On the Job

Five Ways to Entertain Kids on Board

30 October 2024 By Ella Peters
child dressed as pirate looking through telescope
iStock/Imgorthand

Here's some tips and tricks for keeping the little ones busy and having fun as it requires patience, making sure you’re prepared and a whole lot of creativity.

Entertaining kids on board (and in some of the world’s most luxurious environments) provides its own unique challenges — from constant supervision to restrictions on running and the need to stay engaged during longer, bumpier passages. Here are some activity ideas tailored for both deck crew and stews:

Chamois technicians 

Let the kids feel they are part of the crew by handing them a chamois or a mop. While this might not necessarily make your duties easier or quicker, it’s a fun way to involve them in deck crew activities (and know exactly where they are). You can almost guarantee there will be more fingerprints than before, but happy little people count for a lot! 

Water gun fight 

Engage youngsters in a lively water gun fight. Not only is this a blast, but it’s also an excellent way to let them burn off some energy. Always ensure a safe and supervised environment for this watery adventure (and that the activity doesn’t find its way to the interior).

Mocktails

Let the children behind the cocktail bar (or do it at the table) for a mocktail-making session. Giving them carte blanche to mix and match flavors to concoct their own non-alcoholic beverages is guaranteed fun, even if the result may be slightly hit or miss. Combine sweet and sour flavors, see how colors mix together, make sugar glass rims and utilize all the mini-umbrellas and other child-appropriate cocktail paraphernalia you have on board. Then let them host a drinks reception for the grown-ups.

Napkin folding

Teach them the art of napkin folding. This unique-to-yachting activity will have them feeling like an integral part of the crew. It’s also handy as you can keep them entertained while doing your table prep. They can proudly showcase their napkin creations to family members during meals.

Treasure hunt

Plan a treasure hunt that spans a range of areas across the yacht. It’s great fun for everyone: encourage some of the crew to dress as pirates, find somebody that’s happy to be saved (it’s fun when this person is the captain) and have a few crew on hand to help with clues. Play a pirate playlist, plant some treasure to find along the way and throw in a few surprise challenges!

Ella Peters spent more than eight years in yachting, with six as a nanny. She launched superyachtnanny.co in 2023 to offer coaching and support for yacht nannies.

 

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