Boating With Kids
Boating is one of the best ways to spend time with your family, especially your kids! You can teach them so many new skills, encourage them to experience and learn about nature, show them how to navigate and so much more. But children will need more supplies, preparation and attention than adult passengers in order to stay content and happy for the duration of the outing.
Loewer Powersports & Equipment in Alexandria, Louisiana, is your local boat dealer. Here are some of our top tips for boating with kids to help you make some wonderful memories on the water with your whole family.
Teach Your Kids To Swim
Children can begin introductory water courses at the age of one with a parent supporting them. By the time they are four, they are ready to take more formal swimming lessons. Getting your kids comfortable around water is a great first step when it comes to preparing them for boating. Encourage them to learn how to float on their backs and stomachs, how to doggy-paddle, how to tread water and how to perform basic swimming strokes.
Acclimate Kids To Wearing Life Jackets
Children need to wear United States Coast Guard-approved life jackets, properly known as personal flotation devices or PFDs, from dock to dock. Choose life jackets that are fitted to their size, with features like head flotation to keep them oriented and crotch straps to prevent the life jackets from slipping off. Test out the life jackets in a shallow pool or lake to see whether they fit properly. To encourage children to wear their life jackets, have all adult passengers wear theirs on board the boat, too.
Pack Kid-Friendly Supplies
Kids are likely to get bored, hungry and cold long before adults will, so planning ahead can help you to prevent your passengers from becoming moody and unhappy.
For entertainment, you’ll want to bring some boat-friendly games with very few pieces that won’t be harmed by water, some marine-themed activities like coloring books and maybe a way to play some music from a playlist that they get to create.
To stave off hunger, pack a cooler full of snacks and drinks that are practical for the water. Bottled water, juice boxes or cartons of milk are all good drink options. You may also want to pack ginger ale in case of seasickness. Pack crackers, sandwiches, fresh fruit, yogurt, string cheese and trail mix for kids to eat, along with some wet wipes or hand sanitizer to keep their hands clean.
Prevent children from catching a chill by packing some fleece or wool sweaters, waterproof jackets or ponchos, and cozy blankets. Encourage them to change out of wet bathing suits or clothing immediately so that they don’t develop hypothermia.
Explain Safety Rules
Before you take your children out on your boat, you’ll want to make sure that they fully understand the rules of the boat and how to behave. Remind them to never distract the operator while the boat is in motion. Tell them that running, jumping and placing their hands or arms outside of the boat is not allowed. Encourage children to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings, so they can alert you if anything seems amiss by blowing a whistle or shouting.
Educate your children on these safety rules at home, then take them on a tour of the boat to show them where everything is located, including PFDs, fire extinguishers, and the first-aid kit. Remind them of the rules once more when you’re at the dock and about to board.
We hope this guide helps you prepare for your next boating trip with your family. Still need a great family-friendly boat? Visit our dealership in Alexandria, Louisiana, to check out our full selection of new and used boats for sale. Loewer Powersports & Equipment proudly serves all of Rapides Parish including the city of Lafayette, Louisiana.
