Boating With Children
It’s hard to beat boating when you’re in search of a great outdoor activity that the whole family can enjoy. Boating with your kids can help broaden their horizons and create some great memories that will last a lifetime. However, when you bring children aboard your vessel, it’s important to put in some prep work to ensure that they will be comfortable, happy, safe and entertained for the duration of your trip out on the water.
JC Sports is your South Carolina boat dealer, located in Seneca. Read on to learn some easy ways to make sure that your next boat adventure with the family goes off without a hitch!
1. Teach Kids to Swim
Safety is paramount with kids and it’s essential that they know how to swim before they board a boat. Children can begin courses that teach water comfort with their parents at the age of one and more formal lessons can begin around age four.
When your kids know how to perform basic swim strokes and how to float, they will be more confident on the water and more capable of rescuing themselves in a bad situation. Obviously, life jackets are still a necessity for all boat passengers, but knowing how to swim is equally important.
2. Bring Warm Clothes
The temperatures out on the water can be several degrees colder than on land, even on the hottest summer day. Kids are also much more susceptible to cold than adults, especially after they go swimming. Make sure that you bring extra sets of warm clothing for them to change into or layer up with, including extra socks, shirts, leggings and sweaters or jackets. It won’t hurt to bring some blankets, too, so that they can stay extra cozy.
3. Pack Snacks
Kids get hungry and need to eat more often than adults, so make sure you fill a cooler with snacks for them to have on your boat. Some good foods to bring include bottled water, juice boxes, milk cartons, string cheese, granola bars, sandwiches, dried fruit, crackers and some ginger candies to help settle those tummies in the event of seasickness. Pack some wet wipes or hand sanitizer, paper towels as napkins and a trash bag to keep everything contained.
4. Go Over Rules
Always make sure that children understand the rules of the water when they board your boat. For example, their life jackets must be secured on the dock and worn until you’re back on land. Make sure to give kids a tour of the boat so they know where everything is, including safety and emergency gear. Teach them how to throw a life ring to someone in the water and to use a whistle or call to alert you to any dangers they spot. Discourage running, jumping and dangling limbs out of the boat.
5. Plan Entertainment
Finally, you’ll want to make sure that your kids don’t get bored on your trip! While you might enjoy relaxing and gazing at the horizon, kids need more stimulation. Pack some boat-friendly toys like modeling dough, coloring books and magnetic travel games. Let kids make a playlist on your phone to play their favorite songs while you boat. Teach them how to read navigational charts and maps so that they can help you figure out where to go.
Seeking boats for sale in Seneca, SC? Visit our dealership to check out our current stock of new and used boats for sale. Ask our staff about our financing options, also. JC Sports proudly serves the cities of Greenville and Anderson, SC.