From experience, I know that having kids onboard a superyacht can be challenging as a yacht stewardess, especially when you are expected to entertain them safely and uniquely.

To support you on this task, I have joined forces with former stew Super Yacht Nanny Ella Peters to share our 11 tried-and-tested onboard activities to keep kids entertained and happy during their time onboard. Let’s get started!

1. Arts and crafts- Perfect for while underway (especially as it keeps them in one place). Avoid glue, glitter, and paint, as things get messy quickly. In our experience, jewelry making is always a win, as the kids get to make gifts for their family members or the crew. Another activity that's always a favorite is building a little car or robot. 

2. Water sports- To impress the kids, stage your Total Wipeout tournament with inflatables like the Double Icecap or The Thor (a slide, diving platform, and obstacle course) by Aquaglide. Avoid kids asking for every water sport available by pitching them one toy at a time per water session. This way, they will experience the variety of sports/toys you have onboard without driving the deck crew crazy.

3. Treasure hunts- These are fun and teach kids how to communicate effectively, act responsibly in a team, and improve their problem-solving skills. Here is how to create them:

• Choose a location for your treasure hunt.

• Choose a theme and format for your kid's treasure hunt. A fave on yachts are Pirates.

• Plan your clues. The players need the clues to get from one spot to the next. Riddles are great for older players who need more challenging clues. In contrast, younger players may enjoy fun clues like rhymes. Treasure hunt clues for kids should be simple for non-readers; use pictures instead of words.

• Create your treasure. Choose a variety of prizes that relate to the theme of your treasure hunt. For a pirate theme, it can be gems, gold coins (edible), etc. Players may have food allergies, so keep them in mind if you're including snacks or treats, and keep it low on sugar if the parents are sugar-conscious. If doing a hunt with teams, remember that every child wants to be a winner, so have a selection of smaller prizes for runners-up or offer one big prize that a group can share.

• Decide where you will hide the treasure, then design your clues leading away from that place – planning hunts backward is easier. Consider writing yourself a cheat sheet of the locations so that you know where you've hidden all the clues.

• Do a final treasure hunt run-through. Before you start the hunt, double-check that all the clues (or activities) are where you left them and that they lead each other correctly. Make sure the search doesn't take too long – reduce the number of clues if you think this will happen.

• Send them on their treasure hunt. Gather the players and explain the rules. Make sure they know what's out of bounds. Split a larger group into teams and make sure there's an equal amount of skill in each team. For example, avoid placing all the fast kids or good readers in one team. Get the players in costume if you are doing a themed treasure hunt. Ensure you have adults on hand to keep everyone going in the right direction, work together, and cooperate. Cheer them on, but don't give away the answers.

• Click here to get your Ready-To-Play Pirate Scavenger Hunt Template by Superyacht Nanny.

4. Napkin Folding Workshop– Kids love learning new skills, and this is the ideal activity to engage kids between mealtimes when bored or stuck inside. Don't forget to teach them how to set the table too!

5. Mocktail-Making Workshops- Set up the bar with everything they need to create exciting, fun-colored mocktails. Use a recipe incorporating a range of steps (juice squeezing, shaking, ice crushing, etc.) to give them the whole experience. Click here to get our fave mocktails cheat sheet.

6. Cookie decorating- Set up a baking area with piping tools, icing, sprinkles, room-temperature cookies/cupcakes, cleaning supplies, etc. Dress the kids in chef hats and aprons and let them go wild with their designs. This activity is great for all ages.

7. Pizza making- Set up a pizza station with the dough and their favorite topping ingredients in bowls. Depending on the children's age, you can have them roll out the dough. Dress the kids in chef hats and aprons. Challenge them to the best pizza design – is it a face? A symmetrical pattern?

8. Chamois technician- This activity is popular among school-aged boys and girls who want to be 'big and cool' like the deck crew! Equip them with a chamois or mop and let them help the deck crew dry the boat. Don't forget to ensure the kids have sunscreen, a hat, and a rashguard.

9. Water Gun Games- Water fights are an absolute classic. One rule is no direct hit on the face. Tip: Give some water guns to the beach crew to sneak up on them to keep them on their toes! 

Capture the Flag and Bubble Shooting are also fun water gun games. Here’s how to play them.

• How to play Capture the Flag - Everyone in this game will have a water gun. Players are divided into two teams. Each team will have a flag to protect from the other team. The game aims to capture the other team's flag. To do this, players need to race towards the flag; however, if they get hit by the water gun, they need to freeze. To be unfrozen, another player from their team needs to crawl between their legs. The winning team either captures the other team's flag by freezing all their players or gets to the flag without being caught.

• How to play Bubble Shooting- This game is simple but fun. Grab some giant bubble wands and blow bubbles into the air. All players have a water gun and must shoot the bubbles with water to make them pop.

Play these games on the beach to ensure no one gets hurt while running and the water guns stay outside the vessel's interior.

10. Movie night- Bring out the popcorn, cozy blankets, pillows, and their favorite movie! Save this for the last day onboard or when they are stuck inside.

11. Water Olympic Games- This is great fun and involves all guests. It works best when guests are split into two teams, with a mix of ages and abilities on each team or guest vs crew. Make a child the team captain and have a variety of challenges within the game; these could be sea bob race, silly slide skills, blindfolded cup stacking (with a teammate giving direction), rope climbing, tug of war, etc. Have medals for the winning team to hand out at the awards ceremony.

We hope these fun kids' activities help you create unforgettable memories for the families onboard and keep the kids happy and entertained.

And before you go, don’t forget to grab our Free Yacht Stews’ Kids Provisioning Checklist to ensure you have everything in place to run a smooth family trip onboard a superyacht.

 If you'd like extra support regarding childcare onboard, check out the Ultimate Superyacht Stewardess Kid’s Charter Resource Pack from Superyacht Nanny Ella. Don’t forget to use code YACHTSMERM to receive 10% off!

Landing your first Chief Stew job is not difficult. It is simply a matter of getting real with yourself and shifting your mindset. Are you ready? Here are my top 5 tips on How to Land your first Chief Job!

1. Know the difference

You are likely considering jumping into a Chief Stew role because you're awesome at your job. But the crazy thing about your new position is that it’s not about you anymore. As a stewardess, your number one job is to accomplish tasks. Now, as a Chief Stew, your number one job is to help other people outstandingly accomplish tasks.

This shift is often difficult for first-time Chief Stews, but it’s crucial—your performance will be tied to your team's performance. This means that if your team fails, you fail. And if they succeed? You can take credit, but you have to share it with the rest of the team, or they won’t be willing to do an excellent job for you in the future.

2. Clarity

When you want to transition from 2nd to Chief Stew, having clarity is crucial. If you are not clear about why you want to make the jump, who will benefit from it, who will lose, and what exactly you are looking for in your next role - you end up feeling lost, and the transition becomes a challenge instead of exciting career progress.

To get clarity, answer the following:

Why do I want to transition into a Chief Stew role? Is this reason based on fear or abundance?
Example of a fear-based reason: I want to be a Chief Stew because I am tired of being told what to do. I want to make more money. I want to be in charge - period.

Example of abundant reasons: I want to have the opportunity to lead an interior team because I want to share and teach all the wisdom I have gained in my career. I want to inspire other stews to be their best selves at work and beyond. I want to support my team in ways that I was never supported. I want to lead a team to create exceptional one-of-a-kind vacations for our guests.

If I become a Chief Stew, who will benefit?
Think of all the ones (people, mindset, paradigms, organizations, etc.) who will benefit from having you as an interior leader. Write at least 10. Examples: The stews who want to learn from me. My confidence. The guests will experience unique holidays with my skills.

Who will lose if I step into a Chief Stew role?
Think of all the ones (people, mindset, paradigms, organizations, etc.) who will lose from you stepping into a Chief Stew role. Write at least 10. Examples: My current boat will lose me as part of their team. My mindset that I am not good enough will be lost.

What exactly are you looking for in your Chief Stew role?
Be as specific as you can - dream big! Think of the owners/guests you want to serve, the captain and crew you want to work with, the size and type of vessel, locations, salary, and benefits. Get as clear as much as possible.

When we want to start a new role, we tend to take whatever comes along, as long as it fits the main criteria (Chief Stew Job), but as you already know, this usually does not end well. I suggest that once you get clear on what it is you DO want, then make a list of the specifics that are non-negotiable and which ones are. For example, the itinerary may be negotiable, but working for x type of captain may be non-negotiable. This will help you narrow your search when looking for the perfect job and give precise instructions for the universe to deliver what you truly want.

3. Take Action

Now that you know why and what, it’s time to take action. Upgrade your CV and crew agencies’ profiles to resonate with your new focus. Let everyone who could help you land a job know what you are looking for and share your clarity with them. Get Excited!

4. Prepare for the Landing

In 16 years of my career as a Chief Stew, I have learned that those who don’t prepare are the ones that end up being “That Chief Stew.” Meaning the ones that the crew dislikes, the ones that scream at their team, the ones that show up daily from a place of fear, achieving disharmony and a toxic environment for all to work in. I am positive you have witnessed your fair share of this behavior in your career, and I am 100% sure you do not want to repeat this behavior in your career. You must prepare for your new Chief Stew role by creating an interior management system.

As a Chief Stew, you are:

• In charge of the goals of the interior department

• Inspiring and Training your team

• Helping other stews accomplish tasks in an outstanding way

• Maintaining coherency and flow among all departments

• Creating one-of-a-kind experiences for owners/guests

To be successful at all these duties, you need an interior management system that helps you make consistent, daily progress toward your goals—in this case, running a tight, smooth ship which translates to excelling at your job.

Over 14 years ago, I was standing in your shoes, feeling doubtful of myself and afraid of transitioning to a Chief Stew role, until I realized that to regain my confidence and jump into a Chief Stew position, I needed to create an interior management system. A system that would ensure my teams excel and succeed at their job. This is how the Mermaids Kick-Starter Bible was created.

The MKSB system provides you with the foundation, confidence, and knowledge to excel at your new Chief Stewardess role. These guidelines will save you time and energy, as there is no need to recreate them because they are digital and editable templates. Unlike lengthy stewardess books, this interior management system supplies you with clear-cut, tried, and tested guides/templates that you can use daily in a hectic season to keep you and your interior team on track. Cause we all know what happens when exhaustion sets in; we get sidetracked and unfocused. Merging your knowledge with these guidelines will create the perfect interior system for your team and vessel, whether private or charter.

The MKSB system includes over 90+ Templates and an exclusive VIP Members Area filled with workshops, masterclasses, and courses to support your career. Get your MKSB here!

Remember that the problem with not following a system is that you’re prone to engage more in ‘busywork’ because there won’t be any focus. By following a system, however, you have the ultimate clarity on what needs to happen now — daily, weekly, monthly — to make focused progress toward your team’s long-term goals. This focus will make you and your stewardesses incredibly productive and a Top-Notch team to have onboard. And in case you missed it, here is my insight on 6 Skills to Master before Jumping into a Chief Stew Role.

5. And finally…Feel Good!

Yes! You’ve got to feel good to manifest that which you want. Honestly, that is your only job, not a bad job, right? When we constantly worry about the ins and outs of how this new job could manifest, we feel drained, stressed, and to be honest, we are in constant fear. Feeling good means trusting that the Universe has your back and will provide you ALL YOU DESIRE.

I invite you to repeat these beautiful words from Gabby Bernstein daily:

There is an ever-present loving energy within me and around me, supporting me every step of the way.

I choose to tune in to that energy now.

Feeling good attunes me with that energy.

It’s good to feel good.

It’s good to feel good.

I am worthy of feeling good.

I trust that everything is working out for me

I attune my energy with the stream of well-being

When I’m aligned with love, I am a Super Attractor.

My Super Attractor alignment puts my manifestations into motion.

I can do less and attract more.

I know that what is of the highest good is coming to me, and I let the Universe do for me what I cannot do for myself.

I relax, I allow, and I let the Universe reveal to me whatever is of the highest good for all.

I slow down and listen to the guidance that is available to me.

In stillness, I receive.

I let an inner sense of quiet multiply each day as I strengthen my faith in the love of the Universe.

I am a Super Attractor.

I focus on the good in my life and appreciate all that is.

I am a Super Attractor.

When I surrender my desires to the care of the Universe, a mighty force of faith can set in.

I do nothing and let the Universe do for me what I cannot do for myself.

I keep dreaming even when I can’t see the results.

I am a Super Attractor.

I am a Super Attractor.

The Universe has big plans for me, and it’s time to claim them now.

I accept that good things come easily.

I’m in awe of the magnificent guidance that’s available to me,

I am a Super Attractor.

I am a Super Attractor.

I am a Super Attractor.

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