Are you looking for the perfect kayak for your junior explorer?
Introduce your kids to the great outdoors with a kid-friendly kayak! We’ve got 7 stellar picks that are specially designed to fit smaller bodies and make sure kids have support, comfort, and safety when they’re out paddling. Plus, we offer budget-friendly options so you don’t have to break the bank!
With these kayaks, you can give your child an amazing outdoor experience while still being comfortable and secure out on the water. Whether they want to take on white-water rapids or paddle peacefully along a lake, there’s an ideal option here.
How We Selected These Products
It can be hard to find the best kayak for kids, especially if you're not an expert on the topic.
Not only is it hard to know which kayaks are good for kids, but there are so many different types of kayaks on the market that it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which one is right for you.
We've done all of the hard work for you and selected 7 of the best kayaks for kids based on safety, durability, features, and affordability.
What We Love About It
Get ready to set sail with your most trusted companion, the Bote kids kayak! This high-performance craft is perfect for taking little ones' adventure fun. Whether you’re sailing in a river or lake, the sustainable materials and design make for a reliable kayak formation.
The kayak comes with a convenient travel pack, making it easy to bring your kayak on vacation or camping trips. The lightweight fabric is water-resistant, which means no worry about the humidity levels of your watersports adventures.
Together with robust straps and reinforced base loops to secure the bag when loading and unloading over rough terrain, there’s no excuse not to take your little one out into nature in style!
Things To Know
The Bote kids kayak provides many benefits given its construction out of PVC. Its PVC body and frame ensure that the kayak is lightweight, practical, and highly durable; ensuring a high-quality product that will last through time and provide plenty of fun memories down the line.
But the most rewarding benefit of this kayak is its ease of setup. We all know how time-consuming and difficult it can be to set up activities such as assembling a kayak, but with this model, users can expect to spend only a fraction of the time needed due to the considerate design by Bote.
All in all, this kayak is an amazing choice for parents who want just a little more convenience when setting up their kid’s activities without sacrificing quality or performance.
What We Love About It
The Perception kayak for kids is the perfect way to get your young adventurer out on the water! Constructed from durable plastic, this kayak maximizes durability and stability so your child can enjoy safe and exciting excursions.
Plastic is one of the best materials for lightweight kayaks like ours – it’s tough enough to withstand any bumps and scrapes, without compromising on its performance in the water.
With its opposition resist construction meaning paddling efficiency, a clever schooner style hull that offers more stability, adjustable footrests so it can grow with your child, and scupper holes to quickly drain away any water splashes they might encounter while exploring.
Things To Know
The Perception kayak for kids comes with an adjustable seat with thick, ventilated padding, offering great benefits in terms of comfort and safety.
The adjustable seating can be set according to the individual measurements of your child while the thick padding ensures a comfortable seat without any sudden jerks or pressure points.
Ventilation helps keep the seat cool in hot environments, allowing your child to stay comfortable and focused on having fun. These benefits make this kayak an ideal choice for any child who loves spending time outdoors.
What We Love About It
The Perception kids kayak is the perfect way to introduce your youngster to the great outdoors! Its lightweight and durable design makes it easy to transport without taking up too much of your space.
This kayak also comes with a paddle - making it the perfect tool for exploring the rivers, lakes, and other nearby bodies of water. The paddle offers superior control and stability, allowing even young paddlers to get a handle on their technique.
Plus, its bright colors will have them excited every time they take it out for an adventure. Get ready for endless hours of fun in the sun with this fantastic Perception kids kayak!
Things To Know
The Perception kids kayak is perfect for younger paddlers — its small blades and handle diameter are specifically designed to make it easier for smaller hands to maneuver.
Not only does the size of the blade provide greater comfort for little ones, but it also decreases fatigue due to the reduced effort needed to keep up the momentum of their stroke.
Additionally, the small handle diameter allows children with more petite hands to stay in control more easily than if they had a larger grip. All in all, this kid's kayak benefits from a well-thought-out design that takes into account smaller proportions and reduces fatigue, making it an ideal choice for youngsters learning how to navigate a kayak.
What We Love About It
Introducing the fun and safe Pelican youth kayak! The perfect choice for your little adventurer, this kayak is made from sturdy and lightweight materials. Kids will love the bright colors and designs that make this a truly eye-catching boat.
This kid's kayak comes with a safety flag to ensure they stay safe while out on the water. This feature helps other boaters identify them and take precautions accordingly. It also increases visibility in low-light situations, so you can rest assured that your little one is clearly visible and protected. Plus, it’s much easier to spot a child with a giant red flag fluttering above their head than it is without!
No matter where your child goes, they will be confidently cruising around right in their own kayak. Whether exploring tidal pools or just playing around in the lake, the Pelican kids kayak guarantees many hours of outdoor fun and adventure!
Things To Know
Kayaking with children can be an exciting and thrilling experience. It is important, however, to make sure they are safe while doing so. The Pelican Kids Kayak is the perfect solution!
Its maximum weight capacity of 100 lb provides peace of mind for parents that their child is utilizing quality and durable kayaks. Furthermore, if there happens to be any water entering inside the kayak, its scupper holes at the bottom are able to effortlessly drain it out without a hassle; giving even more assurance to parents that their child is having fun yet remaining safe during the process.
What We Love About It
Introducing the Oru kayak for kids—the portable and lightweight kayak designed for little adventurers! Kids can take this innovative craft out to sea, lakes, or rivers to enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience.
This magical kayak is crafted using durable and lightweight polypropylene material that is strong enough to support little paddlers during their adventures. It is also highly resistant to impact, wear, cold temperatures, corrosion, moisture, and other deteriorating factors that may affect its performance.
Polypropylene has another unique advantage clients will love: it doesn’t require maintenance or upkeep as other materials do! With its great durability, your kids can explore farther than ever before knowing that their trusty kayak isn’t going to let them down.
Things To Know
The Oru kayak - designed specifically for children – benefits greatly from its 20,000-fold rating. Instead of having to maneuver bulky gear each time they go out, parents and kids can quickly assemble the kayak and be off on the water in no time.
And just in case something doesn’t quite meet expectations, this confidence-inspiring product comes with a 1-month money refund guarantee. This makes it the perfect choice for kids who need assurance that their outdoor adventure will turn out exactly as planned.
What We Love About It
Bring the outdoors right into your backyard with the Goplus kayak for kids! Perfect to share those special moments with your loved ones, this kayak is a delight for both grown-ups and kids alike.
The best part about this kayak? It comes with a folding backrest! This feature makes it easy – and much more convenient - for families to store and transport this amazing toy.
Imagine not having to take out the extra time and effort to assemble different parts of the kayak separately before you can use it. All you need to do is remove it from storage and start splashing around in no time! Talk about a perfect summer experience!
Moreover, its folding backrest allows for flexible seating positions, catering to all needs – be it reclining or relieving neck strain thanks to its adjustable support straps.
Things To Know
The Goplus kayak for kids is a great investment if you're looking to introduce your child to kayaking. It comes specially equipped with a front carrying handle, allowing for easier movement of the boat, as well as two rear casters which provide stability when rolling it on land.
Just like adult kayaks, this kayak also has a storage hatch located at the back of the boat giving you easy access to personal items stored inside such as snacks and drinks. All of these benefits make the Goplus kayak for kids a fantastic choice for any family who wants to get their little ones out on the water safely.
What We Love About It
Take the adventure to a whole new level with our Evrwild kids kayak! Whether your kids are exploring the backwaters of a placid lake or navigating rapids on a river expedition, this kayak is designed to deliver hours of fun.
The solid construction ensures it won't break after that first excitable paddle and offers plenty of stability in the water. Plus, this kayak comes with a handy cup holder—perfect for holding drinks and snacks while they’re out making memories.
With its bright, eye-catching design and dependable tracking ability, your little ones will be able to enjoy their time on the open water like never before! So purchase Evrwild kids kayak today and let them explore the great outdoors.
Things To Know
Do you want to adventure with your family without the worries of falling out of your kayak? With Evrwild kids kayak, you don’t have to worry! This amazing children’s kayak is perfect for exploring the outdoors. The kayak comes with all the features little adventurers need so they feel nice and secure while paddling.
The star feature of this wonderful product is its adjustable front storage compartment. Not only does it give kids a place to keep their essentials handy, but it also makes it easy to customize the storage capacity according to your needs – just tighten or loosen the tie-downs as necessary!
FAQs
Buying a kayak for your kid can be a daunting task. There are so many different types, sizes, and colors to choose from.
It's hard to know which kayak is the right one for your child. Do you get a sit-in or sit-on-top kayak? What size should you buy? Is it better to get a colorful kayak or one that is plainer?
We've got the answers to all of your questions in our FAQs about the different kayaks for kids. In this guide, we'll help you decide which type of kayak is best for your child, what size they will need, and whether they should go with a brightly colored boat or something more subdued.
What type of kayak is best for kids?
The best kayaks for kids are those that are stable and have a lot of buoyancy.
Kids' kayaks need to be stable because they are often wobbly, and they need to be buoyant because kids can be quite uncoordinated and tend to fall out of their boats more easily than adults. In addition, it's a good idea to look for kayaks that are lightweight and easy to maneuver, since kids will likely have trouble moving heavier boats around.
Some of the best kayaks for kids are the Perceptions kids kayak, Bote kids kayak, Pelican Kids kayak, Lifetime youth wave kayak, and Tandem kayak with swim-up deck.
Can you put a kid in a kayak?
Yes, a child can fit into a kayak, but it depends on the size of the kayak and the child. Children as young as 2 or 3 years old can fit into some kayaks, but they will likely need help getting in and out of the boat. It's also important to choose a kayak that is the right size for your child; if it's too big or too small, they may not be able to paddle efficiently and could get tired quickly.
Is kayaking safe for a 2-year-old?
Kayaking can be safe for a 2-year-old, but it depends on many factors including the kayak, the water conditions, and the experience of the kayaker.
Children can be taught how to kayak at a very young age if parents are experienced kayakers and are able to provide close supervision. However, if either of these is not the case, then it may be better to wait until the child is older.
At what age can a kid start kayaking?
It depends on the kid. Typically, kayaking is recommended for ages 10 and up. However, if a kid is athletic and has a good balance, they might be able to start kayaking at a younger age. Just make sure you always use proper safety gear and supervision when kayaking.
How much do kids' kayaks cost?
The price of kids' kayaks can vary greatly, depending on the type and size of the kayak. Generally, though, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $300 for a good quality kids' kayak.
Some factors that will affect the price include the material used to make the kayak (plastic or aluminum), the number of seats, and any extra features or accessories that are included. For example, a kids' kayak with an attached sunshade or storage compartment will be more expensive than one without.
Are inflatable kayaks better than plastic?
There are pros and cons to both inflatable and plastic kayaks. Inflatable kayaks are often lighter and easier to transport than their plastic counterparts, but they can be more prone to punctures. Plastic kayaks are typically more durable but can be heavier and more difficult to transport. Ultimately, the decision of which type of kayak to buy comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of the buyer.
How do I choose a beginner kayak?
When choosing your first junior kayak, it's important to decide what you'll primarily use the kayak for.
If you're interested in recreational kayaking, then a general-purpose model will do. For example, the sit-inside recreational kayaks are stable and versatile—perfect for beginners. They're also easy to maneuver and control on the water.
If you're looking to get into whitewater kayaking or river running, then you'll need a specific type of boat that can handle these types of conditions. Whitewater kayaks are designed with extra bracing and contouring to make them
Is an inflatable kayak safe for kids?
Yes. Inflatable kayaks are very safe for kids, and they are a great option because they are so easy to store and transport.
Inflatable kayaks are made of durable PVC or rubber that can withstand bumps and scrapes, and most kids kayaks come with a built-in safety flotation system that will keep your child afloat in the event of an accident. They are also very easy to set up - just inflate them with the included pump, and you're good to go!
What should you not do in a kayak with kids?
Some things that are not safe when kayaking with kids include:
- Getting too close to rapids or other hazardous waterways
- Towing kids on a tube or other flotation device
- Allowing kids to paddle around in whitewater rapids
- Permitting kids to stand up in the kayak
- Taking overcrowded boats out on the water
What are the three golden rules of kayaking?
The three golden rules of kayaking are:
1. Wear a life jacket
2. Check the weather and water conditions before heading out
3. Stay within your skill level (don’t attempt anything beyond what you can handle).
These rules are essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Do you put water in a kayak?
No, you do not put water in a kayak. Youth kayaks are made to be buoyant and stay afloat in the water even when empty. So unless you're looking to add extra weight for a specific purpose, there's no need to add any additional water inside the kayak.
How healthy is kayaking for kids?
Kayaking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors for kids. It's an enjoyable form of cardio that can improve a kid's strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and overall well-being. Plus, being on the water has been shown to have a calming effect on the mind and body.
Why do my legs hurt after kayaking?
It's natural to have sore legs after a day of kayaking. The act of paddling works your leg muscles, especially the hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves. This can lead to tired and sore legs if you aren't used to the exercise.
Is kayaking physically hard for kids?
Kayaking can be physically demanding for kids, especially if they are paddling in difficult conditions or for long periods of time. It's important to ensure that your child is up for the challenge before hitting the water, and also to make sure that they take regular rests during their kayak trips.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best kayak for kids is the one that gets them on the water and enjoying nature. The children's kayaks above are all good choices that will provide your child with hours of fun. If you have any questions about which kayak is right for your child, please feel free to contact us and we would be happy to help you choose the perfect kayak for your little adventurer.
Member discussion