Editor’s Note: We’re digging deep into the Chesapeake Bay Magazine archives this summer to find the gems that are still quite relevant for Bay lovers today. For those trying to keep their kids (or grandkids) entertained on long boat rides, this story from the July 1989 issue offers inspiration—especially considering these families had no tablets, cell phones, or streaming services. Get inspired by these old-school boating pastimes!
As a twosome, there seemed no end to things for us to do on a boating outing even if the boat did not go out. The ever-present chores of cleaning and preening the boat, maintenance on the engines, and little boat-improvement projects were waiting to be done. That is not to say that it was all work and no play. There were evenings of quiet chats and stargazing, reading, handcrafts, guitar playing, and all other manner of relaxing entertainment. However, enter children and a whole new world opens.
No matter what the age, adult or child, free time is only a blessing when there is an activity to fill it. The trick is to make those activities special. Take sumer vacation from school, for instance. It’s always yearned for, but by August the idea of September’s return to the academic grind is actually looked forward to by those who have “enjoyed” too much leisure time.
On a boat, especially during longish cruises, it sometimes seems as though children are left with too much free time. The boat’s confined space, together with the boredom that can set in on any child after only a short while with “nothing to do,” can spell disaster. Over the years we have had boats of various sizes and three children to help fill them. We have also come up with a variety of ways to entertain and keep our young crew happy.
One thing we established at the outset was that there were toys and.or games for home and a separate group for the boat. To usher in “boating season” each spring, everyone got something new to keep at the boat and add to the nautical toy colelction. Being able to play with certain things only on weekends kept their novelty from wearing off and the kids looked forward to playing with them.
Our rules for boat toys were very practical. Size was a factor no matter how large the boat since storage space is always at a premium. We also tried to avoid getting any game that included magnets; games designed for travel are great because of their compact size, but some have magnetic latches which can play havoc with the compass. Lots of little pieces were also on the “no-no” list. Small pieces are both easy to lose and painful to step on. Arts and crafts activities are ever-popular at our house but on the boat we discourage crayons (they melt) and permanent markers (they stain) and opt instead for colored pencils.
Our daughter and two sons have all enjoyed building with blocks, but an unsteady surface that allowed their cities of the future to crumple in a heap was a definite downer. Smooth blocks were fine at home, but interlocking-type sets and Bristle Blocks were much better on board. As the kids got older, they “graduated” to more sophisticated building systems and exceptions to the “no small pieces” rule. Tinker Toys never made it too the boat (it was too hard to keep track of all those prone-to-roll sticks and cogs) but Legos, kept conveniently in a plastic carrying case and Construx (by Fisher-Price) have given hours of enjoyment.
Reading is a pleasant pastime, especially in the evening, while underway, and when the weather is poor. Our public library has a program that we often took advantage of for long weekends and vacation cruises. At a parent’s request, the children’s librarian would fill a small canvas bookbags with paperback books and magazines tailored to the child’s age, reading level, and interests. Even after our children outgrew this service, we would try to put together an entertaining reading selection ourselves for our young crew. It could include a magazine or two of some special interest (like Sports Illustrated) a new book of humor, or an exciting novel. No heavy reading was required.
The selection of electric games available is awesome and spans the gamut of difficulty levels. Ones of our best investments was a small, handheld football game. The beeps signaling a tackle and its victory tune were relatively quiet and easy on the ears even when heard for the 45th time. Each individual game went fast enough that the kids could rotate turns before control by any one person got out of hand. The game was easy enough for our little one to play while still presenting a challenge. Another great electronic toy we bought for the boat was Speak and Spell. not only was it capable of playing a variety of games, it was educational—always a desired bonus. Our youngest child put the Speak and Spell to imaginative use when he transformed it into the instrument panel of his imaginary spaceship located in the forward bunk.
The forward bunk also doubled as a floating music room. For longer cruises, a Casio electric keyboard and a guitar have been welcoming travel companions. These instruments give individual pleasure and have inspired impromptu family singalongs.
With each move into a slightly bigger boat, we have been adding, little by little, entertainment luxuries. It started with a radio/tape deck combination and now includes a television and VCR. The radio/tape deck has been one of our wisest choices. We are all music lovers, and our children have appreciated not having to give up the Top 40 just because we are exploring an area outside good radio receiving range. The television has also been a boon—especially on rainy evenings and when we are not back at the dock in time for the opening kickoff of a Redskins game. Even the VCR has turned into ore than just another hedonistic treat. We all enjoy a good mystery and keep Clue for the VRC on board. In the video version, characters act out a humorous plot while playing cards give you clues to look for in the various scenes.
Technological innovations have their place, but sometimes it;s the simple, old-fashioned entertainment that bet fits the bill. Card games are the perennial favorite; I cannot tell you the number of games of Solitaire, Spit, War, Gin Rummy, and Blackjack (a great game to play with young children who need practice with their addition) that have been played on board. There is also that unsung hero of G-rated entertainment: the jigsaw puzzle.
On a late summer cruise a couple of years ago, we put into port at Block Island, Rhode Island. Unexpectedly, a hurricane that was supposed to have followed a path harmlessly out to sea capriciously changed course to include a brush by this tiny island. Warnings of severe conditions were issued by the Coast Guard, radio weather stations, and our marina. Emergency shelters were being set up should boaters need to abandon ship. Though it did not seem that conditions would deteriorate to that level, it was obvious that we would be spending the next few days inside the cabin with periodic inspections of the dock lines our only need to venture outside. Granted, we had our normal array of activities on board, but the situation called for something a little different. Before the storm hit we had ample time to go to a nearby market for extra food supplies and anything else that struck our fancy.
What struck us was a jigsaw puzzle. It turned out to be a terrific diversion. The puzzle was something everyone gravitated to off and on during the three days we were stuck on board. Then, as if we were acting out the script on a TV mini-series, the puzzle was finished just as the storm abated. (If a table cannot be dedicated to the cause, a puzzle can be constructed on a bath towel so that it can be carefully lifted and moved out of the way.)
While puzzles, games, toys, and music make great entertainment when the weather is not on its best behavior, there are a world of things to do when the out-of-doors can beckon. Fishing is an all-time favorite of kids of all ages. I never cease to be amazed at how patient a usually impatient child can be while waiting for a tug at the end of his line. However, necessity has inspired a new variation to our approach to the sport. One day, while tied up broadside to a bulkhead, the boys had a hankering to cast their lines and catch dinner. Unfortunately, there was no suitable bait around and all attempts to improvise ended in disaster. Undaunted, they decided to have a casting contest instead to see who could cast his line more accurately (would you believe target casting?) and the farthest.
Crabbing and summertime around the back just naturally go together. Walking the docks, net and bucket in hand, the thrill of the chase and promise of a tasty, well-earned meal is a traditional activity for Chesapeake youth. Sometimes the hunt takes to open water. A skilled and lucky lookout perched on the bow of a boat with his trusty net at his side can scoop a surface-swimming crab right out of the water. Of course, this team effort takes a good helmsman to maneuver him into position. The fun factor tends to be very high.
On long cruises, our daughter has taken to kite flying off the back deck while we are underway. Should you want to try this too, here are some hints we learned through experience. Make certain the kite flyer is strong enough to handle the tug on the line; use a high-strength string; and carefully choose the shape of the kite for stability and ease in handling. We have had great success with delta-wing kites as opposed to the traditional diamond shape.
Wading in shallow water or on sandbars to explore nature should not be overlooked We have waded in the ankle-deep water in Sinepuxent Bay behind Ocean City, Maryland; and stood on many a sandbar in the Chesapeake, watching the ripple patterns and minnows passing our feet. Not only does it foster an awareness of nature, it is fun and refreshing—especially on a hot day if you just happen to fall into the water.
As we have grown from a cozy twosome into a traveling parade of five, we have rarely had a problem with boredom afloat. The key to our success lies in keeping diversions simple, small, and stowable. That way, no matter how awful the weather conditions are outside, we always have a variety of amusements close at hand inside.
