Boating is an amazing experience for kids and the whole family, creating room for bonding and learning in a fun environment. Families that want to maintain a strong relationship even after the kids reach adulthood should spend more time together and engage in activities. Boating offers this opportunity for an extended period in a distraction-free environment. When on the water, you’ll be away from WIFI and cell signals that could pose a distraction. Unlike car trips that come with smartphone access and backseat DVD players for kids, boat trips give you and your kids screen-free periods for family time.

Also, family boating adventures can give you the opportunity to discover a new passion. There are numerous learning opportunities with boating, such as history, science, navigation, and piloting. In the process, the kids can pick an interest in birds, fish, mammals, or other marine animals. You may also learn a new boating-related hobby, such as snorkeling, kayaking, tide-pooling, or even fishing. And since boating allows you to move around, it is a great way for families to exercise and have fun together. 

If you’ve been living a sedentary lifestyle, you’ll get a workout while out on the water. Being away from your regular schedule and obligations, you’ll feel more relaxed, and your kids will be able to see what Mom looks like when she’s just having fun. As a mom, it’s easy to get so preoccupied with organizing, housekeeping, working, landscaping, and making long-term plans for your children that you forget to simply play and laugh with the kids. Spending a day on the water can be a great way to make that happen and foster long-lasting closeness. Such closeness will make the family members naturally gravitate toward one another when going through tough times as adults. This article will give you crucial tips for boating with kids.   

Keep a Maintenance Checklist

Regular maintenance and early repair of faults are essential tips that can help extend the life of your craft, allowing you and your family to have several years of enjoyment on the water. One sign that your boat needs to be checked by a mechanic is an unfamiliar sound coming from the engine. Familiarize yourself with the usual engine sound from your boat when it’s running normally. Any growling or unfamiliar noise from the motor warrants a quick check by a boat mechanic. To find a mechanic near you, you can search for boat repair shops on BoatPlanet.com. Ignoring this issue can result in significant damage to your vessel.

In addition, examine the inside and outside of your boat’s hull when it’s out of the water to check for signs of oxidation. This commonly occurs with aluminum hulls and appears as dull patches and white powdery residue. You can use fine-grit sandpaper to manually sand the areas until you get a shiny, bright metal. To limit the need for antifoulant coatings, use long-handled brushes to clean the hull regularly. You want to avoid using abrasive materials to remove oil and algae from fiberglass hulls, as they can remove their gel coating. Clean all ropes to remove debris and dirt, which can cause deterioration. Also, clean your sails and replace fraying lines. Check the owner’s manual that came with your boat to follow the recommended maintenance schedule.  

Get the Kids Involved

Let the kids share in the adventure by allowing them to be more involved in every stage. If the kids are involved in plotting your course on a chart, deciding wildlife and landmarks to watch for, and researching moorage sites and maps, they’ll feel like an integral part of the entire process. Instead of pre-planning or having expectations for what your little ones will choose during the planning phase, be open and let them surprise you. Their choices may seem unusual at first, but it might turn out to be the best family vacation you’ve ever had. 

If you plan to fish during your trip, you’ll get the chance to bring the family’s dinner home. And if your child feels like they are part of the meal because they went fishing for it, they might want to try something new despite their picky eating habits. Of course, they’d enjoy the health benefits of eating fish such as salmon and tuna since they are high in Omega-3 oils.  

Carry Enough Supplies

When prepping for a boating adventure with kids, expect the unexpected. Carry enough snacks, drinks, towels, and diapers. You also want to have waterproof cameras to capture the moments and extra fuel so you don’t get stranded on the way. To avoid overloading the vessel, follow the manufacturer’s weight capacity when packing. 

If possible, bring along extra adults to ensure that the little ones are continuously observed. Not only will this ensure their safety, it will also ensure that you focus on boating and steering when navigating unpleasant weather conditions.