thunderbird1
New Member
For those of you who boat overnight with children, how do you keep the kids happy while on the water (other than video games and television)? What family activities have enhanced the boating experience for you and your kids?
Boating with Kids
- Thread starter thunderbird1
- Start date
Sundancer
Well-Known Member
- Jul 20, 2005
- 2,909
- Boat Info
- 34 year old CLASSIC 300 DA, towed almost anywhere behind the Duramax Dually Crew Cab.
- Engines
- 16 cyl, 700 cu. in./Alpha I's
The whole point of going out is to get the kids doing something OTHER than watching a screen. Ours like to fish, catch and play with bugs, swim, kayak, hike, mess around with the dogs, read, draw, play games as a family or just invent their own fun. It's almost like when WE were kids. Maybe I should clarify it was like when I was a kid when we only had 4 fuzzy TV channels and no video games. I was NEVER bored as a kid. I think it's just a matter of having THEM figure out what they want to do and not having to fill in the blanks for them. They'll find all kinds of stuff to do when out on the boat.
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ImpulseIII
Active Member
We used to play "Pin the Tail on the Democrat". Kept the kids busy, especially as we got bigger boats!
- Oct 3, 2006
- 4,404
- Boat Info
- 280 Sundancer, Westerbeke MPV generator
- Engines
- twin 5.0's w/BIII drives
Much of it you can not explain.
Over the summer of 2008 we slept onboard 35 nights. Every night included our 3 kids.
Boating with the kids
At various times we had guests. One day our oldest daughter (12) had a friend. She was an inside type of person. Her parents are inside type of people. Nothing available could get her to come out of the cabin for more then a few minutes. It was a nice warm sunny day. We had the wave runner with us, an inflatable tube and more.
Activities include the usual like swimming, fishing, playing on the beach of the rivers bank, etc.
Playing on the beach
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Using the raft
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Even when it rains we have things to do. We have a small s’more maker that uses little cans for fuel. You can see it in one of the photos here:
http://presentationrentals.blogspot.com/2008/06/wisconsin-boating-wolf-river-south.html
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With the camper top we also sometimes play cards at the table if it’s raining or in the late evening.
Camp fire all ready
.JPG)
Meal preparation and clean up is a family activity. Even our 4 year old participates. Because we all do it together it’s not a chore, it’s an activity. To tell you the truth, at home with the dish washer, clean up is more of a chore. On the boat in close quarters it’s not a chore but part of the experience.
Over the summer of 2008 we slept onboard 35 nights. Every night included our 3 kids.
Boating with the kids
At various times we had guests. One day our oldest daughter (12) had a friend. She was an inside type of person. Her parents are inside type of people. Nothing available could get her to come out of the cabin for more then a few minutes. It was a nice warm sunny day. We had the wave runner with us, an inflatable tube and more.
Activities include the usual like swimming, fishing, playing on the beach of the rivers bank, etc.
Playing on the beach
Using the raft
Even when it rains we have things to do. We have a small s’more maker that uses little cans for fuel. You can see it in one of the photos here:
http://presentationrentals.blogspot.com/2008/06/wisconsin-boating-wolf-river-south.html
With the camper top we also sometimes play cards at the table if it’s raining or in the late evening.
Camp fire all ready
Meal preparation and clean up is a family activity. Even our 4 year old participates. Because we all do it together it’s not a chore, it’s an activity. To tell you the truth, at home with the dish washer, clean up is more of a chore. On the boat in close quarters it’s not a chore but part of the experience.
Last edited:
- Nov 12, 2006
- 5,334
- Boat Info
- 1999 Sea Ray 330DA
Twin 7.4 MPI (310 propshaft HP) V-drives
- Engines
- Twin Mercury Marine marinized 7.4L L-29 V8s
Cast iron block w 4-bolt mains
Liberals have children? Thought that they were all birth-controlling, and aborting their progeny. From the left-leaning rag USA Today comes this.
Well you learn something new every day. Liberals with kids. Who would have though such a thing?
Well you learn something new every day. Liberals with kids. Who would have though such a thing?
Still LauCo
New Member
- Sep 20, 2007
- 408
- Boat Info
- 300 Sundancer 1996
- Engines
- Twin 5.7L EFI Alpha One Drives
Our dinghy has really helped out with days and nights out on the boat... They love being able to tube and trainer board behind it... and also just head off on an adventure. They also LOVE to lay up on the bow and look at the stars, and tell stories... Campfires are always very cool... Quiet activities are board games and puzzles, but we do allow tv before bed.
tdappleman
Active Member
- Dec 17, 2007
- 1,608
- Boat Info
- 1996 270 Sundancer
- Engines
- New twin 4.3's - 235hp each with Alpha 1 Gen 2 Drives
Mine are old enough to entertain themselves. My son is 9 and brings cars/trucks and of course can always mess with the dogs or his sister if he gets bored. My daughter is 12 so is now interested in sun tanning and just relaxing. Everyone is interested in swimming, tubing and eating so we 'suffer' through it... :grin: While I currently don't have a tv on the boat - I certainly do not have an issue with it - that's one of my winter projects to replace the audio system and install video.
Sundancer
Well-Known Member
- Jul 20, 2005
- 2,909
- Boat Info
- 34 year old CLASSIC 300 DA, towed almost anywhere behind the Duramax Dually Crew Cab.
- Engines
- 16 cyl, 700 cu. in./Alpha I's
This thread is worthless without pics! :grin: Not that I want to see you tie her down, I just want to find out where the attachment points are on the boat! Did you add those cleats near the bed or were they an option? I'd like to see if I can add those same cleats! I'd also like to see what knots you are using! :thumbsup:
Nehalennia
Well-Known Member
- Aug 22, 2007
- 10,006
- Boat Info
- 2001 310DA twin 350 MAGs, Westerbeke 4.5KW
- Engines
- Twin 350 MAG V-drives
We travel quite a bit with My Brother and Cousin their familes.
So the kids are busy. While underway they'll sit with us
or go into their cave and play around but at the dock they're off with their nets and small fishing poles catching whatever's lurking beneath. They also like goofing around in the inflatables
So the kids are busy. While underway they'll sit with us
or go into their cave and play around but at the dock they're off with their nets and small fishing poles catching whatever's lurking beneath. They also like goofing around in the inflatables
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PMvdb395DA
New Member
- Oct 12, 2006
- 1,165
- Boat Info
- 360DA '03 6,5 kw kohler generator, AC, etc.
- Engines
- Yanmar 315Hp diesels
eddiezuskin
New Member
Enjoy it while you can. My girls lasted 2 or 3 years, then, when the younger was 12 and older 14 they were no longer interested in spending the weekend on the boat with mom and dad. They, being spoiled, didn't want to share the aft cabin bed and would fight over the light or fan or "she kicked me" when one sister got up for the bathroom. Now at 14 and 16 we sure as hell aren't leaving them at home unsupervised. I still have vivid memories of being 16 or 17 and visiting 16 year old girls whose parents were away. So its mostly day trips and a larger boat I am fixing up so they can bring friends.
Much of it you can not explain.
Over the summer of 2008 we slept onboard 35 nights. Every night included our 3 kids.
Boating with the kids
At various times we had guests. One day our oldest daughter (12) had a friend. She was an inside type of person. Her parents are inside type of people. Nothing available could get her to come out of the cabin for more then a few minutes. It was a nice warm sunny day. We had the wave runner with us, an inflatable tube and more.
Activities include the usual like swimming, fishing, playing on the beach of the rivers bank, etc.
Playing on the beach
Using the raft
Even when it rains we have things to do. We have a small s’more maker that uses little cans for fuel. You can see it in one of the photos here:
http://presentationrentals.blogspot.com/2008/06/wisconsin-boating-wolf-river-south.html
With the camper top we also sometimes play cards at the table if it’s raining or in the late evening.
Camp fire all ready
Meal preparation and clean up is a family activity. Even our 4 year old participates. Because we all do it together it’s not a chore, it’s an activity. To tell you the truth, at home with the dish washer, clean up is more of a chore. On the boat in close quarters it’s not a chore but part of the experience.
Great pics Doug! Looks like you beach your boat? Ever have problems with that? I'd be afraid messing up my hull.
Please explain more...
As for family stuff - other than swimming/tubing, etc. We play cards, board games, all that kind of stuff. It's great family time. My parents taught us how to play pinochle when I was a kid on our boat. Good times...
