During the summer months Yvonne and her daughter Sage are hard to find. More than likely they’re snaking their way through the Idaho landscape on a river. Yvonne found her passion for kayaking when she moved to Idaho and has since become the source for kayaking knowledge in her area. What’s even better is she’s sharing her love of kayaking with her young daughter. Yvonne decided to share her “Kayaking With Kids” secrets here at Nature For Kids. So if you see a white Subaru parked on the side of the river give a good honk and a wave to tell her thanks!

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The main reason I take my daughter kayaking is because I hate finding a babysitter and it is an opportunity for me to do what I love while giving her my undivided attention on the water. We enjoy pointing out animals, rocks and sticks in the water and other items that pass by. I take her on floats that range from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours.

Make sure you are a competent paddler before you set off kayaking with kids. Try every run alone before taking a child with you. And do not take your child somewhere you have tipped out in the past on your own.

It always takes a while to get a child use to a new activity.  The more often you take them however, the easier it should become.  Your child may not like waves at first. I suggest saying “Wee” to emphasize how much fun they are as you go through them. This will teach your child to enjoy them more. Try to avoid going around naptime unless your child can fall asleep on the kayak. My daughter just needs her blanket to fall asleep and she is fine. 

It is mandatory to bring snacks, drinks and some kind of toy that they can play with in the water. If you don’t bring those things they will be whining and complaining in no time. The most common request of the child is to use YOUR paddle. If you can find something that works as a paddle for them you will solve half the battle. I use a plastic shovel, which works best as a kind of paddle. It floats if it is dropped so it can be easily retrieved. If your toy doesn’t float, you WILL lose it. Other items that have entertained include a doll, a measuring cup, giant spoon, and if you are in a crunch a long stick from the riverbank. 

If you have a new baby under a year old, going in a tandem kayak with another adult is a great option. Going with another adult gives you someone else to paddle while you hold or feed the baby. You may be able to lay them in your lap at your feet, but I prefer a snuggli so they are attached to me.  If you go after 2 PM make sure you have sunglasses for your child so they aren’t looking into the sunlight. And keeping a jacket on hand for the child incase a windstorm kicks up is a good idea too.

Things To Always Keep In A Dry Bag:

• Wet wipes in a plastic baggie
• Diaper
• Blanket
• Jacket, in case of bad weather
• Travel sunscreen
• Sunglasses

Things To Grab When Running Out The Door:

• Plastic shovel or pretend paddle
• Baby lifejacket
• Drink and snack

Having a dry bag packed and ready makes for a fast getaway. Try to have most items tied down on your kayak when not in use, just in case an accidental spill does occur.

Now it’s your turn to get out there on the water and give kayaking a go with your little one. Send in some pictures of your kayaking with kids fun!