Kayaking as a family is fun, interesting, and a great way to get exercise outside. However, with children along for the ride, it can be hard to know how many people you can put in each kayak.
Most kayaks are designed for 1 or 2 people and have molded seats that won’t allow additional passengers. However, you can easily fit 3 or 4 people in open inflatable kayaks and canoes. Kids often don’t mind sitting on the floor or makeshift seats, and this can allow children to paddle with their parents before they are old enough to handle their own kayak.
We have had success paddling as a family with children and teens, and you can too. It’s not hard to get started, but there are some things you need to know.
Kayaking as a Family
Kayaking as a family is fun, rewarding, and educational. However, responsible parents should educate themselves before starting any new outdoor adventure. Learning how to keep your children safe and how to have fun while kayaking is easy but important.
First, it’s important to focus on safety. Knowledge is your friend and you should learn everything you can about how to stay safe while kayaking or canoeing. Second, learn about the different kinds of kayaks and paddle crafts that are available and which ones are best for your family. Finally, take the time to get to know your kayaks and practice your skills near the shore or in shallow water.
How to Choose a Good Kayak or Canoe for Children To Share
One of the common questions asked by parents is about where their children can sit in a kayak.
Older children can sit in regular kayak seats and help paddle. Small children who can’t paddle can sit on their parent’s lap or on the floor. Canoes or open kayaks are ideal for small children, while molded kayaks don’t work as well for very young children if there is nowhere for them to sit comfortably.
When choosing a kayak for your children, their ages, and abilities will determine your needs, and where you plan to paddle. Children who are very young will have different needs from older children and teens who are developing paddling skills. For this article, I will assume that families with children be kayaking in flat water lakes and rivers or protected bays, so we won’t discuss advanced options like sea or white-water kayaks.
We prefer open options such as inflatable kayaks or canoes for young children such as toddlers and preschoolers. Open canoes allow toddlers to sit on the floor or stand at the side of the boat is deep enough. Open kayaks also allow them to sit on the floor, although they might be more cramped. We enjoyed using open inflatable kayaks for our young children because the floors were soft and comfortable and allowed them to wiggle a bit. Some double kayaks are also suitable for young children as long as they can be paddled by one passenger.
For older children, your options are expanded because once they are old enough to occupy a designated kayak seat and help paddle, you can use nearly any 2-person kayak successfully. For most beginners or casual users, a recreational sit-on-top double kayak is the best family option. these kayaks are easy to get in and out of, they are relatively easy to maneuver, and are perfect for flat water, gentle conditions that are safe for children. These kayaks are also relatively inexpensive to purchase and can be found easily in local sporting goods stores and department stores like Walmart or Amazon. Again, inflatable or foldable options are good choices if you don’t have transportation or storage space for large hard-bodied kayaks.
How to Choose Good Paddling Locations
Choosing a good paddling location is key to having an enjoyable, safe, and rewarding paddle. With children, it’s best to stick with flat water locations until they are older and more experienced. Calm rivers, lakes, and sheltered ocean bays are all good options for kayaking with children or beginners. These areas are not likely to develop strong currents or have any whitewater that could tip the paddle craft. Once they have more experience, older children and adults can start learning how to paddle in other areas like faster rivers and less protected lakes and ocean bays.
Rivers
Slow-moving rivers with no rapids or white-water areas are good options for young children. Slow rivers can be more interesting than lakes because you are actually going somewhere. Plus if your paddlers get tired, they can rest and let the river do the work! Most of these rivers will have areas downstream where you can take out your kayak so you won’t have to paddle back. Unfortunately, it can be hard to find slow-moving rivers in many areas.
Lakes
Flat, sheltered lakes are also good choices for paddling with beginners. Many of these lakes will be small enough that you can paddle all the way around the bank. There are usually many interesting things to see along the banks of lakes. Cypress swamps, mangroves, northern marshes, and mountain lakes are some of the most beautiful and interesting places to paddle. Remember that many lakes, even small lakes, are very deep and sometimes they develop currents. Large lakes are often less safe unless you can find a sheltered bay. Everyone should always wear a life jacket and make sure that the weather won’t be windy on the day of your excursion.
Bays
Protected, calm ocean bays and inlets can also be safe places to paddle with children and beginners. While bays can be a bit riskier than inland waters, there are many shallow, calm bays that don’t experience strong currents or tides. Make sure that you know the area and understand the water in the bay you have chosen. Some seemingly-calm bays can turn into rushing streams when the tide changes, while others can leave you stranded on mud flats. If you are unsure, talk to a ranger or local expert before venturing into the bay.
Paddling With Young Children
You can paddle safely with young children, toddlers, and even babies if some precautions are taken. Here are some tips:
- If you are a beginner, you should learn how to paddle well before you bring your child along.
- Every child and adult should always wear a coast guard-certified life jacket at all times. (No matter how good of a swimmer you are.)
- Choose safe places to paddle in.
- Bring safety supplies and water.
- Pack sunscreen, sunhats, sunglasses, and bug spray for everyone.
- Check the weather and conditions for the day.
When paddling with young children, it’s important to be prepared. Make sure that you understand the area you are traveling to, its currents and weather patterns, and what amenities are available. Bring extra water, snacks, and small toys for entertainment. And, of course, keep your baby and toddler in a life jacket at all times.
Help your toddler or young child sit comfortably in a kayak. Bring an inflatable pillow or a small seat for them. If they prefer to sit on the floor, that’s fine. However, remember that many kayak floors end up very wet or even have standing water in them part of the time. Your child might enjoy this in warm weather if they are dressed appropriately, but you might want to bring a way for them to sit up higher as well. If you have a baby or toddler that might need to sleep, think about how they can lay down or nap while they are riding.
Before setting out on a longer paddling excursion, consider taking a few trial runs on small lakes or staying near the boat ramp on your first few trips. If your child ends up being very uncomfortable, fearful, or hates the experience, you will be able to get back out of the water faster and easier than if you started with a long paddling trip. Once you have all gotten used to the kayak, each other, and the experience, you can try longer adventures.
Paddling With Older Children and Teens
Paddling with older children can be easier than paddling with very young ones, as long as your children are willing to work hard and listen carefully to your instructions. When paddling with beginners, it is often easiest to start with double kayaks. This allows them to learn paddling maneuvers and build their strength without being solely responsible for their craft.
If your child prefers to learn on their own or once you are ready for them to branch out, buy a single kayak that is small enough for them to easily maneuver. Practice paddling in an area that is safe and calm, such as a protected bay or near a shallow swimming area. Windy, cold, conditions or areas with currents aren’t good places to go for your kids’ first solo paddles.
We preferred to help our kids learn paddling skills while we were swimming at a calm lake or bay. When kids are already wet or have been swimming in the same area, it helps reduce their nervousness about being tipped out of their kayak and helps them focus on paddling techniques. In this way, they can safely practice turning the kayak, going quickly and slowly, and backing up. They should also practice tipping themselves out of their kayak so they can get a feel for how stable the craft is. Once they are in the water, teach them to turn the kayak back over and learn how to get back on- this is much harder than it looks, but a vital skill every paddler should understand.
Focusing on Water and Wilderness Safety
Don’t underestimate the importance of water and wilderness safety. While accidents that need emergency help are rare, mild problems can become life-threatening in wilderness situations. Make sure you are prepared, both physically and mentally.
Most importantly, anytime you are going out into the wilderness on hikes, paddling, or any other adventure, make sure to tell someone where you are going and when you will be back. Once you have left, don’t deviate from your plans without letting your person know.
Also don’t ever go paddling or boating without having lifejackets on everyone. Even excellent swimmers should wear life jackets while paddling. Accidents such as sudden cold water immersion or injuries can make swimming difficult. This is especially true if there are children involved- it is very difficult to rescue other people from deep water. Having your own life jacket can allow you to focus on helping others in an emergency.
Learn basic first aid and how to handle emergencies. Make sure that you can navigate, even if you get thrown off-course because of unexpected weather or mistakes. If you’re unsure about your abilities, stick to populated areas or travel with other people. Waterways, especially complex areas such as mangrove swamps, rivers, and lakes with many inlets, can become very confusing once you are in them.
Make sure to check the weather before choosing a location and time to do kayaking or canoeing. Even when you are paddling in flat water, windy or cold weather can be dangerous. Wind can make it hard to control a kayak and can push you across lakes, especially on large, open lakes. Cold water can be dangerous at any time of the year as it can quickly bring shock, confusion, and hypothermia. If the water is cold, stay home or wear wet suits. Here is more information about how to stay safe while kayaking with kids.
What You Should Bring When you are Kayaking With Kids
No matter what ages you are paddling with, there are some things that you should always bring along. Safety and first aid supplies should be located in the kayak on longer trips. You should always bring extra water on every kayaking trip, just in case of emergencies. Snacks are a good idea, especially with children along. Not only are you all likely to get hungry while paddling, but snacks are also a good way to ease boredom and grumpiness in toddlers and preschoolers.
You should all dress in layers for any outdoor trip. Expect to get wet and chilly, even in warm weather, and bring a change of clothes to keep in your vehicle. If your kids hate wet socks, allow them to go barefoot or in sandals. Bring sweaters in case you get chilly, and keep them in a waterproof backpack with your other supplies.
It’s a good idea to bring a phone with you in case of emergencies. Even if you don’t have cell service, emergency services can often ping your phone for GPS coordinates if needed. Keep your phone in a safe place such as a waterproof bag around your neck or in a waterproof pack that is tied to your craft.
Final Thoughts
Paddling, whether in a kayak or a canoe or even on stand-up paddleboards, is a great family activity if done correctly. Paddling is a good way to get out into nature and explore waters that you normally might not be able to experience. It allows you to venture into the wilderness safely with children without worrying about them getting tired out and gives you the chance to spot wildlife, including marine animals, that you otherwise might not see. Kayaking with children can be fun and relaxing if you and your family take some time to prepare, learn how to paddle safely, and plan ahead. Get out there and explore!