Tips for Kayaking & Canoeing with Kids

There are many considerations before you go out for an adventure on the water with children. Below are some of our best tips and advice so you and your kids can have a successful kayaking or canoeing trip:

• Ensure everyone is wearing a properly fitted life jacket (PFD)
• Start in calm water and gradually work your way up to more challenging conditions
• Always be patient and encouraging.
• Make sure kids have plenty of protection from the sun.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks.
• Be aware of the water and weather conditions.
• Be prepared to turn back if conditions become uncomfortable or potentially dangerous.
• Have fun!

Preparing for Your Trip

The key to having a fun trip is to prepare in advance. You’ll want to make sure that you do plenty of prep and keep a list handy with you. Following this section will help you properly prepare for a kayaking and canoeing trip with kids. 

Setting Expectations for Your Trip

Set clear expectations about and on your trip. Engage with them and lay out what they can expect when going. As you’re explaining, don't forget to assure them that this will be a fun adventure. 

When kids don’t understand what they’re doing or if things don’t go the way they want, it may be hard to manage their feelings or behavior on the water. They are more likely to go with the flow when they know what to expect. 

Teaching Your Children Paddling and Getting Them Excited

Preparing your kids for kayaking or canoeing before the trip can be essential for their confidence on the water. Instead of feeling overwhelmed with preparations, make it an exciting experience for them by incorporating the following steps:

Familiarize Them with Paddling 

Prior to the trip, take your kayak or canoe to a lawn or a grassy area, such as a public park. This setting allows your kids to get comfortable with the activity of paddling. Have them sit in the kayak or canoe and practice different paddling techniques and water scenarios, including safety protocols.

Instill Enthusiasm

Your excitement about the upcoming trip will rub off on your kids, so remain enthusiastic and positive throughout the preparations. This positive energy will help build their anticipation for the adventure.

Visit Outdoor Gear Stores 

Visit outdoor gear stores that sell kayaks and canoes. This experience not only gets them familiar with the equipment but also adds to their excitement by letting them browse through different gear and imagine themselves on the water.

Observe Other Paddlers

Watching other people kayak or canoe on a nearby body of water, like a lake, river, or bay, can spark excitement and curiosity in your kids. Seeing others enjoy paddling can motivate them further.

Watch Fun and Instructional Videos

Gather some engaging kayaking and canoeing videos that showcase the thrill and joy of paddling. Watching these videos together can be an entertaining way to get your kids excited and eager to try it out themselves.

Your First Kayaking or Canoeing Trip

A calm lake or pond is ideal for your first outing with your child. If possible, choose a location that you’re familiar with; focusing on your kid is enough, you don’t need the added stress of navigating an unfamiliar place. 

Consider the maturity, strength, and interest in paddling of your child and choose a manageable route accordingly. A one-way, downstream paddle is another great option because it involves less paddling. Go early in the morning to avoid congested boat traffic and nap time, if applicable.

You know your youngster best. Go slow, relax, and keep the trip short. Sing songs together and focus on making the trip fun, even if things don’t go according to plan. Take breaks on shore for lunch, to go swimming, skip rocks, and for bathroom breaks. Encourage and praise your child. Don’t be critical and don’t over instruct. 

If kids are too young to paddle, task them with spotting certain wildlife or other features. Teach older children about navigating and reading the water, and give them tasks like helping with loading and unloading, steering, etc. 

Packing List for Paddling with Kids

Having the right gear goes along with preparing in advance and will help you have a successful paddling trip once you’re on the water. Gear items include:

• Properly fitting and sized life jacket (PFD)
• Appropriate clothing
• Water shoes or appropriate footwear
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• First-aid kit
• Hats
• Sunglasses
• Kid-sized paddle 
• Kid-sized kayak or canoe (if they’re not sharing a tandem kayak or canoe with you) 
• Lines, cords, and floats
• Plenty of food and drinks

Properly Sized Paddle

Picking the right paddle can be hard for adult kayakers, let alone kids who have much shorter limbs and lack arm strength. 

The most important aspect is that the paddle should be properly sized for their grip and weight. 

Take a look at our guide, How to Choose a Kayak Paddle, or visit a store near you. Old Town carries kid's paddles that are lightweight and made specifically for smaller hands and shorter limbs.

Life Jackets (PFDs)

The number one essential gear to take along, as previously mentioned, is a properly fitting kids’ life jacket. Here’s how to decide what kind of life jacket your kid should wear:

• Kids’ life jackets go by weight, not by chest size. There are PFDs for infants, children, and youth (youth life jackets are  for older kids who weigh up to 90 pounds).
• Small children will need a PFD with a crotch strap, a grab handle (in case they fall out of the kayak), and padded head support that will keep a child’s head above the water. 
• Youth-sized life jackets generally have the same type of features as an adult’s and look alike. 
• Remember, the more straps a life jacket has, the more adjustments that can be made for sizing. Use this in conjunction with who you are buying for (infant, kid, and youth). 

Cords and Straps for Gear

Kids are prone to drop things overboard, the most obvious being the paddle. Bring cords, straps, carabiner clips, and whatever else it takes to make sure dropped items can be safely and easily retrieved.

One important point. Straps, cords, etc. are for gear only. Do not strap your child in your kayak or canoe.

Sun Protection

Kids can have sensitive skin so be sure to bring sunscreen to keep them safe from sun and UV exposure.

Another essential sun protection item is a UV protectant long sleeve, ideally with a hood. These can come in handy, even in the hot summer or if you get off the water late and it is colder. The hood can go over a hat and will protect your youngster's neck while the sleeves protect their arms.

Bring comfortable hats and polarized sunglasses. The polarization cuts down glare and reflection from the water. It will also let your kid look through the water and maybe spot some fish!

Pro tip: Use sunglass retainer cords to avoid sunglasses falling in the water. It's happened to the best of us.

Food, Snacks, and Drinks

Don’t get caught out on the lake with a hungry or thirsty kid. The more snacks, juice boxes, and bottled water the better. 

Bring a small cooler if you have room so everything stays cold and refreshing.

Kid-Friendly Kayaks and Canoes

Let's discuss the different types of kid-friendly kayaks and canoes, as well as factors to consider when choosing one.

Tandem Kayak with Kids

A tandem kayak will fit two people. Some tandem kayaks can fit two people and a child. This is ideal when you are a beginner or with a child who isn't ready to paddle on their own. 

When you tandem kayak, it’s much easier to help teach them kayaking skills. They can mimic what you are doing while you explain what and why you are doing something. Tandem kayaks keep you in control of the kayak instead of a free-for-all when they’re on their own. Plus, you will always be close to them.  

Canoes with Kids

Canoes are excellent for families; they are stable and have plenty of room for kids and gear. 

In a regular two-person canoe, like the Discovery 133 and Penobscot 164, toddlers can sit or stand between the legs of the adult in the bow or stern, or you can add a small chair in the center. 

Old Town’s Saranac model comes in 14’6” or 16’ and features an additional center bench seat, so two adults can paddle while a youngster rides in the center.

Usually, once kids are around 10 years old, they can paddle in the bow.

Solo Kayak for Kids

If and when kids are confident, experienced, and old enough to paddle on their own they may want the freedom of a solo kayak.

It's best to start them out solo on stillwater like a lake or pond where they won't be competing with currents. 

Old Town offers a variety of sit-on-top kayaks that are easy to get in or out of, like the Banzai 9.5 (which comes in two different fun colors for your kid). Traditional sit-inside kayaks have a sunken seat for kayakers and may not be ideal unless the kid is much more experienced. Once they get to that point, then the sit-inside Heron Junior is nimble and maneuverable for a child’s smaller size. 

If your kid really starts enjoying the sport then a solo kayak would be a perfect birthday or holiday gift. 

Where to Go Kayaking and Canoeing with Kids

The best place to go kayaking or canoeing with kids is a calm body of water that you are familiar with or have experience paddling on. 

If you are unsure about places to take your kids paddling, research online or ask a local store that sells or rents kayaks and canoes.

Wherever you decide to go, make sure to study tides, currents, weather conditions, watercraft traffic, and any other aspect relevant to that body of water.
 
Here are some considerations:

• Calm water with minimal current is ideal for beginners and kids
• Lakes and ponds are ideal, but you’ll need to make sure that they are not crowded and that the water is generally calm.
• Rivers with swift currents are not advised
• Choose an area with a variety of views
• Experienced paddlers or outdoor stores will know where to start

Kayaking and Canoeing with Kids FAQs

Common questions regarding kids' kayaking and canoeing include:

What age can kids start kayaking or canoeing?

The true answer to this is “it depends” on skill level. Age is certainly a factor, but at a certain point, experience and comfort with kayaking is a more important concern.
Many recommend that kids start kayaking or canoeing around age 5 or 6. At this age, they are usually big enough to sit in a kayak or canoe without help and have the coordination to paddle.

How do you know if your kid is ready to go kayaking?

This is subjective, but your kid is ready to go kayaking when they have a solid grasp of safety protocols, can paddle appropriately, and can hold their own in a lake or similarly calm body of water.

What kind of kayak or canoe is best for kids?

There are many different types of kayaks and canoes on the market, so it's important to choose one that is the right size and weight for your kid. Make sure that the kayak or canoe is stable and easy to paddle.

What safety gear do kids need for kayaking or canoeing?

Kids should always wear a life jacket (PFD) when kayaking or canoeing. They should also wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect themselves from the sun.

Where can kids go kayaking or canoeing?

There are many places where kids can go kayaking or canoeing. Some good options include ponds, calm lakes, calm bays, and slow rivers.