Sailing with Children: making the most of the adventure
As a sailing parent, you are presenting your children a unique opportunity to combine adventure, education, and personal growth. Be it the vast oceans, coastal cruising or the inshore dash-out with a daysailer: sailing kids experience big-time adventures aboard their parent´s boats. Nature and different locations, ever-changing weather patterns, and the intricate workings of a sailing boat provide a backdrop ripe for learning and exploration. Each pursuit, whether hands-on or contemplative, helps connect with the maritime world while enhancing essential life skills and fostering a deeper understanding of their surroundings. But we know that it can be stressful at times, fighting boredom or calming anxieties. In this article, we spotlight ten engaging activities, delving into their execution, required materials, and the potential learnings each holds for young sailors on the journey. In this we will help you, sailing parents, to excite your kids for sailing even more.
Essentials for sailing parents
Before we start, let´s go through some essentials you should have in mind when sailing with your children. Both as parents and as responsible skippers.
Onboard safety when sailing with children
As with everything, safety aboard your yacht is of utmost concern. That´s especially important when kids are present. Your children (and moreover, play-dates with kids not all too familiar with the intricacies of boats) have special needs and need special attention when it comes to making sure that sailing remains a fun thing. First of all, depending on the age of the kids on board, always go for children-approved and special tailored safety equipment, like life jackets, tethers and such. Make sure you have two sets of life jackets at hand: solid-floats jackets to be worn when in a marina, automatic inflating life jackets when underway.
Also, as a responsible skipper, have a kids-adjusted safety briefing at hand that can be funny and less “serious”, but engaging and fun. Have them re-enact safety procedures like “always one hand for the ship” and let them repeat and recapitulate the main points of the briefing.
Set clear boundaries of no-go areas and don´t dos which they have to internalise and must not violate, like “never go to the bow when underway” or “never unzip your tether”.
Do not work with instilling fear or communicating with in an all too grave language. Kids pretty early understand what´s good for them and what´s not. Spooky stories is one thing, a revealing and explicit showcase of the seriousness of maritime emergencies could lead to anxiety and refusal to go out with you. Rather try to excite and inspire to take over responsibility. Safety is not a burden, it´s fun and things grown-ups do. In this respect, make sure that you as parents, skippers and role models adhere to your own rules and not break them: wearing life jackets for example.
A last word to safety equipment and precaution: the chandleries and online stores are full of children-related products. Safety nets, safety shoes, safety, safety, safety … it´s of course up to you, to choose which of these makes sense and which not. Here´s a hint: do not rely all-too much on external products. The basic equipment makes sense and should be acquired, the rest of the safety program is best achieved by kids who are aware, trained and understand what sailing is about. Active precaution by the sailing children is the best protection.
Is sailing with kids dangerous?
Short answer: No! You are maybe just starting to check if sailing with children is a good idea? Maybe you are in the process of buying your first own sailboat and you are not sure if this is a good occupation to go for when having a family? Well, be assured that sailing is not dangerous. Statistically, many more other activities are much more prone to accidents. If you and your kids adhere to the basic safety standards, keep a clear consciousness and sense for reality, sailing indeed is a very safe leisure occupation.
Chances are manifold higher that sailing will excite your kids and make for unforgettable memories, than harming then. Even with a newborn – if precaution is taken – sailing is not only feasible, but a great way to welcome a new human on planet earth. In fact, many sailing parents spend multi-year long sabbaticals sailing with kids and even live aboard their boats, at least for a couple of years. “Boat Kids” are indeed a very special breed of people: language and social skills, a deep understanding of how nature works and a wide range of other skills are typical. If you are planning to acquire a boat, talk to your dealer about the needs of onboard kids and special options, your sailboat should have.
One big step however is there for your kids: the ability to swim. Try to enroll your children as early as you can in a swimming class. This will not only increase the safety level greatly, but also help to reduce the wear of water and the seas. Swimming is also essential to utilise the boat´s amenities like the onboard dinghy, SUP board and even the bathing platform of your yacht for a swim or the bow sprit for a bold jump into the deep blue sea.
Kid´s motivation to go out sailing with you
As grown-ups we have multiple ideas and intentions why we buy yachts. Be it a sportive spare time activity, the multi-week vacation in a nice sailing area or the fulfillment of the lifelong dream of circumventing the Earth. For many, making their dreams come true is owning a yacht. Kids live in a completely different world though. They perceive time and reality differently. Their aspirations, their dreams and hence, their needs are different from yours.
When sailing, try to respond to their reality. Even if you delve into and love the serenity of a 4-hour-sailing leg or the calm nigh-sailing from dusk till dawn, your kid´s don´t necessarily appreciate long haul sailing. They may get bored after two hours underway. The even may not be excited to hold a due course over hours. Adjusting to their “inner schedule” and providing for highlights tailored to suit their realities will help to excite them for your hobby and maybe even turn them into real, useful crew members.
Ask what they like to do, what they expect from your new boat and what they wish for. When planning sailing routes, start with shorter sailing legs and slowly increase duration of being underway. Come up with kids highlights, like dropping sails for an offshore swim or the discovery of a “pirate island” with your dingy. Fun and engaging activities are the best way to excite your kids for sailing.
Kid´s equipment for any sailboat
Apart from safety equipment, here is a comprehensive shopping list for you. These items will make sailing with your boat much more attractive for your kids:
Kid´s dinghy or SUP paddleboard: If your children are good swimmers, have a small inflatable dinghy aboard. This may either be operated manually with paddles (more fun and safer) by a small electric outboard engine. Also, SUP paddling is great fun and will make exploration of coves, marinas and bays possible.
Onboard WiFi or electronic entertainment: Yes, we know – you love to use your yacht for internet detox purposes and have it calm. But maybe some restricted “media time” watching their favourite cartoons or playfully practicing their language skills with Duolingo is a good idea. It works perfectly as a reward or the day´s highlight.
Kid´s own cabin: Although many children love to cuddle in the same berths as their parents, having a dedicated kid´s cabin aboard your yacht is essential on long haul sailing trips and even weeklong vacations. They can close a door and calm down, find a good night´s sleep and have their own dedicated space they reside over.
Hammocks are absolutely essential for children aboard boats. For some reason, these swinging nets have a special allure. Dozing at anchor, reading a book or even sleep a whole night out during a warm summer is great fun and adventure for kids.
Diving goggles and underwater cam: There are kids-approved and watertight cameras. If you kid is a keen swimmer, snorkeling is great fun. They can “inspect” the boat´s hull and even dive to the ocean floor in a shallow anchorage.
There are many, many more great things kids can do and experience on a sailing yacht. The internet provides many blogs and vlogs from sailing parents. There is also a range of books dedicated to that topic. Why not ask a sailing family in your home marina or on the pontoon about their experiences?
Now, let´s start becoming active yourself. Here´s our comprehensive collection of kids activities on sailboats …
Fighting boredom at sea: skill-based activities
It's never too early to learn the fundamentals! From a child's perspective, this rings especially true when they're presented in a fun, engaging manner. The activities below showcase how essential sailing practices can be transformed into interactive games. These will foster confidence, hone motor skills, sharpen focus, and enhance problem-solving abilities, preparing them to gracefully handle real-time scenarios on the water.
Sailor´s knot tying contest
Learning point: Boating knot tying is essential for securing boats and ensuring safety at sea.
Materials needed: Just a piece of rope of varying thickness. Or, when the boat is moored, a halyard or sheet from the sails currently not in use.
Brief description: Hand each child a rope, then showcase a distinct sailing knot. Encourage them to mimic the demonstrated tie within a given time limit. As their skills sharpen, attempt introducing more intricate knots to elevate the challenge.
Safety tips: Supervise closely and ensure no ropes are left around to trip over.
Being a helmsman: yacht steering practice
Learning point: Mastering the art of steering lays the groundwork for skills like holding a due course or docking while seamlessly transitioning into other life applications such as driving cars and operating machinery.
Materials needed: Life jackets and a clear, obstacle-free path. Make sure sailing conditions are not too rough.
Brief description: Place the child at the helm, with life jackets on, and guide them as they take turns steering the boat. Demonstrate how subtle shifts impact the boat's course, letting them feel the boat's response to their actions. As a reward, a first children´s sailing class, for example an Optimist-course, may be up on the horizon.
Safety tips: Ensure constant supervision, with an experienced adult always ready with a hand on the wheel or the boat´s tiller for added safety.
Boat´s assistant navigator
Learning point: Early exposure to navigation tools, electronic equipment and navigation techniques can cultivate a lifelong interest in exploration and geography.
Materials needed: Simple navigation charts, a compass, a plotter and a mock route.
Brief description: Present the child with a basic navigation chart and a compass. Outline a mock route on the chart, encouraging them to trace and guide the course, emphasising landmarks and direction. Throughout the exercise, drop trivia about notable marine landmarks, ask them questions to challenge their understanding, or introduce slight route variations to test their adaptability. As a bonus, you may introduce them to your boat´s electronic chart plotter.
Safety tips: Always verify any suggested routes by children with experienced sailors on board.
Marine exploration games for sailing kids
Sailing as an outdoor activity brings children as close to nature as they can get. There is indeed a whole world. Diving beyond the sails and ropes aboard your boat, these activities plunge children into the marvels of the marine world. Much like knowing and learning about how a boat is built and sailed, the vast oceans, unpredictable weather patterns, and diverse marine life deepen their connection to the sailing adventure.
Name the parts – getting to know the yacht inside out
Learning point: Gaining knowledge about boat parts and their terms not only makes subsequent sailing lessons more intuitive but also simplifies and enriches conversations about the vessel and its operations.
Materials needed: List or diagrams of boat parts.
Brief description: Initiate this activity by handing children a list or diagram of boat parts. Encourage them to explore the sailboat and match the parts on the boat to their respective names and diagrams, discussing their functionalities as they find each one. You could structure the game like a scavenger hunt with little (maybe sweet) rewards hidden in the vicinity of the parts.
Safety tips: Ensure children steer clear of any restricted areas or equipment on the boat.
Marine weather watchers
Learning point: Understanding weather patterns at a young age deepens a child's connection to nature, cultivating a respect for the sea's ever-changing moods and building a foundation for intuitive and safe sailing decisions in the future.
Materials needed: Cloud chart or a basic weather guidebook.
Brief description: Begin by equipping the children with a cloud chart or an introductory weather guidebook. Ask them to scan the skies, identify different cloud formations, and predict the upcoming weather. As they grow more adept, challenge them by organising timed quizzes or introducing more advanced meteorological signs, allowing them to deepen their observational skills. This could be keeping the time with a stop watch between lightning and thunder for example.
Safety tips: Secure children in safe vantage points, especially when weather is unpredictable.
The marine life passport for young sailors
Learning point: The immense diversity of the marine ecosystem offers a vast learning potential. Framing it within a passport-style activity also provides an opportunity to introduce concepts of geography, the past and present significance of passports, and the stories behind stamps from different countries, weaving a tapestry of interconnected knowledge.
Materials needed: Marine Life Passports (passport-like booklets with illustrations or names of marine animals), stamps or stickers, pencils or crayons. These passports may be downloaded from internet resources or bought in a well sorted bookshop.
Brief description: Hand out Marine Life Passports to the children, each page showcasing a different marine species. As they navigate the waters and spot a particular creature, they get to stamp or sticker that page. For added depth, encourage them to jot down the time and location of their sighting or an intriguing fact they've learned.
Safety tips: Ensure children remain safely seated or secured when observing marine life, especially if they're keen to lean overboard for a better view.
Maintenance and duty tasks aboard a sailing yacht
Involving children in maintenance and routine tasks aboard a sailboat taps into a fundamental psychological need: the desire to feel useful and significant. As children grow and develop, their sense of self-worth is often intertwined with their contributions and roles within a group. On a sailing voyage, the boat becomes a microcosm of community life. Being entrusted with tasks, even minor ones, enhances their feeling of belonging. It allows them to see themselves as valuable contributors, fostering a genuine sense of pride and accomplishment. As a bonus, over time you will add a valuable and helpful crew mate to your boat´s complement.
Boat maintenance assistant
Learning point: Grasping the essence of maintenance fosters a lifelong ethic of valuing and caring for personal possessions. There's also the potential to introduce, if desired, the idea of earning rewards, such as pocket money, for taking on such responsibilities.
Materials needed: Cleaning supplies + maintenance checklists.
Brief description: Equip children with basic cleaning supplies and guide them through the process of tidying up specific areas of the boat, like the deck or cabin. As they become proficient, introduce them to more involved tasks, such as inspecting ropes for wear or assisting in minor repairs. Keeping an engine logbook tracking running hours of the yacht´s Diesel and its fuel consumption is another task that works nicely.
Safety tips: Use only child-friendly cleaning products and ensure constant supervision, especially during tasks that involve tools.Make sure engines and other equipment aren´t running and have cooled down before the start of the game.
Daily duties roster abord the sailboat
Learning point: Introducing responsibilities fosters teamwork and can enhance leadership qualities.
Materials needed: Duty roster chart and any equipment related to the specific tasks.
Brief description: Structured routines provide a sense of purpose and discipline. Craft a "Sailor's Daily Schedule" for the children, where each has set responsibilities throughout the day. Whether it's sounding a morning bell, keeping an eye out for other vessels, or helping prep meals, the consistency provides predictability amidst the transient nature of life at sea. As a progressive step, occasionally let the kids design their own schedule, emphasising teamwork and collaboration in dividing the duties.
Safety tips: Always supervise children, especially during tasks involving potential hazards.
Interactive story and history whilst sailing
Tales have been the heartbeat of childhood for ages, shaping dreams and fueling curiosity. As kids set sail, weaving stories of maritime adventures, about legendary sailors, and distant shores can go to great lengths to illuminate the sea's vast canvas.
Onboard storytime
Learning point: Leveraging these narratives paves the way for deeper explorations into history, literature, and the world's varied geographies.
Materials needed: A curated collection of maritime stories or history books.
Brief description: Set aside a dedicated 'Story Hour' where tales of maritime adventures, from daring pirates to intrepid explorers, come alive. Select a narrative that resonates with the current journey or destination. As children listen – or read by themselves – they are captivated. Occasionally pause to point out real-world locations or landmarks relevant to the story. As a progression, invite them to craft their own sea tales inspired by their experiences. This game works also wonderfully in preparation of a sailing trip: kids can do the research beforehand to acquire the fitting books, analogue to the planned sailing route and area.
Safety tips: Choose a cosy and secure spot for storytelling, preferably shielded from strong winds if on deck.
Historical log keeper
Learning point: Maintaining a ship´s log integrates daily observations with historical learning, fostering both a sense of responsibility and a deeper connection to maritime traditions.
Materials needed: Logbook, pens, reference materials for historical facts. An instant camera can be used to capture precious moments and spice up the written words visually.
Brief description: Entrust children with the responsibility of maintaining a yacht's log, just like sailors of the past. Daily entries can include weather conditions, navigational bearings, or any wildlife spotted. Additionally, they can note down stories or historical facts related to the locations they pass. Over time, this log becomes a record of their journey and the maritime history they've learned. To progress, encourage them to sketch or illustrate events with crayons or instant camera pictures, tying in the storytelling aspect.
Safety tips: Ensure children are seated safely when writing, especially if conditions are rough.
Sailing with kids: the bottom line
Setting sail with youngsters is an enchanting mix of adventure and alfresco learning. The vast expanse of the ocean presents endless avenues for immersive activities that perfectly balance enjoyment and enlightenment. Ensuring children are actively involved and deeply connected to the journey nurtures their innate curiosity and continuously reminds them of the unparalleled privilege they're experiencing. Such a unique setting allows them to savour every moment, translating each wave and breeze into invaluable lessons and cherished memories that echo with gratitude and wonder.
If you are just starting your family sailing adventure, make sure you tap in the vast experience and resources of your local boat dealer. He has outfitted many families with individually kids-ready tailored yachts, making their dream of a kids-friendly boat life come true.