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So, you have decided on a family sailing holiday, you’ve planned the logistics, you’ve read a little of what to expect (weather and destinations) and WHY sailing is a great family holiday and now you are in a mild panic – what will you do for an entire week aboard?? Keeping kids entertained at home can be hard enough surely, it’ll be even harder on a yacht? Well, you’d be surprised.
No matter what age range, there is plenty to keep the family entertained at sea, here are a few ideas from what we’ve seen at sea.
Games and toys
Be sure to bring a few of the kids’ favorite games and toys aboard. There is plenty of space in the saloon, on deck and even in their cabins for children to play games or have a few of their fluffy friends aboard. For younger children, coloring books (pencil not felt), playing cards or games like snakes and ladders (magnetized is even better), connect 4 or trouble are good.
For older children, games like Uno, Jenga (when not sailing), bananagrams, Pictionary, or just playing cards are easy and fun – even for the adults!
These sorts of games are always far better than letting them play on phones or tablets, so it keeps them immersed in the real world and interacting with each other, though it is always good as a last resort if children are a little antsy.
Water toys
Inflatables are always a win! Floaties are more popular than ever and now you can not only get a mattress but also an array of animals (think flamingo, duck or unicorn) and even food – like sprinkled donuts! These will easily provide hours of entertainment for the kids. However, remember that younger children should still be accompanied and have their own floaties or life vest on.
Inflatable balls are perfect for them to throw around too and if you want to go all out, an inflatable net is fun for volleyball and general mucking around. And, always check with your agent or skipper to see what they already have aboard so you don’t double up.
Water Sports and Equipment
When booking your yacht, check what water-toys are already aboard, otherwise, in most cases, you can request to have certain equipment. SUPs are fun for the whole family, kayaks are a great way to explore, donuts for the kids (if the boat has a strong enough tender), snorkel equipment is a no- brainer – and can let kids truly ‘dive into’ the underwater world. And, if the options are available a jet ski, water skis or wake board can keep the older kids (and adults) entertained for an entire afternoon. Sea Bobs have also hit the market and are another power way to have fun underwater.
Having a fishing rod aboard is also a fantastic way to spend time, maybe even catch your own lunch and teach your children valuable real-world skills.
Word Games
Word games are always good and require little-to-no equipment – playing ‘Eye Spy’, hangman, rhyming word games, Scattegories, word within a word competitions – where the children need to try and make as many different words from one word or even memory games like “I’m going on a picnic” or ‘one word stories’.
Creativity and Imagination
Children are also the masters of creativity and imagination; they will undoubtedly come up with their own games. We have often seen children put on performances like a talent contest or just keep themselves entertained for hours making up their own universe of games – and this doesn’t even account for the hours spent diving off the boat, in and out of the water!
Enjoy quality family time!
The truth is, a boating family holiday is probably one of the best family holidays you will ever have because you get to spend genuine quality time together. There are so many ideas for games and activities at sea and having a few tricks up your sleeve is always a good idea but as long as you are together and present in the moment as a family, we guarantee it will be a fantastic family holiday and make lasting memories.
