Just because autumn is upon us doesn't mean boating has to end. For instance, many people in the Northeast go out straight through November. Of course, boaters in the southern states can boat almost all year.
Since boaters never need an excuse to have fun, follow these ideas to incorporate a happy Halloween into your plans at the dock and out on the water.
Fall Boating: 6 Reasons to Keep Boating into Autumn
How to Celebrate Halloween on a Boat
1. Choose a Nautical Halloween Costume
Talk to your family, friends, or even your local marina manager about having a costume contest. Channel your inner Calico Jack and Anne Bonny, and practice your best "Argh!" and "Walk the plank!"
Need some inspiration? Check out 9 Nautical Halloween Costume Ideas for Boaters.
2. Deck Out Your Deck
The same decorations adorning your yard work perfectly on your boat—especially the giant cobwebs, hanging skeletons and ghosts, jiggly spiders, and rats. Don't forget lights or carved pumpkins, either.
3. Organize a Spooky Scavenger Hunt
Hide tricks and treats throughout your boat for your kids to find. Gummy spiders, marshmallow ghosts, and glow sticks are some things they'll surely want to seek.
Yet another idea: bobbing for apples, where they get to pick a ghoulishly good prize if they get the most fruit.
4. Cruise for Haunted Houses
Not literally—but with so many people decorating their homes to the nines, a cruise in your local area should reveal some wildly creative results.
You can even turn it into a contest, splitting your family between port and starboard. Whoever counts the most homes gets a prize.
5. Create Devilishly Good Drinks
From Boo-Berry Banana Smoothies to Green Goblin Punch (hint: use lime sherbet), you can come up with all sorts of easy-to-make drinks onboard to celebrate a happy Halloween.
Bring the kids into the galley and involve them in creating flavor combinations and funny names, too.
6. Make Some Music
What's Halloween without some appropriately themed music? Be sure to add these tracks to your Halloween boat playlist:
- "Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett
- "Thriller" by Michael Jackson
- "Dead Man's Party" by Oingo Boingo
- "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon
- "Disturbia" by Rihanna
- "This is Halloween" by Michel Elias (from The Nightmare Before Christmas)
- "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder
- "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr.
- "She Wolf" by Shakira
- "Vampire" by Olivia Rodrigo
The list goes on! Remember to play these songs while you cruise on Halloween.
7. Share Your Favorite Nautical Superstitions
There's nothing like listening to a creepy ghost story to bring out the goosebumps and get your heart racing. Put a nautical-twist on your spooky tales, and swap stories about your favorite sailing and boating superstitions.
10 Best Boating & Sailing Superstitions
8. Pack Spooky Snacks
As you gear up for a spooktacular day on the water, be sure to pack some Halloween-themed snacks to elevate everyone's festive spirits. Crafting the ideal snack assortment for your Halloween boat voyage could encompass ghostly marshmallow treats and pumpkin-shaped cookies. These delectable boat-friendly goodies are a breeze to prepare. And, of course, no Halloween adventure is complete without a stash of Halloween candy!
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