Company family day: a day on a boat in Paris with the families

A family day is a chance to show partners and children the company where their loved ones spend their days, with no open-plan office and no agenda. On the water, the setting lends itself to this naturally: an enclosed, secure space, an ever-changing landscape, and enough room for every generation to find its own pace.

Several of our articles already cover family outings and corporate events. This one takes a specific angle: the hour-by-hour running order of a family day on a privately chartered boat, with its activities, afternoon snack and safety rules, so that the day runs smoothly from the first guest to the last goodbye.

Why organise a family day on a boat in Paris

Unlike a park or a venue hired in the suburbs, a privately chartered boat brings families together in a single enclosed space that is easy to keep an eye on. Parents don't have to chase after their children, and partners, who often don't know each other, naturally end up around the same table or on the same deck.

The Seine also offers a backdrop that children remember: bridges, monuments, barges passing by. For the company, it is a tangible gesture of appreciation, more personal than an end-of-year gift. It builds cohesion differently from a seminar, as colleagues get to know each other from the family side, which makes working relationships easier afterwards.

Choosing the right boat for the size of your group

The first instinct should be to allow plenty of room: one employee in two often comes with a partner and two children, which quickly multiplies the numbers. Count adults and children separately, as young children aren't seated in the same way as adults.

• Yacht (2 to 30 people): suited to a small team or a department, with an intimate atmosphere.
• Barge (40 to 250 people): the most common format for a whole company, with several areas to separate the dining corner, games and rest.
• Moored boat: handy if you want a stable base without sailing, for very young children or pushchairs.

If your group includes many toddlers, a boat with level access and space for pushchairs makes boarding simpler. Our team will help you check these points before you book.

A typical running order, from morning to afternoon snack

Here is an outline, to be adapted to your audience and the season. The timings are indicative.

• 10:30 – 11:00, welcome: staggered boarding, coffee and fruit juice, handing out wristbands or badges showing the family name and an emergency number for the organiser.
• 11:00 – 11:15, opening words: a short speech from management, followed by safety instructions adapted for children.
• 11:15 – 12:30, cruise and activities: commentary as you pass the major landmarks, with children's workshops running in parallel.
• 12:30 – 14:00, lunch: buffet or trays, with a children's menu and options for allergies and dietary requirements.
• 14:00 – 15:30, free time and games: treasure hunt, quiz, colouring, or simply a rest for the youngest.
• 15:30 – 16:30, afternoon snack: cakes, fruit, drinks, and the handing out of small keepsakes.
• 16:30 – 17:00, disembarkation: back to the quayside, group photo, families depart.

A day that runs beyond six hours tires children out. It is better to have a compact, busy format than an endless day where everyone ends up checking their watch. For families with babies, also provide a quiet corner for naps or bottle feeds.

Activities for children and for adults

The classic mistake is to think only of the children. A good family day offers something for everyone, with both shared and separate moments.

• For children: face painting, creative workshops, an on-board treasure hunt, story reading, board games. A dedicated host gives parents a chance to relax.
• For teenagers: a quiz about Paris, a photo challenge, a short-video contest, all more appealing than a colouring workshop.
• For adults: tasting, background music, conversations on deck, time for partners to meet.
• For everyone: a team game mixing employees, partners and children, creating shared memories without aggressive competition.

Avoid games that put an employee on the spot or leave them struggling in front of their family. The aim is a light-hearted occasion, not a performance test.

Snack, meals and safety: the points not to overlook

On the catering side, ask from the outset for the list of allergies and dietary requirements for each family. A child-height buffet, suitable portions and water always available prevent a lot of tension. For the afternoon snack, opt for simple, easily recognisable products, with a label showing the main allergens.

On safety, a few rules are essential:

• a clear welcome briefing, repeated at boarding, on the areas children may and may not access;
• one responsible adult per group of children, appointed in advance, so that no one is left unsupervised near the edges;
• a crew on board who know children will be present, and an assembly point known to everyone;
• life jackets, to be checked with the boat owner according to the children's ages and the type of boat.

Also let parents know the practical arrangements: access to the quayside, departure quay, clothing suited to the weather, and whether pushchairs can be left. A clear message a week before the date cuts down on last-minute questions.

Preparing the communication and the follow-up

Send the invitation early, with the programme, the timings and a simple way to confirm the number of adults and children. Ask for the children's ages: this guides the choice of activities and menu.

After the day, share the photos taken on board, with the families' consent, along with a short thank-you note. It is this follow-up that keeps the event alive and makes people want to repeat it the following year. A successful family day quickly becomes an eagerly awaited fixture in the company calendar.