Meeting Other Kids While Cruising the Great Loop
One of the most common questions from families considering the Great Loop is how kids can meet and connect with other kids along the journey. Social interaction is crucial for kids, and while the experience of meeting other kids on the Loop can vary, there are plenty of opportunities for making friends and staying connected.
Some families have completed the Loop while sticking with a few other “kid boats.” An increasing number of families are considering leaving their stationary homes and going on nomadic adventures, opening the doors for journeys like the Great Loop. The more families on the Loop, the more chances of spending time with “kid boats!”
You might meet kids at marinas or anchorages, the library, or while visiting playgrounds. If you can buddy boat with another family for a bit, that’s a delightful experience.
We happened to anchor next to a kid boat near St. Augustine and were able to spend a lot of time together for a few days. One of the days we explored St. Augustine together! It was so fun having another kid around to play with.
While we’ve met a few kid boats here and there, we’ve found that many of the kids were family cruisers, not specifically traveling the Loop. Most of these “kid boat” encounters happened while we were in the Bahamas or at AGLCA Rendezvous events, and we’ve been able to run into some of these boats again while traveling along our Loop route.
We LOVED getting to hang out with other boat kids at the AGLCA Spring Rendezvous in May 2024!
Even though we haven’t been able to be around many kids on the Loop, we’ve managed to keep in touch with other kids using Facebook’s Messenger Kids. This app, and ones like it, is particularly helpful for cruising families since we need a fixed address to send mail. Whenever we do meet kid boats, we make the most of it and try to spend a few days together.
Our kids have also benefited from interacting with adults and people of all age groups. They have learned to handle themselves in various social situations and often receive compliments on their conversational skills. These interactions have been invaluable in building their confidence and social abilities.
Tips for Meeting Other Kids on the Loop:
Join Looping/Boating Communities:
Get involved with the AGLCA and other cruising communities to connect with other families. Also, join the Kids4Sail group and use the app NoForeignLand to find kid boats.Buddy Boating:
Buddy boat with another family. Cruising with another family boat can provide more consistent companionship for your kids (and sometimes a chance for a kid-free date!).Frequent Marinas and Family-Friendly Spots:
Visit marinas and places known to be family-friendly. You’re more likely to meet other families there. We try to find playgrounds and libraries in the towns we visit.Use Email and Apps:
Use apps like Messenger Kids to keep in touch with friends from home and new friends you meet.Create Fun Family Activities:
Plan family activities that everyone can enjoy and invite other boaters to join. Group activities can lead to more interactions and friendships. (Here are some of our favorite games)Explore Together:
Explore a new town together as a family in a new place. Visit parks, museums, and other attractions where you might meet local families.Icebreakers:
If you have pets, take them for walks in marinas. Pets are great icebreakers and can lead to conversations with other families. If you (like us) don’t have pets, asking where to find the best ice cream is an excellent way to start a conversation, and having a boat card with a picture of your Great Loop map on it helps, too!
Meeting other kids while cruising the Great Loop can vary from family to family. Still, there are plenty of opportunities to make lasting connections. Whether through buddy boating, staying in touch with friends from home, or interacting with adults and other cruisers, your kids will have enriching social experiences. Share your tips and experiences in the comments below!
