With the half term holidays fast approaching you may be thinking about taking the family on a boat, or looking for some water-themed activities. But how do you keep them entertained on board?

Boating is an activity which can involve the whole family, even if you are dinghy sailing in separate boats. Older children often enjoy the challenges and sense of adventure that sailing provides. To get them started you may like to find out about local clubs, outdoor centres or sailing schools. Even if you live far from the coast there are inland clubs offering boating fun on lakes or inland waterways.

What age?

What age to start boating will depend on the boat, the children and the parents. You may be comfortable pottering around the inland waterways with a young baby, but your little one may not be interested in full-on sailing until six, seven or even twelve. It can depend on the individual, and for some types of boating it is best to wait and see what your children are comfortable with. Don’t pressure them to try sailing if they don’t feel ready.

Safety

For most types of boating a life jacket will be necessary. Remind everyone to keep hands and other body parts within the boat when the boat is underway.

Keeping them happy

If you don’t have a fridge on board pack a cool box. Make sure you have water, fruit juice, yoghurt, fruit, cereal bars and other convenient snacks. Depending on the weather and where you are going you may want to pack swim suits, towels and a change of dry clothes.

Monsters

What activities could they get involved with? Would they enjoy fishing? Could you invent boat-themed games such as counting fish, or naming the breed of birds that you see? You could keep a book about marine wildlife on board.

For calmer boating, particularly on the inland waterways you could also invest in some boat themed activities, particularly if you find yourself boating in the rain. Consider a boat-themed DVD, colouring book, a marine themed jigsaw puzzle, or a book. Are they old enough to read Swallows and Amazons? Books can provide inspiration for imaginative play. Younger children may get into the spirit of boating, with role -play as sailors, pirates, mermaids or sea monsters. Ignite their imagination with props such as hats or a badge saying ‘First Mate’.

If you’ve never tried boating with kids you may like to read our book review of
For Better, For Worse, a family who travelled the inland waterways of France with two preschool children.

What are your best tips for boating with kids? Ask your questions on our Facebook page.

Image credit: DVD available at Amazon.co.uk

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