You’ve fished, anchored, been swimming, and now the kids want to do something else.

No – we’re not resorting to having faces buried in electronic games, etc. It’s summer! Time for active fun with the family. There are lots of great toys for healthy activity around a boat. We invested in some inflatable kayaks – one a two-seater and the other two are solo. They take up very little room and a few minutes with an electric or foot pump makes them ready to go. Very easy to maneuver, they allow exploration, races, all sorts of possibilities – all great exercise.

In case you get pretty far away and get too tired, it is good to bring your cell phone or a radio. Put them in a zip lock bag and attach them to the kayak. Many kayaks have a waterproof case just for that purpose. Put on sunscreen and take water. Hot sun and exercise can cause dehydration. Do remember to wear a life preserver.

Maybe a kayak doesn’t appeal to you. What else is there? A paddleboard is popular these days. If you are unsure how much it would get used, it might be best not to get a new one until your crew tries it out for a while. Used ones can be bought with the best prices at the end of the season.

Huge water floats are fun, but do remember, the current can carry them away, and they are not life preservers. You don’t want a young kid drifting away and have the tube spring a leak. You can tie it to the boat or have the user wear a sports life preserver. If you are going to head for shore, take flip flops and watch for poison ivy.

Toys come in all sizes and price ranges.

For around $70. there is a u-shaped float with an added sling seat for under $200. There is the O’Brien Screamer, a two-rider tube with a nylon bladder covered with PVC and six handles with a hook for towing. West Marine carries the D-shape HO Sports Mavericks 4 Towable Tube for $320, as well as the Sportsstuff Poparazzi rocker bottom with a “high rise” tower to accommodate several riders. For around $400 Aquaglide makes the Airport Classic Raft, a seven or eight-foot inflated float used for a swim raft/lounge, to tie to the stern of your boat at anchor. It can be towed for a fun ride, or used to launch a water skier. There is even a WaterMat Doggy Mat, a 5-foot by 12-foot inflatable raft with extra tough layers that are claw proof, and only 10 inches high so you and your dog can climb in and out of the water and play. I wonder if people put a patch of grass on one end to accommodate the dog? The Dog Mat costs about $700.

There are inflatable water slides, floating rock wall climbing “icebergs” for many thousands of dollars. We’ll stick with the pool noodles and kayaks. Whatever you decide to use, make sure everyone is in a life preserver!