot the red buoy. Since there’s so much to see while cruising—including beaches, sailboats, and marine life—you can easily find ways to entertain your children.

Additionally, you can encourage your kids to count how many seagulls you pass or how many fish swim around your anchorage.

These types of activities engage children during long stretches when you’re cruising from location to location or simply enjoying the open water.

Cook Together in the Galley

If your youngsters love to cook, invite them to help you prepare a meal in the galley.

Cooking is a great idea to make boating more fun for kids because they’ll feel valued and appreciated. Kids of all ages can help in some capacity, from meal planning to setting the table.

If your kids love to fish, they can even help catch the main course. Fishing is another way to capture your child’s attention during a full day of boating.

Once they’ve made a successful catch, you can work together to prepare a delicious meal for the whole family.

Practice Tying Knots

A successful boater needs to know how to tie a wide range of knots. Therefore, it’s never too early to teach your kids about the various tying methods.

If your children are quite young, teaching them how to tie a knot can also help them learn how to tie their shoes.

Luckily, the internet has many illustrations and video tutorials that can help your little ones visualize the knots.

You can also demonstrate how to properly tie a bowline, the square knot, the clove hitch, and more. Your little ones will love learning a new skill that’s essential in the boating world.

With these fun activities in mind, you’ll be able to entertain your children while you enjoy a nice day on the water. Boating is a great way to bond as a family and appreciate each other’s company.