Family Boating: Create lasting memories

This post is sponsored by Discover Boating but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

A family boating trip is a fantastic way to connect and enjoy each other and nature. See how easy it is to find a boat and why a day on the water will create lasting memories for your family!

Boating has been a part of my life. From weekends at the cabin with extended family to bringing my own kiddos up spending summers at the lake. It will always be a special time for making memories with our family.

I’m doing a little reminiscing about what family boating has always meant to me and how much I enjoy it with my own children. I also have some fantastic resources to share with you if you’d like to find a boat to make your own family boating memories. Even more, I have our top five family boating essentials for a great trip!

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Yay! It’s boating season!

Our family loves getting out on the boat. For us, summer is synonymous with the lake.

Read all about our favorite buy of the summer – our water mat!

Cabin Life

We have gone “up north” to the cabin since I was 2 years old. In the beginning, all the extended family stayed with my grandparents at “The Lodge.” It was an old resort lodge and restaurant they restored. I still can’t believe we all stayed in that one place!

When I was in Jr. High, we built our own cabin on the lot next door. I have fantastic memories of staining the boards for the ceiling and watching it all take shape. There was also a small cabin on the hill – one of the original rental cabins – that my aunt, uncle, and cousins started staying in.

In recent years we have spread out even more. As my three cousins started to marry, my aunt and uncle bought a place down the road with two cabins on the lot. Then again, this past year, my parent’s bought a couple lots in between and built a garage and a “carriage house” living space above.

Lake Life

The main reason for the garage is to house the boat. Boating is a huge part of our time up at the cabin!

My grandparent’s always had a pontoon boat as I was growing up. Then, we had a personal watercraft that my friends and I would ride around on or tube behind. My dad also had a fishing boat.

The same year that my son was born was when we got our pontoon boat. So, the kids have completely grown up on the boat!

I have the sweetest photos of my son on the water weeks after he was born. The kids are so accustomed to the boat that they are still just as comfortable with their life jackets and maneuvering around on water as they are on land.

Also Read: Summer Staycation Ideas: Close to home family memories

Our boating weekend

Click here to get your family out on the water!

Memorial Day Weekend

The most exciting boating weekend of the year is Memorial Day weekend. As we all remember those who have given everything for our freedom, we also celebrate the start of summer.

The dock, lifts, and boats typically go in for the first time that weekend. Everyone in the north is excited to finally shake off that long winter and spend the next months outside!

This Memorial Day weekend, we got the boat in the water and headed out for a day on the lake. The lake was hopping with others doing the same!

We brought out the brats, snacks, and beverages. The kids even put on their suits and we hauled out our new toy! I’m pretty sure the water was only about 30-40 degrees… At least with the water pad they can splash around without getting completely submerged.

What boating does for a family

For us, the boat bring everyone together. You’re in a small space, there is gorgeous water all around you, and the summer feels get ya!

We get out on the boat with three generations. Grandpa drives the boat and makes sure the fishing gear is ready. Grandma has all the food and wrangles the kids asking for snacks. Dad sits back and immediately enjoys the view while tuning everything out. Mom distracts the kids from the snacks with sights of birds, boats, and water sports. The kids finally stop asking for snacks and ask when we’re going to stop to swim!

You just can’t beat it.

The phones go away. Talk of video games goes away. The fresh air, warm sun, and water rushing by calms everyone into a quiet appreciation. The kids giggle and splash around in the water. The adults talk about anything and everything. The fishing poles come out and it’s either calm and zen-like or frantic and exciting.

Again… you can’t beat it!

Boating with your family

Believe it or not, you don’t have to own a boat to have a wonderful boating experience with your family! Whether your looking for something to do on vacation or looking for activities close to home, boating opportunities can be found!

This is our second time partnering with Discover Boating. We love boating so much and we want everyone to experience how it brings a family together!

Click here for more family boating resources and inspiration!

Boating Resources and Rentals

Fortunately, it’s easy to find boating rentals in your area by just entering your zip code. You can also find youth programs and boating resources.

If you’re thinking about going all in and buying a boat to enjoy these moments with your family, they also have a boat finder tool and a boat loan calculator.

5 Family Boating Essentials

If you’ve found the boat and you’re planning your family boating trip, you’ll need a few things to help everything go smoothly.

Here are our top five family boating essentials.

Life Jackets

We love our Body Glove neoprene jackets. The kids have had them for years now and they’re very comfortable and nice for swimming too. When the kids were young we went with jackets with a piece to hold up the head – and for a quick grab if we needed to! This one even has the grab handle for bigger kids!

Suncreen

This is a must! I’m sure it’s at the top of your list too, but let me recommend just one more thing… Bring a spray sunscreen to catch those excited kids on the go. Also, find a great face sunscreen to really get those little (and big) faces covered. Our biggest tip when it comes to sunscreen is to use Bull Frog which will also help with bugs or even swimmers itch (unproven, but it makes us feel better!).

Snacks and Drinks

What is a family boating trip without snacks! We love to load up on water, sandwiches, chips, fruit, and treats that won’t melt. Well, let’s face it, we love our chocolate so we just keep it in the cooler. If you’re lucky enough to own a Yeti cooler, you can pretty much bring anything you want!

Extra Towels

For some reason, one towel per person is never enough. Extra towels are helpful for hot seats, cool post-swim rides, too much sun, covering food, etc. Bring what you need… and then bring a few more!

Wipes

These are always a must for any trip! We always have a pack of wipes on the boat and we use them often! With eating, fishing, and swimming they come out a lot.

Also read: 7 Overlooked Items You Want in Your Disney Bag

Oh my goodness! I’m realizing now that I could go on and on about family boating essentials! These are the few that stick out the most, but not an exhaustive list.

Find our other 12 Family Boating Essential here!

Also read an entire post dedicated to our love for our water mat... lily pad… water pad or whatever you call it!

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Get started on your own boating adventure!

If this has you jonesing for the water, be sure to check out Discover Boating for boat rentals, boat finder and loan calculator, boating resources, and everything you need to get your family boating!

Check out even more family boating essentials here!

Some Boating Favorites