Kids love boating. And, few things compare to seeing a child's face light up as they enjoy the marvels of a day on the water. On longer trips, however, smiles can turn upside down when kids become bored on the boat. Here's a list of fun activities that will keep small children engaged and entertained while you reach your destination. Electronic babysitters such as DVDs and hand-held games are great, in limited doses, but do you really want your young sailors stuck in the cabin with their faces glued to a screen? Draw them out with activities that relate to their nautical surroundings.

Remember driving to grandma’s and counting cows, punch buggies, or finding ABCs on road signs? Kids can play variants of those same games onboard. Count seagulls, or compete to spot the most different species of animals. Having a paperback nature guide onboard is a big help. That way, children can also learn about the life they see. Free paper charts found online or in ship’s stores are great for plotting sighting locations.

Binoculars or spyglasses fascinate kids. Give a child one of the inexpensive variety and let him have a job helping you spot marine traffic. They can also use the devices when searching for particular boat models or nautical landmarks during a scavenger hunt. An inexpensive digital camera will add another level of fun for your youngster.

Bait in a bucket can occupy small children for hours. All you need is a five-gallon bucket, a cast net, and a school of bait fish. Catch a few greenbacks or threadfin, throw them in the bucket with a little water, slide it to the back of the boat and watch them go. If a kid is a bit squeamish about handling live bait, a child-size, floating bait net works well. The net can also be used to catch other critters and collect shells when you hit the beach.

On colder days that force the family into the cabin, an art box is ideal. A medium size plastic box with a locking lid will do. Fill the box with crayons, marine-themed coloring books, puzzles, scissors, copy paper, etc. Most kids love to color. Teach them how to color their own nautical flags, then display them on the portholes. They can create their own “Kids Aboard” burgees and fly them topside to alert kids on other boats that they are onboard. Copy paper may also be used to fold paper boats, which they can decorate and sail later.

Search the internet for more entertaining ideas. You’ll find plenty. One great site is www.KidsAboard.com . Once your boat is properly equipped, setting a course for family fun is a snap.