credit: Fox Narrowboats

1) A Floating Home Full of Surprises

There’s something magical about stepping aboard your very own boat for the week. It’s not just a holiday; it’s an experience. Fox Narrowboats come fully equipped with all the comforts of home: a galley kitchen, shower, toilet, and separate bedrooms. Boats like the 55 foot cruiser, Platinum Fox, even offer a double bed and two singles — ideal for families.

platinum fox narrowboat double bed cabin

As you unpack and explore, the kids will love claiming their bunks, opening every cupboard, and plugging in their gadgets to the USB sockets. (Yes, there’s power for tablets!) But don’t be surprised if the real fun starts when the devices are forgotten and they’re out on deck watching the world go by.

platinum fox narrowboat single beds in cabin

Browse the boats: Choose a holiday narrowboat.

2) Everyone Gets Their Own Space

Unlike cramming into a tent or squeezing into a hotel room, a narrowboat offers separate cabins, giving children and parents a little space. Older kids can chill with their phones or read a book, while adults enjoy steering the boat, making lunch, or catching up over a cuppa. It’s the best of both worlds: togetherness, with the option to retreat.

3) Bring the Dog Too

Yes, the family pet is invited. Our canal holidays are dog-friendly, so your four-legged friend can join the adventure. Dogs love trotting along the towpath, exploring mooring spots, or snoozing on deck while the boat gently chugs along. Just remember a life jacket for smaller breeds, and a lead for adventurous ones!

credit: dog with life vest Matt Seymour

The kids will appreciate that the dog can come to the pub, tag along on walks, and be part of the fun every step of the way.

You may also like: Canal Boating With Your Dog: The Ultimate Guide

4) A Screen-Free Adventure (Sort Of)

They may not know it yet, but the children are actually going to enjoy being outdoors. A child that was previously glued to a screen may find themselves sitting on deck watching the ducks, or walking the towpath, simply because there is so much to see and do. The boat will be travelling at less than four miles per hour so it’s possible to walk and keep up with the boat. Simple jobs like mooring up the boat together give a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of being part of a team. At the end of the day the whole family should feel tired in a good way, relaxing at a waterside pub, before taking a short walk back to the boat for a good night’s sleep.

Marmont Priory Lock

5) Easy Access to Family-Friendly Days Out

Our hire boat base in Cambridgeshire allows easy boating access to the Middle Level and several navigable rivers, with plenty to explore along the way. Think picnics in the sunshine, spotting kingfishers, and visiting historic sites like Ely Cathedral or Oliver Cromwell’s House. Interested in culture? You can cruise all the way to Cambridge and explore the University colleges or try punting on the river Cam. Museums, windfarms, old churches, local music festivals, quaint villages, ancient mills, medieval streets, fish and chips, and traditional pubs are just some of the things you can enjoy when you’re cruising in the Fens.

There’s something for everyone, from curious teens to inquisitive little ones (and grown-up history geeks, too).

6) Become Part of the Crew

If your weekdays feel like ships passing in the night, a narrowboat holiday brings you all back together… in the same boat! (Groan.) Before you set off, we’ll show you the ropes (literally), teaching your crew how to navigate and handle the boat safely. When you cast off and begin your first cruise there is a wonderful sense of freedom, and you’ll find you begin to spend quality time together.

credit: Scott Precious

Kids love getting involved, learning mooring knots, working the locks, or even having a go at steering, under supervision. Suddenly, everyone has a role. Even doing the dishes feels like an adventure when you’re chugging gently along on the river, with the countryside rolling past your window.

Ready to Make This Summer Unforgettable?

Whether it’s the freedom of the open water, the novelty of boat life, or the simple joy of shared experiences, a narrowboat holiday creates memories your kids will treasure for years.

credit : Fox narrowboats

Book your floating family adventure with Fox Narrowboats today, and discover the joy of slow travel, together. Booking on our website gets you an instant online discount.

Don’t miss more articles about what to see and do when narrowboating in the Fens: Sign up to follow this blog in the sidebar on the right.

Photos credits: dog life vest Matt Seymour on Unsplash, mooring Scott Precious on Unsplash

The post Why Your Kids Will Love a Narrowboat Summer Holiday appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.

Are you asking yourself what to do in the school summer holidays?
Are your kids already glued to the TV or tablet?
Are you searching for some healthy outdoor activities to stave off boredom?

Day boat hire in Cambridgeshire could be the solution you are looking for. Invite extra family and friends and head out on the beautiful Fenland waterways for a day.

There’s no need to splash out on a luxury foreign break this summer when what your children really want is your undivided attention. (Those sibling squabbles in the holidays are often just an attempt to get an adult’s attention.) If you schedule a family boat trip this summer you can eliminate the hassle of road traffic and airport queues that are usually associated with holidays abroad.

School holidays used to be a time for children to spend their days running around outdoors, but with some parents’ reluctance to let them play outside unsupervised, children can now turn to their digital devices for play time. However, screen time may be consuming hours that could otherwise be spent building up strength and exploring the outside world.

Any kind of walking, playing or running around will help to maintain children’s fitness levels during this time off from school. On a day-boat trip or a hire boat holiday children can walk ahead on the towpath to operate locks, learning new skills, feeling independent and keeping active. Older children can have a go at steering the boat. Creative children may like to take photos and make a scrap book about their boating adventure. (Watch out for wildlife such as kingfishers and other water fowl.)

A picnic also offers the opportunity to spend some quality family time together, and costs very little money. If you want to plan a picnic without any traffic troubles or tantrums, follow these 3 simple steps to the perfect waterside picnic: How to Use Your Canal Boat Holiday to Plan the Perfect Picnic.

Our day boats can carry up to 10 passengers per boat and you can even bring your dog with you. Before setting off you will be shown how to steer the boat, and children will be provided with life jackets, and made to feel part of the crew.

Our day boat hire base is in the Fenland Market town of March, just 30 minutes from Cambridge by train. Fox Boats marina is on the River Nene, a picturesque pleasure boating route. Our two day boats, the March Adventurer and the March Explorer have a seating area, galley and toilet. Your journey may take you east towards the attractive village of Upwell, or west past Floods Ferry Marina park, along tranquil, scenic waterways. Both of these relaxing cruises offer beautiful scenery and wildlife, and with plenty of room at the bow or stern, everyone can be outside.

A school holiday day boat adventure costs just £175 for 10 people, midweek.

You can also choose from week boating holidays (7 nights), midweek boating breaks (4 nights), or weekend boating breaks (3 nights). We have different narrowboats available depending on the size of your group, and you can view the different boat layouts here: Fox Holiday Hire Fleet.

You may also like: 5 Family Goals You Can Achieve on a Narrowboat Holiday

Check out what to bring: Don’t Go On a Canal Holiday Without These 5 Kids Essentials

1. PS. Don’t miss more free articles about what to see and do when narrowboating in the Fens: Sign up to follow this blog in the sidebar on the right.

The post Canal Boats: The Antidote to School Holiday Boredom appeared first on Fox Narrowboats.