Boating Isn’t Just For Grown Ups

15 Aug, 2011Family Boating, Featured

Bringing the kids along for most activities is pretty simple since they tend to be interested in activities adults are partial to and want a chance to get involved. However, if you don’t allow them to be a part of the experience and learn during the experience, it most likely won’t become that fun family activity you dreamt it to be. Boating is no different. Kids love being around the water and getting that excitement of speed and fresh air, but they’ll most likely grow weary of the activity if they aren’t allowed to get involved. Giving your children, grandchildren or nieces and nephews the opportunity to make a boating trip a fun and unique experience can lead to some great memories for you as well.

1. Before heading out on the water, have the kids help you create a journey checklist of things you hope to see during your trip out on the water. This could include things such as get someone on another boat to wave to you, see a fish in the water or count the number of pedal you see. Once you give kids a list of things to check off, they will do almost anything to complete the list and you could use this as a way to help them notice some of the neat things about nature that they would normally ignore.

2. Take the time to explain to them how the boat functions and give them some basic terminology so they feel like they are a helpful part of the experience. Children don’t respond well to “because I told you so” in the house so why would it be any different on the boat? Not only will some explanations help get them engaged in the experience, but it can also help in terms of safety on the boat and precautions.

3. If you’re going out for a long boating trip, make sure the young ones are equipped with notepads and pencils so you can keep the boating themed entertainment fresh. Have them get manifestos from the adults on the boat about why they like boating and their favorite trips. You could also have them draw items or scenes that they see along the way so they can show their friends later. These would also be great mementos for you if you enjoy scrapbooking or want to give the grandparents something special.

Boating can be an activity that involves quite a bit of technical terminology and safety regulations for adults, but that is no reason for the whole family to find ways to make the experience fun. Bringing the kids along will not only help them learn about the activity, but it will also allow some more quality time together and bring some light-hearted fun to the whole group.