Family-Friendly Sailing: How to Keep Kids Entertained on a Key West Cruise
General
Key West is super family-friendly! At Danger Charters, we welcome all ages on board and take great joy in sharing the excitement and adventure of sailing with everyone in the family. Our Sail, Snorkel & Kayak excursions are for all guests (under age 3 are free) and our Sunset Cruises are for ages 13+.
In this article, we’ll explore why kids love sailing, consider what might take the wind out of their sails before we get back to land, and share some ideas for how to keep kids occupied on a boat should they need a boost.
Sailing With Kids: 5 & Under
Young kids typically love to sail! It’s a feast for the senses – the fresh sea air, the water splashing against the boat, the billowing sails dancing in the wind, and wildlife like dolphins and turtles below and seabirds above … there’s so much to take in! And we can’t forget what’s fun for all ages: exploring the boat!
Being on the water provides a unique setting for bonding moments, too. Enjoying the gentle rocking of the boat, just watching paradise go by, or sitting with their head in your lap as they happily nap in the shade, is pure bliss.
Of course, young children need extra supervision on a boat, and they may get restless or anxious while at sea. At Danger Charters, we are intentional about sailing in calm waters, so feeling overwhelmed by the motion of the ocean is pretty unusual on our excursions. But restlessness is something we can’t influence!
These are some distractions and boat activities for preschoolers and young children that might suit your kiddo:
Pack snacks
- We have plenty of family-friendly snacks on board, but consider packing some favorite or special ones of your own to make sure they have happy bellies. Staying hydrated and satiated is super important for all ages.
Play simple games
- Everyone loves a game of I Spy! Consider the birds overhead, marine life below, things and people on board, and boats on the horizon. A treasure hunt is a fun boat game. Plan ahead by thinking of some simple clues, and then conspire with our crew to hide some pirate’s booty on board, like a special treat or small toy.
Get crafty
- Themed coloring and sticker books are a hit with lots of little ones. Watercolor paints are easy to use on board, too – they’re low mess and stress, and will even be sun-dried when you’re ready to pack them away if you time it right. Put some paint on the page and see what happens as the waves rock the boat and the wind fills the sails!
Engage in sensory play
- Bring along some bubbles or fun fabrics and watch them dance in the wind! Just be sure to catch the drips with a towel so there’s no slip hazard on deck, and keep a tight hold on your fabric to keep it from flying away!
Sailing With Kids: 6-12
Kids ages 6 to 12 are old enough to enjoy some independence under supervision and often find sailing to be a thrilling mix of adventure and discovery – they’re explorers on the open ocean! Whereas they must stay seated on a moving speed boat, they can move while we’re underway, stretching their legs and letting their imagination soar.
Still, stretches of calm sailing without activities might feel a little monotonous to some older children and tweens. Need some boredom busters for kids before or after kayaking and snorkeling? We’ve got you covered! (Some of the activities we listed for younger kids may appeal, too.)
Make a map
- The waters of Key West are teeming with history! Kit out your kids with some binoculars and then encourage them to make a map of their adventure on the high seas. Some kids plot real-life sites – like Fort Zachary Taylor, the Key West Lighthouse, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary – and others prefer to make a map of their own creation, including an X to mark the treasure spot!
Keep a Captain’s Log
- Kids can draw or write about their day on the water to create their own Captain’s Log. Encourage them to include details of the wildlife they see while aboard and while kayaking and snorkeling! Themed stickers are a fun addition, too.
Write postcards
- Send a little sunshine to friends and loved ones with a hand-written postcard that starts with, “I’m sailing on a boat in Key West!” Kids can even pick the perfect postcard for each person on their list from the Danger Chandlery Store, where you’ll check in for your Sail, Snorkel & Kayak tour. And if you depart in the morning, you might even be able to mail them the same day – there’s a US Post Office just a seven-minute walk away!
Sailing With Kids: 13+
Just like younger kids and adults, teenagers are swept away by the wildlife of the Keys and the sense of freedom and adventure that comes with sailing. They also tend to enjoy lounging on deck, listening to music, reading, and soaking up the sun. It’s the perfect escape from screens, schoolwork, and everyday pressures; a refreshing change of pace.
That said, teens can lose interest if the pace of the day is too slow. It’s good to plan ahead either together or on their behalf, in case they need some ideas for fun things to do on a boat.
Document the day
- Encourage teens to photo-document your family sailing adventure from their perspective, perhaps kitting them out with an underwater camera ahead of the trip – talk about social media gold!
Get knot-ical
- We make sailing look like a breeze, but of course, there’s a lot of knowledge needed to man a boat in open water – including knots! Bring a length of rope and a book (or your own knowledge) about basic knots, and see what they can pick up while we’re at sea. Is anyone up for some friendly competition to see who can tie the fastest bowline or clove hitch?
Set a scavenger hunt
- Give your teens a list of challenges to accomplish before we return to the dock. Ideas include knot tying, wildlife spotting, sailing trivia, naming landmarks, and a photo contest. You’ll need a prize as well … how about being named the Honorary Captain, some Danger Charters swag, or the chance to pick where the family goes for dinner?
Ready for a day of five-star fun in the sun, and maybe games on a boat, with your family? We can’t wait for you to join us! Fair winds and following seas!
