We have different types of best kayaks for kids on the market. Parents who want to support their kids’ quest to use kayaks can have their dreams come true.
Manufacturers are designing some of the best kayaks for kids you can think of today. These children-friendly kayaks are equipped to take care of children in the water.
The kayaks help children stay away from the virtual world and have a great body workout. The kids’ kayaks come in a variety of sizes and designs.
However, before you think of getting any of the best kayaks for kids, you have things to consider. In this article, we have made it easier for you to pick one kayak for your kids.
Table of Contents
Top kayaks for kids a family test
| Model | Weight | Weight Limit | Length | Age | Pros |
| Sun Dolphin Aruba
|
40 lbs. | 250 lbs. | 10 feet | 6+ | The kayak is durable.
It has a comfortable padded seat. It features adjustable foot braces. It has a large cockpit. It comes with a wide storage area. It is lightweight.
|
| Intex Challenger Kayak Series
|
27.2 lbs. | 220 lbs. | 9 feet | 6+ | It has paddles and aluminum oars.
It is lightweight. It has a nice storage area. Kids can easily inflate the kayak.
|
| Ocean Kayak Malibu
|
57 lbs. | 425 lbs. | 12 feet | Toddlers/ parents | The kayak has a wide storage space.
You can use the kayak as either a solo or tandem. It is relatively lightweight. It has comfortable seats.
|
| Lifetime Youth Wave Kayak
|
18 lbs. | 130 lbs. | 6 feet | 5+ | The kayak is the most lightweight on our list.
It is durable. The kayak is stable. It comes with a 5-year warranty. The kayak can be entered with ease.
|
| Sun Dolphin Bali
|
44 lbs. | 140 lbs. | 6 feet | 4-6 | The kayak is stable.
It is durable. It is cost-effective. It has paddles. It features paddle holders. It is easy to control.
|
The best kayaks for kids my test
Sun Dolphin Aruba – Best Sit-In Kayak
Sun Dolphin Aruba is one of the best kayaks for kids with a safe cockpit that keeps the kids safe during kayaking.
This model is a sit-in kayak that is suitable for kids who are starting to use the kayak. It is affordable and great for every child.
The Sun Dolphin Aruba is made of rugged UV-stabilized fortiflex high-density polyethylene. This kayak is durable to support the kids if they make a mistake.
It comes with adjustable padded seats alongside high back support. The kayak has adjustable foot braces to makes sure kids stay comfortable.
With its large open cockpit, kids can easily enter and leave the kayak. It measures 10 feet long and has a huge storage area with shock cord deck rigging.
It has a weight capacity of 40 pounds and is easy to transport. It can handle up to 250 pounds of carrying capacity.
Pros:
The kayak is durable.
It has a comfortable padded seat.
It features adjustable foot braces.
It has a large cockpit.
It comes with a wide storage area.
It is lightweight.
Cons:
It has no paddles.
Sun Dolphin Aruba is a sit-in kayak, which offers affordability, durability, and stability. However, you have to buy its paddles separately.
Intex Challenger Kayak Series – Most Affordable
Are you searching for the best kayaks for kids? It is affordable and made of welded heavy-duty puncture-resistant vinyl.
This is to keep the kids safe in the water. It has an I-beam floor that improves stability and stays rigid in rough waters.
The inflatable kayak allows you to deflate it when you do not want to use it. Storage is easy and can be done in either large or small spaces.
This ability to be stored anywhere makes it better than the hardshell kayaks. Intex Challenger Kayak Series has deck rigging.
The cockpit makes it comfortable for the rider because of its maximized space for stretching out of the legs during kayaking.
The kayak measures 9 feet and weighs 27 pounds. It is a lightweight kayak that kids can carry it without difficulty.
It has a HI output hand pump that lets kids inflate the kayak without the help of an adult. However, you should make sure that the weight limit does not exceed 220 pounds.
This is to protect the child when kayaking. It does not have a drain hole to take out water.
Pros:
It has paddles and aluminum oars.
The kayak is stable.
It is lightweight.
It has a nice storage area.
Kids can easily inflate the kayak.
Cons:
It has no drainage hole.
Intex Challenger Kayak Series has comfortable seat, rigid floor and stable body.
Ocean Kayak Malibu – Best for Toddlers
Ocean Kayak Malibu is among the best kayaks for kids and toddlers. It has two seats for an adult and a kid. This means that it is for adults and supports kids.
It has three seating positions, which include the bow, middle, and stern. You can paddle the kayak with a child, or remove the seat for bigger storage space.
The footwells ensure that users seat in comfort. Ocean Kayak Malibu has a 12 feet storage space. It is relatively light at 57 pounds.
It makes use of a pair of molded-in handles for transportation. The kayak has an open hull and reasonably affordable.
Pros:
The kayak has a wide storage space.
You can use the kayak as either a solo or tandem.
It is relatively lightweight.
It has comfortable seats.
Cons:
It is the most expensive kayak on our list.
The kayak might leak.
Ocean Kayak Malibu is an excellent kayak for adults with toddlers.
Lifetime Youth Wave Kayak – Most Lightweight
If you do not want to struggle to carry your kayak and your kid’s kayak, you can go for the Lifetime Youth Wave Kayak.
It weighs only 18 pounds, which means that a child can carry it with the molded finger handles on each side. This helps it easier for transportation.
It offers the least maximum weight capacity of 130 pounds. This is among the best kayaks for kids suitable for children aged five and above.
It measures 6 feet long and is easy to maneuver. We know that shorter kayaks are harder to paddle straight, but it comes with a reverse chine.
This helps in improving the lateral stability when paddling. The kayak is made of high-density Polyethylene and provides superior strength and durability.
It has multiple footrest positions for different-sized riders. The kayak ensures that the child is comfortable even when they grow taker or older.
It comes with paddles and its twin-fin design ensures that it can tracking and surf riding are amazing. However, the kayak is not great for long trips.
Pros:
The kayak is the most lightweight on our list.
It is durable.
The kayak is stable.
It comes with a 5-year warranty.
The kayak can be entered with ease.
Cons:
It is not comfortable for long rides.
It is unsuitable for taller kids.
Lifetime Youth Wave Kayak is great for kids above five years old.
Sun Dolphin Bali – Most Stable
Sun Dolphin Bali is listed on our best kayaks for kids that is stable. The stability of the kayak ensures that kids do not tip over.
The open cockpit ensures that kids re-enter the kayak with ease. They can easily maneuver and control the kayak.
It weighs 44 pounds and was designed as a sit-on-top kayak. It is relatively light and easy for the kids to transport it.
We recommend kids 4 to around 6 or 9 years old with a total weight that does not exceed 140 pounds to use it.
The kayak is made of UV stabilized Fortiflex high-density polyethylene. The kayak is durable and ensures that a child stays comfortable because of its padded seats.
It measures 6 feet long and is very easy to store. This kayak can fit in trunks without the need for any extra cables.
It has a paddle holder in arms reach.
Pros:
The kayak is stable.
It is durable.
It is cost-effective.
It has paddles.
It features paddle holders.
It is easy to control.
Cons:
It has low-quality paddles.
It lets water stay inside.
The kayak is small and stable. Sun Dolphin Bali is easy to maneuver, and offers excellent traceability, and is cost-effective.
How to choose the best kayaks for kids?
Kayaking could be fun for kids, but there are things that you have to consider when you want to pick one of these kayaks for your kids.
Here are some of the things to consider:
Durability
Since many kids may not be able to use things properly, it is important that a kayak should be durable. When kids make use of kayak, it should support their play.
You can make use of the inflatable kayak to help your kids. If you want the hard shell one, you may want to go for the polyethylene material.
Weight
The weight of a kayak is important when you are buying a kayak for your kid. We recommend that you get the lighter kayak for your child.
This would help the child carry it and transportation is easier. When you get a lighter kayak for your child, you should know that it reduces stability.
This can be dangerous if the child loses track of the paddling.
Stability
Do not neglect stability when buying a kayak for a child. This should be a critical factor for every kid’s kayak. The safety of a child is paramount when kayaking.
The child needs balance and safety when paddling in the water.
Dimensions
You should get a large kayak for your child. When buying the best kayaks for kids, you should ensure that the kayak’s length is between 6 to 10 feet.
This helps in facilitating tracking and maneuverability. This also helps in improving balance. Consider the arms of your kid when buying a kayak.
If the child has short arms, the width of the kayak must be considered to avoid them suffering a lot of bruises on their elbows.
Towing
When you want to buy a kayak, you should go for one with towing ability. You can worry less when the kayak has its ability.
The towing ability helps in tying the kid’s kayak to your kayak.
Adjustable Foot Braces
You can consider getting a kayak with adjustable instead of molded-in foot braces. This means that the kayak will grow with the kids.
Kayak for kids FAQ
How Can I Make Sure my Kid is Safe?
This question is what many parents ask when they want to get a kayak for their kids. The first thing you should do is to get the kids’ life jackets.
When the weather is lousy, do not allow the kids to enter the water with their kayaks. You should teach your kids how to paddle correctly.
How to Kayak with Kids?
Do you want to kayak with your kids? This could be stressful or daunting in the beginning. You should begin the learning with a two-person kayak.
You help them learn better and properly when you kayak with them. You do not only teach them to kayak but teach them what to do when a boat capsizes.
You do not allow them to paddle solo until they have become good at kayaking. You leave them with a small lake or pond until they are ready to be adventurous.
Can a Kid Get Stuck In a Kayak?
The answer to this question is no. Kids can fall out of their kayaks when they flip over, even when their cockpits are small.
My Final Thoughts
With the five best kayaks for kids that we have listed, you might have an idea of what to pick for your kid. My top pick can be your ideal choice too.
We picked the Sun Dolphin Aruba as our best because it comes as a sit-in-kayak. It offers stability and safety, which are very important for kayaks.
The affordability of the kayak and its beginner-friendly feature is what a child needs while kayaking. Comfort was not sacrificed in this kayak.
You may want to use the Intex Challenger Kayak Series, which is an inflatable kayak. You would love this for your kid because it has enough storage.
It is affordable like Sun Dolphin Aruba. Parents with toddlers can go for the Ocean Kayak Malibu. This kayak is very comfortable.
It offers users three seating positions and adjustable footwells.