Planning Family-Friendly Kayaking Adventures - What to Pack
16th Apr 2025
Table of Contents:
Introduction to Family Kayaking
Kayaking is one of those activities that can be fun for the whole family! With a little planning and foresight, having the kids on the water with you can create great experiences while exposing your family to the great outdoors. Regardless of previous kayaking experience, a family day on the water is never that far out of reach. Read on as we explore how to approach a family-friendly kayaking adventure from aspects such as planning the ideal location to ensuring you pack the essential gear for on the water.
Family-Friendly Features of the Flip-Kat®
For a family-friendly kayak, few other models can compete with the Flip-Kat®! The stable, wide design gives comfort and security to those on board while the storage space ensures you can bring all the essentials.
Stability and Comfort
Stability and comfort are two of the calling cards for a Flip-Kat®. The wide base keeps the kayak upright and stable on the water in the face of waves and movement on board. This extra stability can be critical in family situations where younger, less experienced kids may be moving around and otherwise upsetting a delicate balance. What’s more, the wide base of the Flip-Kat® simply provides more room for children maintaining a baseline of comfort.
Adjustable Seating for Kids and Adults
Not all kayaks are ideal for kids and adults, but the adjustable seating in the Flip-Kat® largely solves that issue. With more flexibility in seat height, the Flip-Kat® can be great for anyone regardless of their stature.
Essential Safety Gear
Beyond the kayak itself, the essential safety gear is just as important. For a family-friendly kayak adventure, you’ll definitely need some life jackets along with some sun protection and essential hydrations.
Life Jackets
Life jackets are a must for any kayaker, but even more so in the context of a family-friendly kayak adventure. Especially for adults/children who are inexperienced on kayaks or who aren’t great swimmers, life jackets are quite literally a lifesaving technology. Having each member outfitted with a life jacket is the superior way to conduct a kayak adventure.
Sun Protection and Hydration
Often on the water, there will be little to no protection from the sun. During summer months, some of the best kayaking times of the year, having children sit in the sun all day is a bad idea. Bring your own protection through applicable sunscreen or extra clothing layers like hats, sunglasses, and long sleeves. What’s more, this same sun that can burn skin will also dehydrate you and your family. Bring extra water aboard; there is no shortage of storage space on board the Flip-Kat® to make sure everyone is happy and hydrated. Thirsty, sun-burnt kids won’t last long on the water.
@noisyriveroutdoors PRE-ORDER TODAY!?
Selecting Calm, Scenic Routes
The route you choose for a family-friendly kayak adventure is hugely important. Especially with young/inexperienced kayakers, you’ll want to opt for an easier route. Ideally, try to find areas where there is no current to fight such as a calmer lake/pond as most children won’t be able to overcome additional forces. Also, try to find areas that are scenic as they provide the most fun for kayakers looking around, enjoying the day.
What to Bring
Beyond the essential gear listed earlier, there are some other gear & accessory suggestions as well to further enhance your experiences on the water. Kayaks like the Flip-Kat® have no shortage of storage space, so better to overpack some extra snacks/equipment than to not have them at all.
Snacks and Water
As mentioned, having extra water is essential during a family-friendly kayak adventure. Afterall, kayaking is a physical endeavor that you need to fuel for. On that note, having snacks is another big move for a kayak adventure. Especially with young kids who are bound to lose focus, having snacks to keep blood sugar levels higher can drastically lengthen the trip and improve the experience overall.
Binoculars and Cameras for Exploration
Besides just food and water, having some extra technology can add another dimension to your experience. Cameras and binoculars can unlock new sights to see while capturing the best moments in film to be viewed again later. Especially if you find yourself surrounded by trees as you kayak, binoculars can uncover the beautiful wildlife that is all around you.
Tips for a Successful Adventure
With the right kayak, gear, and route picked, you’re almost ready for a family-friendly kayak adventure. Keep these tips in mind to ensure everyone has a good time:
Start with Short Trips for New Kayakers
Especially with new kayakers or younger children, start with short trips. An hour or two floating around lazy water is often an extremely beneficial experience for beginners as they learn techniques to be stable and propel around while feeling safe in the situation. Longer trips or situations where there is current can be too grueling for inexperienced/young kayakers, which can leave a negative impression of the kayaking experience.
Make it Fun and Engaging for Kids
Make your kayaking experiences with the kids fun and engaging! Especially those with shorter attention spans, take the time to engage with them about kayaking and the environment around them for more stimulation. Taking out some binoculars to get a better look at some of the nearby birds would be a great way to refresh and re-engage a child that is losing focus. Having snacks on board is always helpful as well for keeping kids invested in kayaking.
Conclusion - Grab the Family and Start Your Adventure!
Getting the family on the water for kayaking can be a fantastic bonding experience in the great outdoors. Exploring the water is stimulating to both mind and body; a great way to get some exercise. Planning a family-friendly kayaking adventure doesn’t have to be hard, especially with a Flip-Kat® and a calm lake. The Flip-Kat®’s unmatched stability, storage, and accessibility makes family kayaking easier than ever before. Get some lifejackets, your Flip-Kat®s, the kids, and some snacks to make an experience your family will never forget!
