How many have kids
 

And what do you do to keep them enterained on the water? I have a 16 year old and a 3 year old, my kids both love the water but I see some kids that are bored after 5 minutes how do you keep them occupied? I have seen people pack up and head home just to please their kids after they just got to there destination. I hope I never need to face this situation.

We have a 10 year old daughter and take her out on the boat every chance we get (2-3 times a week). We normall go to Sugar Island on the Detroit River (up in the air with the recent purchase by the govt.). There she was able to play in the sand, swim, meet new friends, etc. Oh yeah, forgot to mention she likes to go fast as well.....

I have a 14 yr old daughter and she loves to go out on the water. I usually let her bring a friend and control the music and she is a happy camper. They swim, eat chips and listen to music all afternoon. We usually get some tubing in and get lunch later...I never have an issue with her getting bored and wanting to head home.

12 year old daughter has been on boat since she was two.
She can't get enough boating, she and I have been going out alone for years. Never once heard I'm bored, I hear go faster, jump that cruiser wake, or can we go to Block Island for lunch?

Mine are 3 and 4. They like riding in the boat, going tubing, swimming off the boat, or going to the beach area to play. They hate when we have to go home, if it was up to them we would stay forever lol

I have a son 16 and daughter 14 they have been boating since they were babies. they enjoyed it more when they were younger but as someone already said they enjoy it now if they can bring a friend to keep them company. My son also is learning to drive and that keeps him focused.

Daughter 4, Son 1 1/2... My son has been out a few times but gets cranky because it's hard for him to get around being so young, so he usually ends up in my wife's lap for a quick ride. My wife starts giving me "the look" after about 40 mph... Ugh. Not incredibly fun for her with a squirmy kid, haha. I offer to let her drive, but she doesnt want to. We live on a lake so my daughter and I usually go out alone... To the beach, park, etc. She likes the speed...60 is more her and my style. Definately looking forward till my son is a bit older and the whole family can enjoy more! Rob

My son is 20 now but we started taking him out on the water at 3 years old and never looked back. He actually entertained himself quite well. There we always alot of kids out on the water for him to play with. My wife and I were worried at first but it was pretty easy to manage with him.

14yr. old daughter, 11 yr. old son. Both have been boating since they were infants.

They both love riding, they like when it's rough, they get to laugh at my wife for complaining. LOL!

Daughter never complains about anything. I'm starting to teach her to drive. Son, sometimes complains if we are sitting somewhere too long.

Lately I bring a portable dvd player and he likes that. Sometimes we fish too.

Two daughters, 9 and 11, they have both been on the water since 5 months of age, they swim, tube, and generally just love running around for a ride. Usually let them bring friends to help occupy them, but I also get them water specific toys, water mat, the tubes, and at one point even hauled around an inflatable trampoline, but that got too monotinous.

i have a 10, 8 and TWO 5 year olds. they love it. they enjoy cruising around and go up in the cabin and hang out and bounce around. they also love the beach - HIGHLY RECOMEND A PORTA POT

Ours are now 22 and 25 and are doing their own things but when they were teens they brought friends along, made ALL the difference. We got them a BIG tube, some inflatable water toys with a power inflater that plugs into the cig lighter and a boogie board to float around on when we were swimming, they had a lot of fun with those, hell I had a lot of fun with those.

Three girls, 8, 13, 15 as they get older so does their activities on the boat. Before it was tubing & kneeboarding, now it's a lil bit of that and more music, and laying out and bringing on friends. They HATE cruising and going fast! So funny, they are growing up in the wakeboard world of boating, I grew up in the offshore world. Couldn't ask for more polarity! Hence why they want me to sell the Lavey!

My son is 6 and has been on the water since he was 1. He absolutely loves everything about it. The sound, the speed and the bikini's. I started him driving the boat at idle last summer, and by the end of summer he was pulling the boat up to the raft up to tie up. That's a huge help when it's just he and I. He's a true River Rat.

key is to bring a friend and maybe invest in tubes or other things. For teens going out riding in a boat with their parents then parking can get boring.

I've got a 4 month old and a 2 year old. Haven't taken the 4 year old out yet, but the 2 year old was on the water at 6 months. Generally the 2 year old doesn't care for cruising or going fast yet. On the sea ray she wants to run around the cockpit and hates being held so that she doesn't. Not a problem on the go-fast because there is so much freeboard and a cabin to play in. This year I'm going to have her stand up in the passenger seat with mom holding her from behind so she can see out and hopefully enjoy it more. She really likes to play on the beach and in the water with other kids. Mother in law also has a houseboat they love playing on. Again, she likes it because she can run around while underway. Mom likes it because she doesn't have to hold on to her. Dad likes it because they can take a nap with AC on. Sometimes we will just sit in the slip and fish. We bring some toys for her and she helps her daddy work on the boat.

I think it is more about how long the kids have been around boats and water.

Boats and water are a big part of the lives of many on this site; the kids (and parents) have developed habits accordingly.
The "holiday warriors" / "fair weather boaters" are often the ones that are bored because it is not their normal lifestyle thus less interested.

My 3 year old goes swimming weekly, year round at the community indoor pool. She is always asking "Is today Thursday?" (our usual swim night)
The past two summers it is common for her to float for 2-3 hours with us. Now, getting more mobile, I expect a few more bumps and bruises (and we have to watch more) as she climbs around the boats.

I am worried that this year could be a problem for me.

Last year was easy - he was born June 14 so he was an infant - we just snapped him in his car seat and let it rip. You could anchor out all day and all he needed was a bottle and some shade.

This year will be tougher with him walking - I think this year will be the problem year since he won't want to just hang out, and yet is too young to swim/float around. He'll require some more attention than we are used to but he seems to like the water (did swim "lessons" this winter to get him used to the water). He'll just get bored hanging around in the cockpit/cabin - and yet I would worry with him spending too much time in the sun floating around with me while I walk around to different boats.

My boy is 11 now, he is a true boater and loves being out,for the late night tie ups sometimes he does get a little bored, that's where the ds come in LOL, but you know what he never got bored until the DS came into the picture he just uses it as a excuse to play, as far as entertaining if you have kids between 5 and the grown ups, buy the big squirt guns, there a blast, also come in handy for deck washing, etc, the best is to get your kids with a pump full of cooler water:lolhit::lolhit:
disclaimer don't shoot in the face!!!!!!

Seafordguy you are absoulutly wright this will be the hard year, maybe next too after that its pie, unless you keep making babies!!!!:party-smiley-004:

The thing i find the hardest is trying to ground him for doing something stupid but we have a weekend full of boating planned:angry-smiley-038::angry-smiley-038:

The biggest reason we chose to bring our girls from babies, was simply when they get old enough to run around with friends, we want them to WANT to come to the lake with us and bring the friends, that way we know where they are and what they are doing......

Wishfull thinking. My parents bought the lakehouse when I was 16. They let us bring whoever we wanted. We would throw mad parties friday night, clean house, then take off to the lake saturday morning. Most saturday night's at the lake we'd have campfires and shoot off fireworks all night until the sun rose. Other nights we'd take the boat and get chit faced at the marina bar/club then drive home by boat.

My 2 yr old son loves going fast or slow. Normally falls asleep in moms lap & we cruise around for 1/2 hr to have a happykid all day. Bought a big 2 slot tube this year & loves climbing in & out of it. a few float toys help out too

I've never seen a kid who didn't like to boat. Never a dog that didn't like to boat. The best family activity there is. Makes every penny I've spent worth it.

Really this is a true statement, think about how many people you know that there family is going in five differant directions, we only go to one the water...

Great thread. I've got my first on the way in 2 weeks and thought about sitting out this season. Me thinks I will reconsider...

I know people go out within days and prob ok for just non-planing motoring.
We waited until the little one had enough neck strength for head control. Not really that hard for us since she was born late March but out by Memorial for sure. Cant find any pics before Aug but I know we had some Go for it!
The first year is actually easier than the next couple since they are not really mobile and just stay in the carrier or get passed around.
Watch the sun and heat but there is no reason to waste a season.

I've had my son on the boat since he was an infant he is now 6. My parents did the same for my bro and I on their cruiser. My son loves all the activities involved around boating. He watches poker run vids and knows how to find boat vids on YouTube. He is crazy about Outerlimits, he was on Enough 4 Plays 42 Outerlimits at over 100. Gary bribed him with a ride so he would behave while we were at the yacht club for lunch.
My son loves to go to the beach and we make sure to bring a assortment of toys for him when we go. I going to teach him to drive this year.

My son is now 5. He was born in January and I had him on the water in May or June I think it was. Just had a daughter 3 days ago and plan to haver her out as soon as I have the boat ready. My wife wants to get a pontoon next trip up to Maine, so we will see about that. My 5 year old likes the Donzi best because he can drive it and see over the dash so easily. He can now drive it out the river, plane it off, couple laps around the lake and back into the river and I ussually don't have to touch the wheel at all. Just use your head and it is all good when they are young. No bouncing in waves...... I plane the Formula off but put the tabs in a bit and I can run about 30 or so with a very smooth ride. Also when they are young and do not have the neck muscles keep them in the back seat it is a LOT smoother ride. Get an anchor shade to keep the sun off them. Keep them hydrated!!!! Start with shorter trips and work up from there. I love having my son out with me it is a blast, and I expect the same with my daughter.

Don't even consider sitting out the season - Grip it and rip it. Ours was out in the Chesapeake Bay at a couple days old. I've never seen a kid sleep so well!!! When he wasn't sleeping he was happy as hell.

Like I mentioned further up, I think this year will be harder than LAST year.

No worries you will be fine. My son has been helping me wipe the boat down since he was 4.