Tips for Boating With Your Kids

Hopping on your boat and relaxing with your family can be a lot of fun. However, if you decide to bring children along with you when you go on your boat, there are certain things you need to keep in mind in order to keep them safe. We provide some helpful tips below. If you are a fan of boats and boat trips, visit Clews & Strawbridge at our location in Frazer, Pennsylvania, also serving Philadelphia and West Chester.

Rules and Safety Equipment

Before taking your children on the boat, make sure that you go over all the rules with the kids. You need to explain that they could end up hurting themselves if they aren't attentive while boating, and you should also explain what parts of the boat to avoid. If they know how to swim, tell them where they can and can't do so safely. 

It is also important that you get your children the right sizes of life jackets. It's important that all children wear life jackets, even if they know how to swim. When shopping for a high-quality life jacket, make sure that it has slip-off prevention, bright colors, and head flotation. Each child's jacket should fit comfortably. 

Swimming Lessons

Drowning is one of the leading causes of boating-related deaths, so if you can teach your children to swim before they go on the boat, you can increase their levels of safety and your peace of mind. Teaching them how to swim can also help them get over their fear of water and eventually transition them out of always having to wear a life jacket. 

Sun Protection

It is crucial that the children protect themselves from the sun, so you need to keep sunscreen handy. Make sure that the sunscreen has at least SPF 30, and reapply it to your kids every two hours. You should also bring additional protection such as sun hats, a sun umbrella, and sunglasses. 

Boat Activities

While doing things like swimming, wakeboarding and wake-skating can be enjoyable parts of a family boat trip, the children will also need to be entertained when they're aboard. You should plan out a handful of boat activities for the kids to take part in. You could bring along inflatable water toys, inflatable children's boats, and perhaps even fishing gear. 

Chilling on a boat for a weekend afternoon should be a pleasant time for everyone, including the kids. If you are planning to go on a boat trip with your family and need some more information on making it safe and fun, stop by Clews & Strawbridge at our location in Frazer, Pennsylvania. We also serve customers in Philadelphia and West Chester.