When Julia Babair's son turns 5 years old in January, he won't be eating pizza at a videogame
arcade or jumping in a bounce house with his birthday party buddies. He'll celebrate the big day
aboard the family's 22-foot boat.
With two or three of his best friends, big sister and parents, Chase Babair's horizon is wide
open for the day. "It'll be a blast," says Julia Babair, of Cape Coral, Fla., who started boating
nine years ago when she married husband Michael, a lifelong boater who grew up in the lake-rich
Orlando area. The Babairs are among America's boating families who've figured out dynamic ways to
incorporate their children's birthdays into fun on water.
Why work to entertain kids with parties in backyards or at area attractions when so many themes
lend themselves to boating? With a little creativity on the parents' part, partygoers can become
pirates, mermaids, jungle explorers or marine biologists. This winter, parents in cold climates can
spend time daydreaming about not only the 2007 boating season, but also about how to make a
fabulous party for their children who have late-spring through early-fall birth dates.
When Lori Tomaselli's son
Jimmy Holdgrafer turned 8 years old last winter, the Southwest Florida mom planned a pirate party
aboard a chartered boat. Children got their faces painted at the dock at Fort Myers Beach to look
like weathered pirates, and everybody received a skullcap or an eye patch.
Forget Disney World's Pirates of the Caribbean ride. This was a happenin' party, complete with
water guns that served to fight off a disguised pirate in a dinghy. There was also a watertight
treasure chest loaded with plastic toys and candy that kids hauled in shortly after the captain
planted it off the stern. "Everybody had fun because it was like a little pirate adventure finding
the treasure," Tomaselli says. "I was looking to do something a little different than the typical
birthday party."
That included asking the bakery to create a pirate ship-shaped cake, which she served at a
dockside picnic table once the boat arrived back on shore.
Creating an on-water party is as simple as selecting a theme. Try one of these themes:
ROBINSON CRUSOE: Live near a beach? You're all set. Tell a tale from one of the
world's most popular adventure novels at the dock, and then head out to the shore. Turn 'em loose
drawing pictures with sticks on the beach, and then do activities that are similar to being on a
deserted island. Rock-skipping contest, anyone? Bring along some milk cartons and waterproof
markers. Spread a blanket and let the decorating begin. Then, race the "boats" in shallow water.
Don't forget to bring the squirt guns to ward off "angry natives."
HAWAIIAN: Silk-flower leis and grass skirts go on easily over clothes for kids
taking a tropical cruise. Play luau-like tunes on a boom box. Fake coconut-halves serve well as
punch cups. Not a windy day? Break out tiny drink umbrellas when you anchor up in a protected cove.
A simple but fun craft is making paper flowers.
JUNGLE CRUISE: Get the local librarian to select jungle-themed books. (After
checking them out, make sure you pack them in a waterproof bag for the ride out.) Then, point the
bow to a waterfront park, or better yet, an island. Unload the kids, let them get their yah-yahs
out by playing, and then do story time. Pass around props as the children sit in a circle. Serve
some "jungle" food like bananas, and you're ready for the trip home.
MARINE SCIENCE TOUR: Call the local nature center or children's science museum in
advance, or scan your area's parenting magazines for ads. You can find someone who will come aboard
with you to be the marine biology expert of the day, and even bring a mobile "touch tank" of
critters. Instead of sending kids home with party favors in typical plastic sacks, make them
"catch" their goodies. Pre-rig a few poles and drop the lines when partygoers aren't looking. Each
child can haul disposable plastic containers hooked to the lines that are loaded with fun items.
Let these theme ideas be a springboard for your own. There are endless horizons of fun. Try a
mermaid theme for girls. Do a snorkeling party for older grade-schoolers. Make a fishing day for
pre-teens. Try some beach blanket bingo aboard.
Tomaselli says she's not done with boating birthdays. "When the kids are older, the sky's the
limit," says Tomaselli, who also has a daughter, Nicole, 6. "We can even put them in kayaks."
Party Planner
Following these tips will help ensure that your kid's onboard birthday party is a resounding
success.
Think PFDs: When party invites go out and RSVPs come in, be sure to get an idea of
each child's weight so you have appropriate-sized personal flotation devices. Plan to have life
vests for any "spare" adults, too.
Know your boat: Don't overload it. Know your capacity before you create your
invitation list.
Make the party age-appropriate: Parents of toddlers and preschoolers
typically want to stay for parties, so plan for them to climb aboard. Better yet, wait until
children are 8 years or older and don't need parental supervision, other than what you and your
boat captain provide.
Survey your passengers: It's always good for parents and captains to be
aware of swimming abilities of young guests. Make sure an adult aboard knows basic first aid and
CPR.
Teach a boating lesson: Party guests may be landlubbers. Before you leave the
dock, do a fun but informative lesson about basics, such as identifying the bow, stern, starboard
and port. Have kids run from side to side as you announce the directions in a "Simon Says" fashion.
Don't pollute: When planning the party favors, decorations and onboard activities,
think about what will and won't blow out of the boat. Plan to anchor up somewhere when crafts are
being created.
Be prepared: Depending on the climate during your child's birthday month, you may
need to bring sunscreen, bug spray, rain ponchos, spare coats, etc. - just make sure to bring
aboard enough for your child and his or her buddies. Always pack lots of liquids, no matter the
season.
Eat on shore: Save yourself cleanup time later by having the cake and ice
cream on shore at a waterfront park or back at the dock at a picnic table. Food aboard can include
simpler snacks and drinks.
- B.C.