Best Paddle Boards For Kids

There are so many wonderful benefits for kids who stand up paddleboard.

Besides it being a great physical activity that is fun it also gets them outdoors and disconnected from cell phones or computers. The same benefits go for the adults too!

It teaches them a new skill, improves their balance and most often your child will return home exhausted with a big smile on their face.

Paddle boarding is awesome for all age groups and I love seeing parents enjoying this activity with their kids.

Best SUP For Kids

Realistically any SUP can be paddled by kids however some will be easier than others and there are a few on the market that are specifically designed for children.

Inflatable paddleboards are ideal for kids. They are solid, stable and easy to paddle. They also offer a slightly more cushioned surface if they should fall.

You can expect a child specific board to typically range between 7 and 9 feet long and be between 28” and 30” wide.

The leaner width (compared to a wider 32” – 34”) will be easier for them to reach and paddle, turn and maneuver.

You may also find that kid ISUP’s are only 4” thick as opposed to 5” or 6” thick.

A 4” thick board is lighter, moves easier and typically cannot hold as much weight as a larger board.

For these reasons a 4” thick board is great for kids or small adults.

Which size is best for your child will depend on his/her size and skill level. In my own experience I have found that kids that start off with a smaller board quickly outgrow it and want a longer board (10’ or more) that can move faster in the water.

However a smaller child will have a much easier time paddling and reaching for the forward stroke on a smaller SUP.

10’ is a great length for an older child (12 years + depending on skill level). Just make sure the 10’ board isn’t too wide for them to maneuver well – keep it 30″ or less.

When just starting out there are a couple great options to consider, especially if your child is 11 and under and just learning the skills.

Kid Specific ISUP’s

Below are a couple popular kid specific inflatable stand-up paddle boards.

Airhead Popsicle – 7’ long, 30” wide, 6″ thick and weighs only 19 lbs. This board is suited for paddlers who weigh 30 to 120 lbs.

The Popsicle is easy to paddle and the 6” thickness provides a nice amount of stability. This is a great board for a kid to learn on.

It is fun, portable and we love the nice bright colors. It comes with everything your child needs to get started including a pump, storage bag and kid-specific paddle.

We didn’t find the Popsicle to be particularly fast or to track that well but every kid we have had on this ISUP has had a great time paddling it.

We have seen their skill, balance and confidence improve greatly after just a  few times out on this board.

Ten Toes Board Emporium Nano – 8′ long, 30″ wide and 4″ thick.

The Nano is ideal for the junior rider.  It offers a little bit more length so will take a bit more effort to paddle but it is still easy to turn and maneuver.

We find with the extra length the Nano suits a wider range of ages so it’s great if you have more than one child sharing it.

The price is decent for what you get and we like the small bungee area up front that can be used to store some gear.

Other ISUP Options for Kids

Another option to consider is just buying a smaller adult board for your child.  A board under 11′ and 30″ wide will work well.

As long as you keep within a certain size range it will still be easy enough for your kid to paddle and will last them many more years as they grow.

Keep in mind however that these options will also likely cost a bit more to buy but the investment should hopefully last you longer and allow the kid to grow into the board.

A few great options to consider are:

Burke 9′ Quest – 9′ long, 30″ wide, 4.75″ thick, weighs 18 lbs.

The 9′ Quest is a really great option for kids or teens.  It is slightly larger than the kid-specific boards but still small enough to be easy to paddle and turn.

My friends 14-year old daughter uses this board a lot and it works great for her.  However it would also suit a younger child as well.

The size makes it great to share with kids or smaller adults.

Hero SUP Spark – 10’6″ long, 30″ wide, 6″ thick, weighs 22 lbs.

We have had a few kids on the Spark between the ages of 6 and 13 and it has worked really well.  It takes a bit more effort for a younger child to paddle but it’s stable for them and it feels secure, which is sometimes half the battle.

Also we have found that the longer length allows the kids to pile on and have fun jumping on and off.  The all-around design makes it very versatile.

The Spark is really well made so it will withstand a fair amount of abuse and has the benefit of being a great size for any person to paddle.

Sharing Your ISUP With Your Child

You might be wondering if it is possible for your child to simply paddle your board once in awhile instead of investing in a SUP of their own.  The answer is yes absolutely.

I have had many of my friends kids out paddling on 11′ or longer boards.  They aren’t going to be able to go anywhere too fast on these boards as they will take more effort to move but they are great for just hanging out on the water and having fun.

A longer, wider and thicker board will feel very stable to them however it will take more reach for their paddling stroke and more strength to turn and move, especially in choppy water or wind.

Whichever board you choose is sure to bring you and your family many hours of awesome outdoor fun!