Top Tips for Introducing Kids to the Joy of Boating
As a parent, you want your kids to pick up your hobbies because it gives you a chance to transfer all your knowledge (and equipment to someone else). It also makes them understand you better, and it gives you one topic that you can never exhaust.
This, however, is something that not a lot of people will have the privilege of experiencing.
Some people are desperate to make their kids love their hobby, and desperation seldom gives away the best impression. Others try to hard and try to force their hobby onto their kids, creating an adverse effect.
In order to avoid all of this, here’s how people who are passionate about boating can approach this situation.
- Pick the right activities
Without the right activity on the trip, your kids are unlikely to enjoy boating itself. Sure, you want to leave the office space and enjoy the open ocean and salt water in front of you, but this can be quite boring for young kids.
Fortunately, you can always let your kids splash around in the water. Swimming is a simple, fun way to get them comfortable in the water. You can have them start in a shallow area and always supervise them closely.
This is also a great opportunity to introduce your kids to fishing. Just hand them a simple rod, bait the hook, and teach them the basics.
If you get a few inflatable tubes or banana boats and tie them, your boat can tow them, and your kids will have so much fun.
Depending on where you’re going, you might have so many family-friendly activities available.
- Teach basic safety rules
Before you even step on the boat, make sure everyone, especially the kids, has a life jacket on. It’s a non-negotiable rule that sets a tone for safety while still allowing fun. You also have to explain why it’s important in a simple way, just like wearing seatbelts in a car.
Boats can be slippery, and the last thing you want is a child falling overboard or getting hurt. You need to make it clear early on that there’s no running on the deck. You can make it fun by giving them tasks to stay busy or making a game out of moving carefully like a captain.
Although boating is fun, teaching kids about emergency signals like whistles and horns is also important. Keep it light, but make sure they understand the seriousness.
- Start with short trips
Short trips are ideal for kids who are new to boating. Keeping it under an hour ensures they don’t get too tired or bored. So, you can just rent a boat and plan a short trip as your kid’s first time.
Make sure that you plan a stop at a sandy beach or calm shoreline somewhere along the way. A break from the boat gives your kids a chance to explore the area or enjoy a picnic. Also, it helps them see boating as a part of a bigger adventure rather than just a means of transportation.
If you have the option, you should choose calm waters. Pick a day with minimal wind and head to a peaceful lake or bay. This will make the experience less stressful, as kids are more likely to feel safe and steady.
- Let them help with small tasks
Kids love feeling like they’re in charge, so let them take the wheel (of course, under close supervision). This way, they’ll feel proud and accomplished, even if it’s just for a few minutes. You need to teach them to follow your guidance and remind them that they’re helping navigate the boat like a pro.
Handing your kid a rope to help tie or untie can give them a sense of responsibility. Just show them how to make simple knots and explain how important their role is. They’ll feel like a real sailor and enjoy being a part of the crew.
Introducing your child to the basics of navigation can be incredibly fun. You can show them how to read a simple map or point out landmarks along the shore. You can even explain how a compass works. This is not about making them experts but about sparking their curiosity and a sense of adventure.
- Make it fun with games
Turn the boat trip into a treasure hunt. Make a list of things for your kids to spot, like birds, fish, or other boats. Give them binoculars and let them call out when they find something. This is a fun way to trick them into paying attention to their surroundings.
Kids love animals. They love to go to the aquarium to see dolphins, but why not use the opportunity to show them these animals in their natural habitat? Encourage your kids to look for fish, birds, or dolphins (depending on where you are)
Counting boats is a simple and fun game that will keep your kids engaged. It will also make them pay attention to the differences between boats and spark their curiosity. Once they start coming to you with questions about boats, there’s no end to it, and you’ve already managed to get them interested.
- Prepare them for the weather
Boating weather changes more quickly than you expect, especially on open water. So, make sure your kids are dressed in layers so that they can easily adjust if they get too warm or too cold. Pack a light jacket, a hoodie, and some comfortable clothes, so they can stay cozy throughout the trip.
Out on the water, the sun can be pretty extreme. So, don’t forget the sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats. Tach your kids the importance of reapplying sunscreen, especially after swimming.
Boating is fun, but it can be tiring, especially for kids. Just ensure they drink water regularly, even if they don’t ask for it. Dehydration is a dangerous thing, so always pack a cooler with water bottles.
Wrap up
At the end of the day, boating is incredibly fun, and all you have to do is not mess up. Don’t push your kids too hard. Make them take short trips packed with activities you know they’ll enjoy. This way, they’ll associate boating with the fun they had, and you have all your work already cut out for you. If you can also spark their curiosity (which shouldn’t be that hard), you’ll soon have all your work cut out for you.