Boating is great, but keeping everyone entertained is key. There is so much to do to enhance your boat time both on land and on water. We’ve compiled a list of some great games and sports that can add to your water experience.
1. Beach Horseshoes
You don’t need a $300 set of Horseshoes, but now you will want them. We design the perfect set made with 316 Stainless Steel to ensure that it will not rust. In our horseshoe set, you get two high-grade stainless steel stakes, 4 horseshoes, and a quality canvas storage bag for easy carrying and transport. It’s all you need for a fun, competitive game of horseshoes with family and friends.
2. Heads Up
Need help keeping the kids entertained as you taxi? Heads up is a hilarious, fun & fast-paced guessing game. Just put on a headband and place game cards in with words facing out—without looking at them! Race the timer to guess the words you’re wearing in your headband based on your teammate’s clues. It's a great game for parties or hanging out on your boat. The Heads Up App is available on smartphones, so you can literally play anywhere.
3. Frisbee
Frisbees will provide hours of fun for humans and dogs alike. It’s a great way to get some exercise either in or out of the water. Another bonus is that there is usually no shortage of people around that join in, making it not only a great way to get some exercise, but also a way to meet new friends. If you don’t already have one hiding in your garage, they can range in price from $2 to more than $30, depending on your desired quality.
4. Building Sand Castles
Get creative and make a good ole fashion sand castle. Work together as a family to create an amazing, elaborate sandcastle sculpture that builds lasting memories you’ll never forget. Adding a moat around it is a must! A quick trip to the toy aisle at your local store will provide you with everything you need, specifically Sand Castle Molds. Plus, plastic sand toys don’t cost a fortune. You get a lot of fun and memories for very little money. Be creative, and don’t be afraid of getting a little dirty.
5. Beach Volleyball/Badminton
If you have a larger group of family or friends, get two teams together for some competitive beach (or water) volleyball or Badminton. Stay hydrated since this is definitely a more rigorous beach game. There are sets available in stores or online for both land and water. Volleyball typically has 6 players preside and allows for no more than 3 hits of the ball per side. Just set your boundaries in the sand and have a blast. Badminton is a game that is played with 3 games of each reaching 21 points total. The best out of three wins the match. Of course, you can set the rules as you want. The object is to have FUN!
6. Geocache
This is an activity that kids just LOVE! Geocache is a fun, exploring adventure that gives both adults and kids a fun reward at the end. There are websites and apps for your phone that give you a veritable treasure map for finding hidden gems. You just sign up and are given the Longitude and Latitude coordinates of the “treasure” you are searching for. Check this video, “What is Geocaching,” that will help explain this unique hobby.
If you are not near an actual Geocache location, no worries. You can create your own Geocache. Simple stock a sealable small box with assorted toys, trinkets, or tasty snacks. Then secretly hide this “treasure” behind a grove of trees or lightly bury it on the beach ( two sticks forming an “X” over the top make it mysterious). Provide a simple-to-follow map for the kids to help them find their “treasure." Kids are delighted to discover their very own pirate’s booty.
7. Sand Art
The whole family can get some artistic time in by drawing some fun and silly drawings on the beach. A small tree branch or stick will do the trick. The great thing is that you have plenty of room to draw and if you make a mistake, just wait for the tide to erase it or pour a bucket of water. Beach art makes a great backdrop for family photos. Just add your family name and date to have a lasting memory to treasure forever. You can make it a competition or just pick a theme. Tic Tac Toe games in the sand are a fun, easy pastime. You’ll enjoy the laughs and giggles from your little ones as they create their own masterpiece. Need some ideas? Check out this Drawing In the Sand Pinterest board.
8. Water Tag
Pick up a couple of water cannons and let the games begin. Water blaster races that require not much more than plastic cups attached to strings offer great competition for kids and adults. Of course, nothing beats taking aim and squirting your intended target when they least expect it. It usually provokes shrieks of laughter and surprise. You can play a game of kids against parents or boys against girls. It’s just naturally one of the most fun games to play while out enjoying the water. Just fill the water blaster from the lake, and you are ready for action. It’s definitely a way to get the laughs going. However, we do recommend that you wear eye protection for safety reasons.
9. Kayaking or Canoeing
Kayaking or canoeing is a wonderful family sport. You are able to explore fun coves and streams and get some beneficial exercise at the same time. It teaches children some great water skills too. Kayaking and canoeing do require some preparation ahead of time. Learning to balance and use the oars to manage your direction builds confidence. This is an opportunity to get to observe nature in a non-motorized way. This sport should always be done wearing an approved safety vest or jacket.
10. Corn Hole
Otherwise known as bean bag toss, corn hole has become a very popular competitive game both on land and water. There are floatable sets available from your local department store as well as on the web. If you prefer the "land version," they offer that as well. It’s great for all ages, and the distance can be adjusted for younger players. As well as being entertaining, it builds excellent eye-hand coordination and depth perception skills.
Cornhole can be played singularly or with teams. The object is to get the most bags into the hole and to knock your opponent’s bags off the base. This can be quite a challenge, especially with the floating game. Here is the official list of rules for playing and keeping score. If you are creative and crafty, you can even build your own set and decorate it in your own style.
