Fun On the Water: Canal Boat Games and Entertainment

Are you looking for ways to keep the whole family amused on your canal boat holiday? Dive into board games, join in with narrowboat bingo or snap some memorable moments for your journey scrapbook. Embrace the slower pace and win over your crew with our entertainment ideas below. 

Ways to have fun on the water

‘All aboard’ games 

Boat bingo 

Age range: 5+ 

Number of players: 2-8 

Write a list of things to look out for on a piece of paper, such as spotting a particular bird, a landmark, or a dog in the window. Then one person should create a pile of 3x3 or 4x4 square bingo cards with a mix of these objects to spot on each card. 

Cards  

Age range: 10+ 

Number of players: 1-8 

It’s always worth taking a pack or two of playing cards on your narrowboat holiday. Play solo solitaire, double-up with Snap, or start a game of Texas Hold’em or Gin Rummy. 

Board games 

Age range: 5+ 

Number of players: 2-8 

Do you prefer classic games like Scrabble, Battleship or backgammon? Or if there are a handful of you, why not try trivia, quiz or fantasy tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons? 

Water pong 

Age range: 8+ 

Number of players: 2-8 

Fill your cups evenly with whatever you fancy – the usual choice is beer, but you can use non-alcoholic drinks too for the younger boaters. The idea is to land the ping pong ball in your opponents’ cups as quickly as possible before they get you out. Your ball should only bounce once before it lands in the cup.   

If you do intend to drink alcohol onboard and need to travel after your games, it’s always good to have a designated driver who drinks responsibly. 

Child-friendly activities on a canal boat 

Whether you have school-age kids or teenagers, keeping them doesn’t have to be a chore.  

Get them involved 

• Mini skippers: Get them involved with helping out around the boat. Opt for supervised steering, cleaning up or helping with locks. 

• Self-catering: Keep meals simple, quick and interactive with the foods you all enjoy cooking, making and baking. 

• Photography: Document your holiday from their point of view with cameras or smartphones. We recommend safety attachments to devices, such as wrist-tie cases, so they don’t go overboard! 

Independent time 

• Watching: ABC boats have complimentary WiFi with unlimited data. Speeds may vary for streaming so download your favourite shows beforehand for uninterrupted viewing. 

• Drawing: Doodle the flowers that you see on your travels. 

• Radios and walkie-talkies: Create a boat radio station, tell stories with sound effects across the boat or set up a canal-side karaoke party. 

• Playing: Transform into pirates or sailors for the day – don’t forget your costumes and props!  

Do I have to stay onboard the boat? 

Only if you want to! There are loads of exciting or calming activities to do when you’re on a narrowboat holiday.  Here are six activities you can balance with onboard activities: 

• film fanatic? Visit canal-side filming locations on your journey 

• enjoy nature? Grab a rod licence and fish across stretches of the UK, or bring your binoculars for a spot of bird watching 

• interested in culture? Many towns close to canals are home to iconic historical and artistic venues across the country 

• worked up an appetite from all that fun? Moor your boat for a bite to eat at some of the best restaurants along UK canals 

• are you an active bunch? Find canal hikes or dust off your bikes and explore the British countryside 
• want to explore what’s on land? Pop to the village shops on your travels for fresh goods or experience the charm of medieval architecture and castles at some of the best English towns by canal  

Although you might be tempted in the warmer weather, swimming isn’t allowed. Canals are clean for the most part, but they’re shallow, muddy and disguise objects you might not see from the surface. 

Ready to make unforgettable memories on the water without spending a fortune?

Browse our locations across the UK and book your narrowboat holiday today.