Taking the whole family kayaking is more fun than you can imagine. But how do you keep it fun for the younger kids who might not be able to keep up?  Here’s what I have done for my children.

How to Keep Kayaking Fun for Kids

• depending on age, kayak type will play a big role in the overall experience. Sit on top kayaks are best for kids up to around age 10.
• proper paddle size plays the biggest role in eliminating rowing fatigue. If you are unsure about the proper length, ask the sporting good store employee.
• take frequent breaks along the route to rest. Point out the scenery and enjoy a conversation.
• bring along their favorite snacks to enjoy on the float and take their mind off the paddling.
• watch the water currents and keep your kids on the slower moving areas to reduce fatigue.
• make sure they have proper clothing to be comfortable and safe.
• use insect repellent sunblock lotion to protect from both bug bites and sunburn.
• make sure their life jacket is snug but comfortable.
• bring along a friend of theirs to keep spirits high
• take pictures throughout the trip
• bring along some rope to tow your little one if they get too tuckered out or need a break.
• reward a successful trip with a treat afterward, like ice cream.

I have six daughters and we love to go enjoy the outdoors. Especially here in southern Idaho where we have the gorgeous Snake River Gorge and Shoshone Falls. Last summer, as I blogged about already, is when we found the joy of kayaking. When we bought our first kayaks, we purchased four of them. Swifty Perception 9.5s were on sale at the local Dick’s Sporting Goods store. Then we bought a little sit-on-top kayak for our then eight-year-old.

Anyway, my three youngest daughters now are 9, 11 and 13. The 13-year-old can handle paddling and keep up with the rest of us adults. I had gone out with her solo in the past so I knew we were good there. But when we took our 9 and 11-year-old it was a little different story.

Knowing your limit is tough when your kids are new to kayaking. We “put in” at Centennial Park and paddle to Pillar Falls. Using Strava (my favorite kayaking app), I know that the distance from CP to PF is about two miles. A round trip of four miles makes for a good workout and takes us around three hours when it is just me and the wife.  On the first trip on this route, both girls (9 and 11) completed the journey. Our 9-year-old was in a sit-on-top kayak (SOT). But there were some struggles. The 11-year-old was in a Swifty like mom and dad.

The 11-year-old didn’t want to paddle for very long. She tired out very quickly. Either that or she just didn’t like doing it. Constant coaching to keep her going was needed. She also lagged behind the whole family. Be prepared to go very slow and take your time when kayaking with kids.

The 9-year-old kept a good pace but had difficulty near the falls. She had run out of steam right when the current was at the strongest… and it was headed towards us. At this point, no amount of coaching helped. I had to hook my rope from the back of my kayak to the front of hers and tow. Getting through those currents is tough enough without having to tow a kid. I got a terrific shoulder workout.

We only had our 9-year-old the second time we returned to complete this route. This time we let her use an adult Swifty in hopes it would be easier for her to navigate. This is when I learned we should have made her use her SOT kayak instead of paddling in a Swifty. Our mistake but we wanted to give her a chance. A forty-pound Swifty was too much for her to handle. The SOT was a lot more jerky when paddling but the lightweight means a lot less strain for the little ones. The SOT is closer to 15 pounds.

Again I had to tow her near the falls. The current was even stronger this time since they were releasing some water downstream. We have not returned with these two younger ones since. I’m waiting until they get a little bigger and can navigate themselves. An alternative would be to use a two-person kayak or canoe.

The standard paddle that comes with the SOT kayaks seemed to be good enough. The full-size adult paddles work perfectly with the Swiftys. At 6’3″ tall, I use an extended paddle and maximize my stroke length. Wifey noticed she struggled with the kids’ paddles when she grabbed the wrong paddle one trip. She never made that mistake again. Short paddles caused her to hit the sides of the kayak when she rowed. It took more energy to keep going as well.

If you are new to kayaking like us, just ask the sporting goods store employee to help you pick the right paddle. They should be more than knowledgeable.

When we did take our youngest, we stopped frequently to rest and talk. It served best to rejuvenate the kids but also allowed us to make small talk and “check-in” with our daughters. How’s school, who’s your best friend now and the like kept the kids focused on things other than their tired little arms.

This is where the snacks and drinks come in handy. Beef jerky and ice-cold water are the best treats on the water in my opinion. Costco sells a great natural smoked flavored jerky in sticks. I pick up two bags every time we go grocery shopping. Throw a bag of jerky in the dry bag and we’re set. Of course wifey brings other goodies as well like fruit snacks, cheese n crackers, and assorted nuts.

I only recommend bringing paddle buddies for your kids if they are in their teens. Otherwise, you’ll just have too many issues keeping the tribe moving forward. When we go with our 13-year-old, we enjoy taking her best friend. They can get to laughing and goofing off which lags them behind sometimes but it is worth the wait to see them having so much fun.

Take lots of pictures during the trip and enjoy reflecting on them when you are driving back home. I like to send one or two pictures to the BF’s parents to show them we are safe and having fun. We have even turned a few into framed pictures that now hang in the rooms of these teen buddies.

Just don’t forget the tow rope in case someone poops out on you. I have also tied on some water bottles and let them drag in the cold water behind my kayak during the colder season. Keeps the drinks nice and cold. Just make sure not to put the open bottle in the water in case of contamination. Wipe the bottles off well before drinking too.

You can also use the rope to tie each other together in a group. We like to do this near the Perrine bridge and drop an anchor. We float together as a group and watch base jumpers leap from the bridge while we snack on our favorite treats.

To seal the deal for the best kayak trip ever, end it with an ice cream social at the local parlor. If that becomes a ritual event, your kids will love going kayaking even more because they’ll know there’s a reward at the end of the road.

Conclusion

Kayaking is an outdoor activity that can easily be enjoyed by the whole family. As a parent, be prepared to do a little more work if your little one can’t keep up. But the memories you make out paddling together will last a lifetime.