Most of the time, my teenagers (and their friends) are completely content to fly across the lake in tubes, float lazily in the water when we’re at anchor, or soak up some rays on our sun lounger. So imagine my surprise when our motley crew of teens spent the better part of a boating afternoon uttering that disdainful refrain, “I’m boooored!”

Whereby it falls to me, party-planner-snack-maker-extraordinaire, to invent some kind of captivating game. And since our family boating outings need to be, ahem, family-friendly, there are a few activities (wild party drinking, I’m looking at you) that we forgo entirely.

But with my thinking cap on (and a little help from my friend Siri) I did come up with a few entertaining ways to pass away the hours in our glorious boat under the sun. Maybe you’ll enjoy trying them out, too!

The Classic Scavenger Hunt

If your passengers are a bit old for a game of, “I spy with my little eye….” You can still invent a seeing scavenger hunt that’s a bit more challenging. I’ve had the most luck when I entice participation with a reward (extra soda, control of the playlist, $5 bucks…is this bribery? Who cares at this point?). Before our last outing, I made up a list of things we were likely (but not certain) to find, then asked the crew to keep their eyes peeled. Here are some of the things we hunted for: paddle boards * state flag * swim mat * PWCs * red boat cover * sailing buoys * boat house * water tower * swans. You can always make the list more specific to up the difficulty level, or simplify it for grandkids if that’s who you’re lucky enough to have on board.

Geocaching By Boat

Up the ante by searching for actual treasure (er, random trinkets or coins) that have been hidden away by previous geocachers. Using your smartphone and the Geocaching app, use GPS to find nearby hidden containers that usually have a logbook for finders to sign, along with small trinkets or toys for trading. It’s a fun way to explore little coves or inlets along the waterfront, and is a great activity for kids of all ages. Be sure to leave a little treasure behind for the next batch of hunters to find. (My favorites are tiny ducks, simply because they’re adorable.)

Sandy Sculptures

If you stop at the beach, there’s more you can do than simply work on your tan. If you collect shells, leaves, and sticks, you can make a geometric and eye-pleasing nature mandala for someone to admire later. It’s a little way to add art time and creativity to the day. You can also challenge your crew to let their imagination fly with a little sand sculpture competition. Beyond castles, you can sculpt mermaids or monsters and embellish them with seaweed hair and seashell clothes. Snap a few photos before the tide washes everything away.

A little creativity can turn an ordinary afternoon into one your crew will be talking about long after the boat is back in the slip. So the next time you hear those dreaded words, “I’m bored,” you’ll have a few tricks up your sleeve to keep everyone entertained. After all, any day spent on the water is a good one, and with a little imagination, it can be unforgettable.