Our Best Content on Kayaking with Children
Kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding with your children is the very best way to introduce them to the wonderful world of paddling. When they get to experience it themselves as they grow up, they’re well on their way to a lifetime of paddling adventures.
We’ve collected our best content about paddling for families with young children, whether it’s kayaking, SUPing (stand-up paddle boarding) or canoeing. The particular boat doesn’t matter nearly as much as simply getting them out there.
When they’re in nature and on the water with you, it’s not just good ol’ healthy fun, it’s a great way for families to spend time together.
Whether you’re new at these paddle sports or ready to take it to the next level, here’s some great advice:
Why Paddling is Great for the Whole Family
This blog post shares why we think kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding are some of the best activities you can do with your whole family. Let’s start with this: it gets them off screens and into the great outdoors!
No matter what age your kids are you can paddle with them. If you don’t have your own equipment, there are plenty of places that rent. Paddle sports is such a great way for everyone in the family to stay healthy and have fun together.
Read “Why Kayaking, Canoeing and SUP are Great for the Whole Family”
Paddling Advice from Dads
Since moms and dads are the foremost experts on their own kids, we asked a couple of paddling dads how they’ve introduced paddling adventures to their very young children. You’ll love their tips from instilling a love for the environment to appreciating the wonders of the natural world to finding paddle adventures close to home.
Read “Paddling with Young Children: These Dads Weigh In on Why and How”
Paddling Advice from a Kayaking Mom
Celeste and her family started kayaking locally together during her country’s lockdown of 2020. They found it an ideal way to get outside and be active for a few hours, even in their mostly-urban area.
She offers several great tips to make it easier for the whole family to get on the water together. These include always (always!) bringing snacks and water, giving each family member their own dry bag, and ways to keep it relaxed and fun.
Read the rest of her advice and how they got started in “One Ontario Family’s Kayaking Adventures”
Paddling with Young Children
This blog post features three short videos from our friends at Paddle TV about kayaking and canoeing with your young children. They offer some helpful tips including:
- How to keep your kids from getting bored
- Games you can play on the water and on shore
- Where in the boat to put your youngsters
- What to do if you should flip while you’re paddling and other important safety tips
Get all the details and watch the videos at “How to Paddle with Young Children”
Life Jacket Safety for Children
We always keep safety top-of-mind with our children, and boating safety is no exception. Paddling safety begins with each child having a properly-fitting PFD, or life jacket. Inexpensive kid-size PFDs are readily available and should be worn at all times when you’re on the water.
Read more and watch a couple videos at “Kayaking with Kids: Life Jacket Safety”
Get Your Kids Started Kayaking, Canoeing and Paddle Boarding
Kids as young as four can start to help paddle in a tandem kayak or canoe. And kids as young as five or six can begin to paddle their own kayak. Here we team up with our Paddle TV friends again to bring you three videos on when and how to start your kids in a kayak, canoe or paddle board themselves. Get them started on a lifetime of paddling adventures!
Read “When to Teach Kids to Kayak & Paddleboard”
Teach Your Children to Stand-Up Paddleboard
Although this blog post focuses on paddle boarding, the same tips apply to introducing your child to kayaking, canoeing or packrafting, too. Two of the five tips include being sure your child is already comfortable being around water (and preferably in water), and using child-size equipment.
Read more tips in “5 Keys When Introducing Your Children to Stand-Up Paddleboarding”
Gift Ideas for Kayaking Kids
Now that your kids are loving the world of kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding we have some gift ideas they’ll get excited about. Some of these ideas are necessities (like PFDs) and others are just plain fun (like the Kayaking Log Book for Kids). These ideas will work for all ages, from tots to teens.
Read “Need Gift Ideas for Your Kayaking Kids? Here are 13”
These Teens Conquered the Mississippi River by Kayak
Speaking of teens, here’s a story that may inspire you and your paddling children…Two Minnesota teen boys were the youngest ever to kayak the entire Mississippi River from is source in northern Minnesota to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. They accomplished their goal in 51 days while raising several thousand dollars for a non-profit organization they wanted to support.
One moral of this story? Don’t underestimate what our kids can accomplish in a kayak!
Read about it at “2 Minnesota Teens Kayak the Mississippi River”
We hope these have given you even more inspiration to get your whole family out on the water. Happy paddling!
Do you have paddle questions our friendly Customer Service Team can help you with today? Connect with them: 715-755-3405 • [email protected]
More for you...