10 Best Kayaks For Kids In 2023

Fun, stable, and incredibly easy to paddle, the Sun Dolphin Aruba 10 is an ideal kids kayak. Whether your little one is new to kayaking or already has experience, they’re going to enjoy what the Aruba kayak has to offer. As a bonus, it’s also very affordable which makes it even more attractive.

Hull and Deck Design

The Aruba 10 is a sit-inside kayak with a spacious cockpit that offers more than enough room. The seat is adjustable for better back support, and the kayak even comes with sliding foot braces for leg comfort. As for the hull, it’s shaped like the letter V and provides a good glide and very decent tracking.

Performance and Features

When talking about its performance, the Aruba 10 can tackle many different scenarios on the water but works best in calm and moderately choppy conditions. It’s very enjoyable to use and comes with many great features, including a paddle holder, a small bottle holder, and a dry storage compartment behind the seat.

The Sevylor Quikpak K1 is one of the best kayaks for kids that’s incredibly easy to transport. When deflated, it packs into a small backpack that weighs only 18 pounds on your back so you can take it anywhere. Thanks to this, it’s probably the best kids kayak if you and your kids travel a lot.

Hull and Deck Design

Made from 21-gauge PVC and reinforced with Tarpaulin, the hull of this kayak can withstand any challenge on the water. The hull is fairly flat and consists of multiple air chambers that not only provide rigidity but also prevent the entire boat from deflating if one of them is punctured.

Performance and Features

Stability on the water is the main focal point of the Sevylor Quikpak K1. Its body is extra-wide which reduces the chances of capsizing. In addition to excellent performance, the kayak is also rich with accessories and includes the backpack we’ve mentioned, an aluminum paddle, and a hand pump that allows you to set it up in 5 minutes.

At only 6 feet long, the Lifetime Youth Wave is the best kayak for kids who are very young and just getting into kayaking. It’s incredibly lightweight and stable, so your little one can control it without any issues. In addition, it’s flip resistant and has a swim-up deck so a child can climb on it from the water.

Hull and Deck Design

Made from HDPE, the hull of the Youth Wave is exceptionally strong and resistant to impacts. It’s also UV-protected (doesn’t fade in the sun) and comes with a 5-year warranty. As for the deck, its ergonomic design makes sitting and paddling very enjoyable.

Performance and Features

Considering that this is a kayak for young children, the design focuses on functionality rather than performance. The deck is wide with plenty of legroom and comes with scupper holes that prevent flooding. To make carrying easier, it features molded finger handles on both sides.

Thanks to its unique design, the Sevylor Quikpak K5 is one of the best kayaks when it comes to versatility. It’s an inflatable kayak with a fully-enclosed cockpit so it offers both easy portability and splash protection in colder weather.

Hull and Cockpit Design

Both the body and the deck of the Quikpak K5 are made from 24-gauge PVC that provides excellent structural strength and resistance to punctures and damage. The hull is designed with several air chambers for additional security if one is accidentally damaged.

Performance and Features

The thing that makes these children kayaks so attractive is their 5-minute setup. The package includes a pump and paddle, so you can hit the water almost immediately. Last but not least, the carrying backpack used for transportation doubles as a spray skirt that is zippered over the cockpit opening to prevent water from getting inside the childs kayak.

If you’re after a kids sit on top kayak that is simple in design and reliable on the water, the MaxKare Youth Wave is the best choice. It’s short and wide to ensure excellent primary stability, and comes with a spacious open deck that provides your child with more than enough comfort for recreational paddling.

Hull and Deck Design

To give you a high level of stability, the hull of these kid kayaks is fairly flat and has a beam width of just under 25 inches. The boat is made from strong polyethylene that your child won’t be able to damage even if they hit it on rocks. As we’ve pointed out, the deck is roomy and features a molded seat with backrest and footwells with three leg positions.

Performance and Features

For child paddlers, the performance of this kayak will be more than satisfactory. Keep in mind, however, that it’s not recommended for kids over 5ft 3in and weighing over 121 pounds.

The Ocean Kayak Malibu Two isn’t your typical kids' kayak – it’s a tandem kayak that allows two kids to paddle together. It’s actually a full-size kayak that even adults can use, so you can also paddle with your little one. As a bonus, the seats are easily removable so you can even equip the kayak with toddler seat.

Hull and Deck Design

The trademark of the Malibu Two kayak is its excellent stability that makes it very safe to use on the water. The hull is made from single-layer polyethylene that provides excellent strength and comes with a lifetime warranty coverage. As for the deck, it’s spacious and ensures comfort while paddling.

Performance and Features

The Malibu Two family kayak is very enjoyable to paddle, especially for recreational purposes. While it’s not packed with features, it offers two small storage areas at the front and back to stash the equipment that you need for the day.

One of the things that separate the Pelican Solo child kayaks from the rest is their Twin Tunnel hull design that provides unparalleled stability and completely eliminates the chance of capsizing. In addition, it’s a true kid size kayak that measures only 6 feet in length which is perfect for very young kayakers.

Hull and Deck Design

Besides the Twin Tunnel we’ve mentioned, the hull of this kids sit on kayak is mostly flat to the sides for extra stability. The deck features a similarly flat and open design for increased comfort and full freedom of movement while paddling.

Performance and Features

Even though the design is pretty simple, the kid sit on top kayak still comes with a few useful features – swim-up deck, self-bailing scupper holes, and molded rests for the feet. As a bonus, the package also includes a three-piece paddle.

The Advanced Elements Lagoon 1 is a youth inflatable kayak that works great on lakes, mild rivers, and even in ocean bays. Its length is ideal for older kids that need something more portable and easier to carry to the water.

Hull and Deck Design

The entire Lagoon 1 kayak is made from PVC and coated with polyester to provide a level of durability that can match hardshell kayaks for children. It’s equipped with quick-inflating Twistlok and Spring valves so the setup will be fast and easy. As a bonus, both the hull and the deck are brightly colored for better visibility.

Performance and Features

As we’ve pointed out, the Lagoon 1 children’s kayaks perform equally well in many different circumstances. The kayak is even equipped with a tracking fin so your child will have an easier time keeping it in a straight line while paddling.

The playful but stable design of the Lifetime 90100 Youth Wave makes it a great option for kids of all ages. It’s well-made, paddles easily, and even comes with an aluminum paddle included in the package.

Hull and Deck Design

Measuring 6 feet in length, this model falls in the category of small kayaks for kids. Thanks to this, even very young paddlers can use it without issues. On the other hand, the open deck offers plenty of room for a growing child so your little one can enjoy it for years to come.

Performance and Features

Unlike the similar Youth Wave kayak for children we’ve featured, this one offers a bit more comfort but at a slightly increased price. Besides the molded footwells, this is a kids kayak with seat back that you can easily adjust for better back support.

If you plan on taking your child on a longer kayaking adventure, the Perception Prodigy XS if the perfect kayak for the job. It’s a true touring kayak for kids, designed for young paddlers who are going to be on the water for several hours. However, this kayak is not an ideal option if your child doesn’t have any previous kayaking experience.

Hull and Cockpit Design

The hull of this youth sit in kayak focuses on stability, so you don’t have to worry about your child capsizing. At 10 feet long, it’s also fairly fast for a kids’ kayak. The cockpit is well organized and comes with a Deluxe padded seat as well as footrests that adjust as your child grows.

Performance and Features

Considering its stability and how easily it paddles, the Prodigy XS is a great recreational kids sit in kayak. We particularly like that it’s agile on the water and allows your child to practice and improve their paddling technique.