A canal boat holiday is a fantastic family adventure—peaceful, slow-paced, and packed with opportunities to explore nature and local history. But if you’re traveling with kids, especially younger ones, you might be wondering how to keep them entertained on long stretches of water. The good news? With a bit of creativity and planning, a canal holiday can be one of the most memorable family trips you’ll ever take.
Here are our top tips and activity ideas to keep children engaged, happy, and excited throughout your canal journey.
1. Let Them Be the Crew
Kids love to feel involved. Give them a role aboard the boat—steering (under supervision), helping with mooring ropes, or reading the map. Even simple tasks like handing out life jackets or keeping lookout can make them feel important.
Tip: Create a fun “Canal Crew” checklist or print their own boat logbook to fill in daily.
2. Create a Nature Scavenger Hunt
Turn the countryside into a game. Create a list of things for them to spot from the boat or during mooring stops: ducks, dragonflies, narrowboats with funny names, locks, herons, or certain flowers.
Bonus Idea: Make a laminated checklist they can use with a dry-erase marker, or give small prizes for completing the hunt.
3. Pack a Canal Activity Box
Have a go-to stash of entertainment. Fill a box with coloring books, travel games, sticker books, card games, binoculars, or even DIY craft kits. Choose items that are compact and don’t create too much mess.
What to include:
- Magnetic board games (great for movement)
- Drawing pads and washable markers
- Travel puzzles
- Reusable sticker scenes
4. Plan Stop-Off Adventures
Build your itinerary around interesting places along the route. Many canal paths pass near nature reserves, castles, old mills, small villages, or cafes with ice cream.
Ideas for stops:
- Local playgrounds or picnic areas
- Short countryside walks or geocaching spots
- Historic canal museums or visitor centers
- Tea rooms with cake or hot chocolate rewards
5. Make Mealtimes an Activity
Let kids help plan and prepare simple meals on board. From building their own sandwiches to helping with one-pot dinners, getting them involved in cooking can be fun and educational.
Fun idea: Have a themed dinner night (e.g., “pirate dinner” or “picnic on deck”).
6. Use Tech Wisely
While a canal holiday is a great chance to unplug, there’s no harm in having some backup entertainment for rainy days or long stretches. Download a few family movies, audiobooks, or games before you set off, especially if signal may be weak along the route.
Suggestions:
- Nature documentaries about UK wildlife
- Audiobooks like The Wind in the Willows or Swallows and Amazons
- Educational apps about maps, boats, or animals
7. Encourage Journaling or Drawing
Give kids a travel journal to fill in during the trip. They can draw what they see, write about each day’s adventures, or even collect small souvenirs (like pressed leaves or postcards).
Tip: Use an instant camera or phone to print mini photos they can glue into their journal.
8. Embrace the Slow Pace
Most of all, a canal holiday is about slowing down. Encourage your kids to notice the little things: the ripple of water, birdsong, waving to passing boats. This is a great chance to bond as a family, away from the rush of everyday life.
Final Thoughts
With the right mix of involvement, activities, and exploration, a canal holiday can be just as exciting for kids as it is for adults. Whether it’s helping to steer, spotting wildlife, or simply enjoying a family meal on deck, the memories you create will last long after the trip ends.
Looking for family-friendly canal routes or boat rental tips? Let us know—happy to help plan your next great adventure!
