Tips for Safely Boating with Kids

There are few things that you can do with your kids that are more exciting than boating. Whether you are out on a bass boat, speed boat, or a simple kayak, boating with your kids is a rush of excitement that they will never forget. If you have access to a boat or simply head out and rent one, there are some ways to ensure you stay safe on the water and your kids learn to do the same. Be sure to check out these Tips for Safely Boating with Kids before you head out for your next boating adventure.

Tips for Safely Boating with Kids

Discuss Boating Safety First—Long before you ever get on the boat, you and your kids should learn all about boating safety. This includes what you should and should not do when the boat is in motion, what to do if the boat were to sink and general boating safety rules. You should also understand the boating traffic rules of staying to the right and never speeding through the wake zone.

Practice Using Life Jackets—Show the kids how well life jackets work by going for a “swim” in them first. This will reduce their anxiety about going out on the open water. Make sure you have plenty of them and that they all fit properly. A good life jacket is your lifeline in the worst of boating circumstances.

Learn the Lingo—Teaching your kids the boating lingo will be a ton of fun for you both. In addition to being fun, it will educate them on how to get around on the boat. Teach them about the different parts of the boat, the basics of steering and directional basics. These things will help them in other parts of life as well as boating.

Let the Kids Be the Captain—If a child takes the time to learn about the boat and masters all the safety standards, let them enjoy a leadership role on the boat. This is an awesome way to foster leadership but you should make them earn it. That message is one that should never be lost on your shipmates! Always keep a watchful eye and stand by during their “tenure” at the helm.

Teach Them How to Dock the Boat—As tough as it is to drive the boat, docking the boat is even tougher. Learning how to “park” the boat is just as important as learning how to operate one. Whether you have to pull into a slip or take the boat entirely out of the water with a lift or trailer, your kids should be learning the process. This is not something younger kids will generally participate in, but it certainly doesn’t mean they can’t learn about it.