Kids these days tend to spend a lot of time indoors looking at screens, playing video games, or texting friends rather than being outside in the great outdoors enjoying nature’s bounty and getting a little exercise.
I guess that if they have any affinity for the water at all, it wouldn’t take much to get them interested in kayaking. There are plenty of models out there suitable for kids from age 5 or that can be ridden in tandem with an adult to get them started.
With that in mind, a number of models are introduced below suitable for a range of ages along with appropriate tandem models. To give you a comparative reference for key features and pricing there is a table followed by reviews with specifications, photos, and videos, and finally a buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know in the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For other related information on kayaks, canoes, boats, and accessories, please check out these popular posts:
The Lifetime Youth Wave 6’ Kayak is a great model set-up especially for young paddlers starting at age 5 and weighing up to 130 pounds.
Constructed from durable polyethylene it has a wide, flat stable bottom with a front grab handle and side molded finger handles that make it easy for a kid to carry its 18 pounds and launch on his own.
With a swim-up step, climbing back on board after a swim is easy and self-draining scupper holes let any excess water automatically exit the cockpit.
It comes in bright orange and green for visibility in low light or at a distance, with a child-size paddle, a very affordable price, and a 5-year limited warranty.
Type: solid
1 Paddler: aged 5 and up
Length: 6 feet
Width: 24 inches
Weight: 18 pounds
Weight Capacity: 130 pounds
High-density polyethylene construction
Flat bottom, reverse chine, and twin fins for stability
Child-sized paddle included
Molded paddle cradle
Several footrest positions for different-sized paddlers
Front grab handle and molded finger handles on each side
The Sevylor Quikpak K1 inflatable is lightweight at 18 pounds and conveniently unpacks and sets up in 5 minutes or less.
It is suitable for beginners starting in their early teens and has a comfortable backrest and multiple footrest positions to suit a range of body sizes.
With a capacity of 400 pounds, it will handle larger teens and a substantial amount of baggage which can be stored in the front bungee webbing and behind the seat.
Constructed of durable 21 gauge PVC with a tarpaulin bottom, it is durable, but should there be a leak or puncture, multiple air chambers are allowing for the time to return to shore.
Back onshore, the high-pressure pump, breakdown paddle, and kayak all pack away in an easily portable backpack.
Type: inflatable
1 paddler: early teens on up
Length: 8 feet, 7 inches
Width: 36 inches
Weight: 18 pounds
Weight Capacity: 400 pounds
Durable 21 gauge PVC bladder with a tarpaulin bottom
Multiple air chambers for safety
Double lock valves
Seat with backrest
Front and rear grab handles
Multiple footrest positions
Bungee storage, cup holders
Includes a break-down paddle, high-pressure pump, and easy-carry backpack that turns into a seat
The Rave Sports Sea Rebel has a simple, stable, durable design suitable for youths, teens, and adults under 200 pounds primarily for flatwater paddling.
Lightweight at 22 pounds it’s easy to carry in its handbag and inflates in minutes with the high-pressure hand pump that comes in the package.
It is constructed from durable materials with a single 24 gauge PVC bladder, nylon cover, and tarpaulin bottom.
There are 3 fins for tracking, a padded removable seatback with a waterproof zip bag for your cell phone and other essentials, and substantial bungee webbing in the back for additional storage.
Available in yellow a break-down paddle is included along with a limited 1-year warranty.
The Intex Challenger KI is a great choice for young paddlers and beginners for a day on calm water with excellent durability and a super-low price.
It’s Coast Guard-approved with 2 puncture-resistant vinyl bladders and double-welded seams.
Inflating in minutes, it has a comfortable, adjustable, inflatable seat and I-beam floor, a mesh net for ample storage, and a 220-pound capacity to handle big kids and adults.
A removable skeg aids in tracking and the package includes an aluminum paddle, high-output pump, and repair patch kit in the unlikely chance you should need it.
Type: inflatable
1 paddler: youth, teen, or adult
Length: 9 feet
Width: 30 inches
Weight: 27.2 pounds
Weight Capacity: 220 pounds
UV and puncture-resistant vinyl with double-welded seams
U.S. Coast Guard-approved
Inflatable I-beam floor
Inflatable adjustable seat with a backrest
Grab line on each end
Front mesh net for storage
Boston valve for easy inflation
Package includes an 84-inch aluminum paddle, high-output pump, and repair patch kit
The Perception Prodigy XS 10’ Kayak is suitable for kids and small adults of less than 150 pounds.
This sit-in solid-body model is buoyant with flotation front and rear and has sturdy high-density rotomolded polyethylene construction.
It’s comfortable for different-sized paddlers with padded adjustable seating, footrests, and cockpit ring, and has a bit of bungee webbing in the front for storage.
Stability is a key feature for beginners and young paddlers and this model has plenty of it for them on flat, calm waters where they can develop skills.
Pricing is a little higher than most models reviewed here and you will need to purchase your paddle separately.
Type: solid
1 Paddler: kids and adults under 150 pounds
Length: 10 feet
Width: 23 inches
Weight: 26 pounds
Weight Capacity: 150 pounds
High-density UV-resistant rotomolded polyethylene construction
Integrated flotation front and rear
Adjustable footrests for different-sized paddlers
Front bungee webbing for storage
Leg padding on the cockpit ring for comfort
Padded adjustable seat
Front and rear carry handles
Matches with the Perception Universal Paddle are sold separately
Available in sunset, salsa, and déjà vu color schemes
The Sun Dolphin Aruba 10’ Kayak has a roomy comfortable cockpit suitable for beginners, both kids, and adults, to 249 pounds in lakes and mild streams.
The adjustable foot braces and high-back seating accommodate a range of sizes and the spray deflector helps keep you dry.
There is significant storage possible inside the rear storage hatch and with deck rigging, and the Aruba also sports paddle and bottle holders to keep everything stowed when necessary. Sun Dolphin uses sturdy UV-resistant high-density polyethylene that will last kids into adulthood.
Type: solid
1 Paddler: kids and adults
Length: 10 feet
Width: 30 inches
Weight: 40 pounds
Weight Capacity: 249 pounds
High-density UV-resistant polyethylene construction
The Intex Explorer K2 is great for one or two paddlers and makes a great choice for an adult to accompany a child for up close and personal supervision.
Lightweight and easy to carry and store, it pumps up in minutes with the provided high-pressure pump using quality Boston valves.
The durable vinyl construction has 3 air chambers for safety and comfortable seating with adjustable seats and backrests, though legroom is a little limited for two paddlers.
It has a stable, low-profile, wide-body and removable skeg for tracking that performs well in lakes and gentle streams.
Accessories include two aluminum paddles, a repair patch kit, and a carry bag.
The bright yellow color is easy to see in low light and the pricing is at a budget level.
Type: inflatable
2 Paddlers: kids and adults
Length: 10 feet
Width: 36 inches
Weight: 31 pounds
Weight Capacity: 400 pounds
Rugged vinyl construction
3 air chambers for safety if there is a leak or puncture
Inflatable I-beam floor
Quick inflation/deflation using Boston valves on each side
Removable skeg for tracking
2 adjustable inflatable seats with backrests
Grab-line and handles at each end
6 mesh pockets for storage
Includes two aluminum oars, high-output pump, repair patch kit, and carry bag
The Lifetime 10’ Tandem is a durable, stable sit-on-top style kayak that has the design and a high enough capacity to support one, two, or even a third paddler.
The seating is high and dry with two padded backrests and multiple footrest positions that work well for an experienced paddler accompanying a less experienced child.
The tunnel hull design tracks well and the wide body is extra stable.
The cockpit stays dry with self-bailing drainage holes and there is a bit of storage with a cargo area in the front, ditty trays, and shock cord straps.
Two paddles are included in the package and it comes in bright green for visibility.
Type: solid
2-3 Paddlers: kids and adults
Length: 10 feet
Width: 36 inches
Weight: 60 pounds
Weight Capacity: 500 pounds
UV-protected high-density polyethylene rotomolded construction
Tunnel hull design
2 padded backrests for 3 adjustable seating positions
Multiple footrest positions
Molded rear and front carry handles
Ditty trays, shock cord straps, and a cargo area in the front for storage
Kayaks for kids tend to be short, from 6-10 feet. They are lighter and easier to handle, more balanced, and maneuverable than longer models, and easier to carry and move around. Kids, like beginners, will spend most of their time on flat water or slow, gentle rivers and won’t need a lot of specialized features or capabilities that come with longer models.
Weight Capacity
Kayaks are rated for the maximum load weight they can handle. You need to make sure the kayak selected can handle the weight of the child and any baggage that might also be loaded. When the child outgrows the capacity you’ll need to look for a new kayak. If you are going the route of using a tandem kayak for an adult and child together, the same rule applies.
Width
Children and beginners will be more secure and safe on wider models due to the stability provided. Wide kayaks aren’t as efficient as narrower models but will be less prone to turning over.
Stability
Aside from the width, several features increase stability.
Hull Shape – Flat or pontoon-shaped hulls are more stable than V-shaped or rounded hulls
Reverse Chines – The chines are where the bottom of a kayak meets the side area. There are several different configurations of chines that a boat or kayak might have but when they essentially turn out sort of like fins they are known as reverse chines. This type aids greatly in stability and tracking.
Fin or Skeg – This is the piece that juts down from the rear of the hull and aids in tracking and traveling in a straight line, especially in wind or current.
Style
There are kayaks like the classically styled models you sit inside and others you sit on top of. Each has its strong points and performance capabilities. Kayaks are also available with solid bodies and in inflatable versions. Inflatables are easier to store and transport generally. There are models of each possibility reviewed above for your consideration.
For other related information on kayaks, canoes, boats, and accessories, please check out these popular posts:
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