From toddlers to
teenagers, deck boats offer fun for every age. Here are a few tips
for finding the best activities at every age.
Infants – According to the U.S. Coast Guard, you should not
bring a baby onboard until he or she weighs at least 18 pounds and
can wear a personal flotation device (PFD). For most babies, this is
around 7 months of age. Ask for an infant-size PFD or life jacket.
Test for proper fitting by putting the vest on your child,
tightening the straps, then lifting your child up by the jacket’s
shoulders. If the child’s chin and head slip through, then it
doesn’t fit and you should wait a bit longer. Finally, never leave
an infant in a car seat on a boat. If the boat were to capsize, the
seat would sink instantly.
Toddlers and Preschoolers – Many children from ages 2 to 5
will love boating; however, they need to understand how important it
is to follow the rules. The most important rule is that they must
always wear a life jacket/PFD. No matter how much whining or crying
a little one does, this rule cannot be broken. The other hard and
fast rule is that they must be supervised at all times, which can
get tricky when docking and such. But once you get underway, most
kids this age will delight simply in being on the boat. You can also
bring toys to keep them entertained.
Elementary Age – This is where it really gets fun. Kids from
the ages of 7 to 12 are all about the water. And they have an almost
insatiable curiosity and are willing to try just about anything.
This is the time to teach them to fish or how to get up on skis.
Just make sure everyone wears a vest at all times. Tubing is great
fun for the smaller kids, too. Think about buying tubes that hold
several kids at once for the ultimate thrill ride. They’ll also love
jumping off swim platforms and spending time in the water. So get
ready to get wet.
Teenagers – Having trouble connecting with your teenagers?
It’s nothing a weekend boating trip can’t cure. Get some one-on-one
time fishing. This is also a great time to teach your kids how to
drive and how to be a responsible captain. Of course, at this age,
they’re also going to want to put it in high gear. So go all out by
inviting a group of their friends to go skiing or wakeboarding. Who
knows? They might even think you’re cool
