Growing up, I was strictly a beach girl and except for sailing lessons as a kid, I had very little experience with boating. When we got our boat a few years ago, I had a lot to learn! Starting off on a boat with a toddler forces you to learn quickly, so I think I’ve gotten pretty efficient at packing a boat bag. I learned that it takes a while to pack everything up, even when we’re going for a quick trip, so the more that you have pre-packed and organized the better. I use Scout Bags and clear pouches to keep everything together and I try to leave it in the mudroom and not let the kids pilfer everything out of it in between outings!

What’s in my Boat Bag:

Essentials:

I try to keep everything in little packs because the kids are in and out of the boat bag all the time, and it’s a lot easier for them to find stuff if it’s all together. Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses are the must haves! The kids never think they’re going to want sunglasses or hats, but then they need them two minutes into the trip, so I’ve learned to keep pouches of designated boat hats and glasses. These also tend to get carried away by the wind (hats) or fall overboard (sunglasses), so it’s nice to have boat pairs that aren’t that expensive or precious..

Sunscreen is a must for the boat too-even for a short trip. I usually lotion up the kids at home and then I bring sticks and sprays for touch ups on the boat. My kids are pretty fair, so if we’re going on a longer drive to get somewhere, I’ll talk them into wearing hats for the ride so they aren’t sun and wind-burnt before we even get to our destination. 

I also always bring towels and extra bathing suits, even if no one is planning to get wet, like when we’re taking the boat to a restaurant for dinner. You never know when you’re going to get wet, and the kids like to use the towels as blankets or pillows. I also always bring an extra outfit for myself because I’m paranoid about ending up wet.

We got these bungee balls this summer and they’ve been a game changer. We use them to hang the life jackets or bathing suits so that they dry quickly. There’s nothing worse than putting on a wet life jacket over dry clothes!

My favorite sandals for the boat this summer have been my Moses Sandals from Tuckernuck. They’re made from sustainable PCU and have held up really well. Just wish I had them in more colors!

Entertainment and Snacks:

I bring my Kindle in case I have a moment to read and some card games for the kids. This summer they’ve been loving Bears vs Babies, Exploding Kittens and Uno. If we’re going on a longer ride, the kids will bring books too.

Something about the boat makes everyone sooo hungry! If we’re going out for a few hours, then I pack a whole cooler bag of food with fruit and sandwiches and often a cheese platter, but if we’re just going for a quick morning fishing trip or cruise, then I’ll just throw some snacks in the boat bag. I usually bring dried apples, trail mix, a bag of chips, and some bars. I’ll also bring Hydroflasks with water and a few seltzers.