Toys for liveaboard kids

[jmrzasa85]

Hey, we are looking to start living aboard a 42' Calfornian in the next few months. We have two kids, 5 year old boy and 6 year old girl. We will definitely have to cut way down on toys and books. Just wondering what most of you find to be the toys your kids enjoy and use most. I was thinking of metal detectors for beach combing and a remote control boat maybe? For playing around on the docks?

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Jamie

[MBWhite]

When my kids were little I made some toy boats out of 2X4 lumber and put a screw eye in the bow and my kids would tow them off the back of the sailboat (it was just a small sailboat). It kept them pretty occupied! The boats looked like this, except this is a paddle wheel and ours just had a little cockpit routed out. Nothing too fancy as I was expecting them to visit Davy Jones and didn't want to have spent enough time where I wanted to preserve them rather than just let my kids have a good time:


I saw a couple of them still in a box somewhere not to long ago, if I find one in the next day or two I'll post a pic. But you can tie the string off and let them yank or pull on it and that keeps them busy for quite a while, but then it doesn't take that much to amuse my family.....

[MBWhite]

P.S. I think metal detectors would be extra cool too!

[ozskipper]

Water Pistols, super soakers etc etc.

And a "mother in law rope".. Its a rope that does nothing, but has hidden bungy on the far end. It can give the "littlies" something to do and feel like they are a part of the action. Even though it does nothing.

[GeoPowers]

We're a family of four living aboard- 6 and 8 year olds. My kids' favorites are:

Legos
Wii
Spot It
Kindle Fire
Books
Water guns/swimming
Action figures
Doll
Mancala

Frank


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[Captain Bligh]

bucket on a line
fishing poles
nets
kayaks or dinghy
ipad

[atoll]

harry potter invisibility cloaks?

[Jimbo485]

Sailing dinghy
Snorkelling gear
Spear guns
Fishing gear



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[jmrzasa85]

Thanks everybody for the responses

[drewvta]

Legos/ playmobile, books, snorkel gear, swim toys/ water guns, tube to drag, kayaks/ standup paddle board, fishing gear, board games, cards, pets, guitar ... That is our short list with a 9 year old boy and 12 old girl


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[FecklessDolphin]

A sailing dinghy is top of my list for when I take the kids cruising

[SailingTerrapin]

We have lots of art materials, legos and Barbies.

In an effort to afford all the expensive "toys"; SUP's, kayaks, surfboards, etc. you may want to think about asking for sponsorship. We recently did and so far it's worked out well. Kids are expensive!! Our last blog post was about the tandem ocean kayaks we scored. Best of luck

SV Terrapin: We've got Sea Fever! (and kayaks)

Cheers,
Sailing with Terrapin Crew

[ricdanger]

Originally Posted by ozskipper

Water Pistols, super soakers etc etc.



And a "mother in law rope".. Its a rope that does nothing, but has hidden bungy on the far end. It can give the "littlies" something to do and feel like they are a part of the action. Even though it does nothing.

Awesome! What a ripper idea!


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[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by GeoPowers

We're a family of four living aboard- 6 and 8 year olds. My kids' favorites are:

Legos
Wii
Spot It
Kindle Fire
Books
Water guns/swimming
Action figures
Doll
Mancala

Frank


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Frank--

Lego's and a child are deadly around a head! BTDT!

[JPA Cate]

A set of fids for splicing. If either one of them is dextrous, it is a wondrous skill, and they will see both the applicability of it and gain self respect and confidence from doing it.

Ann