coupla free kayaks - how safe for kids?

masraum · 02-23-2026, 03:54 PM

The wife sees these potentially being used by the grandsons (I wanna use them!).

A couple of years ago, we got a large 5 person inflatable raft and used that to go down a local river (pretty mild). It was HARD work for me and the son in law to row that mofo down the river with us and the oldest grandson who was probably 5 or 6 at the time. Then, our daughter in law's father died, and she gave us his old canoe. My son and I took the grandson down the river on the canoe, and it was still tough, but MUCH easier. While on that outing, we saw a family on small kayaks. I thought that was pretty cool, and looked like more fun (for me, not suitable for the grandson at the time at least).

We have a small "lake" (more like a pond really ~200' x 475') nearby in a park. The wife is thinking that we can take the boys (about to be 10 and 7) and let them paddle around the pond on the kayaks. I don't know jack about kayaks.

Tell me about these things. I'd obviously "test drive" one first, and the boys wouldn't be on the water without me with them. And they always have to wear PFDs. Safety first!
https://www.lifetime.com/lifetime-90785-hydros-angler-85-fishing-kayak-with-paddle

look 171 · 02-23-2026, 04:09 PM

Those are fun. No keel or little bit of it makes going straight a little difficult compared to a larger touring Kayak. I have an ocean kayak with a typical small keel so tracking it isn't too difficult. GEt those, they are fun and requires little effort to get them going. Going upstream? It can be done but the one shown in your post will be easier as you can whip it around, steer it and use the eddy to your advantage.

gchappel · 02-23-2026, 04:24 PM

For a 7-10yo with no boating experience I would get a small 2man sit on top kayak. One adult and one child at least for the first couple times out. Then the kids can be together on one boat- as long as an adult is along on another boat.
This is assuming the kids feel comfortable on the water. Life preservers are a must- even in a pond. A 10 yo old that was not a strong swimmer and without a life preserver drowned in our lake a couple 100yds from our dock--- so stay safe.
This is how we paddled with our grandkids- 6 and 9 at the time. They are both on swim teams so can swim better than they can walk.
Fun times- go for it.
gary

billybek · billybek's Garage

We had a bunch of those between several families at the lake we go to in the summer.
The kids just loved them. Bumper boats, dragging their friends around, paddling out to the swim dock. Great exercise.
They do not paddle straight easily but some of the kids mastered them and could move them very efficiently.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-23-2026, 05:01 PM

With PFDs on flat water, absolutely! Anywhere with a current or strong wind to fight and I’d at least recommend serious supervision.

masraum · 02-23-2026, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171

Those are fun. No keel or little bit of it makes going straight a little difficult compared to a larger touring Kayak. I have an ocean kayak with a typical small keel so tracking it isn't too difficult. GEt those, they are fun and requires little effort to get them going. Going upstream? It can be done but the one shown in your post will be easier as you can whip it around, steer it and use the eddy to your advantage.

Good to know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gchappel

For a 7-10yo with no boating experience I would get a small 2man sit on top kayak. One adult and one child at least for the first couple times out. Then the kids can be together on one boat- as long as an adult is along on another boat.
This is assuming the kids feel comfortable on the water. Life preservers are a must- even in a pond. A 10 yo old that was not a strong swimmer and without a life preserver drowned in our lake a couple 100yds from our dock--- so stay safe.
This is how we paddled with our grandkids- 6 and 9 at the time. They are both on swim teams so can swim better than they can walk.
Fun times- go for it.
gary

2 man would be my preference, but not what's being offered. We absolutely always use PFD. If something happens to the boys (heaven forbid) we do our utmost to ensure that it wasn't on our watch. Safety absolutely first. If the boys were out paddling around, I'd probably be following them around in the canoe.
The boys do have a pool at home and at their other grandparent's place, so they spend a fair amount of time in water.

Quote:

Originally Posted by billybek

We had a bunch of those between several families at the lake we go to in the summer.
The kids just loved them. Bumper boats, dragging their friends around, paddling out to the swim dock. Great exercise.
They do not paddle straight easily but some of the kids mastered them and could move them very efficiently.

Good to know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

With PFDs on flat water, absolutely! Anywhere with a current or strong wind to fight and I’d at least recommend serious supervision.

Cool, thx.

id10t · 02-23-2026, 05:40 PM

would you let the kids swim there without a PFD? if so, it is fine for 'em with a PFD.

A930Rocket · 02-23-2026, 06:22 PM

What about a helmet?

I know it’s not white water rafting like we used to do, but….

KFC911 · 02-23-2026, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

What about a helmet?

I know it’s not white water rafting like we used to do, but….

If Steve wants to wear a helmet ... that's certainly his call too

Live reckless and I hope y'all enjoy those kayaks

Makin' Memories ... yep!

Tim Hancock · 02-24-2026, 03:30 AM

My grandkids have a blast on our pond with two small sit on top Walmart kayaks and my larger whitewater kayak. The younger ones wear life jackets (3-6 yrs old). The older ones who are good swimmers use them without life jackets. There is typically an adult keeping an eye on them when they are in the pond.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-24-2026, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

What about a helmet?

I know it’s not white water rafting like we used to do, but….

I doubt they are hitting the rapids just yet!

stealthn · 02-24-2026, 06:32 AM

For kids I would recommend ones with foot peg rudders or two man that an adult can steer. Especially young kids as they can get frustrated quickly trying to steer.

I love Kayaking.

unclebilly · unclebilly's Garage

We have 2 of those. The max weight is 100 lbs for ours. At 200 lbs, I am too heavy (don’t ask how I know). Our kids have been using them on our pond for the past 5 or so years. My son has out grown his.

They are a ton of fun (unless you weigh 200 lbs).

Some of the shenanigans on our pond…

https://youtube.com/shorts/MwyuOPeh2kU?si=CIUFMgiobnCxsEVz

vash · vash's Garage

totally safe, but you will need to have an adult nearby no?

if they flip, and float safely with PFD, someone still has to get to them, right?

masraum · 02-24-2026, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

What about a helmet?

I know it’s not white water rafting like we used to do, but….

In the little pond, I don't think a helmet is needed. It's likely a mud bottom, and these are "sit on" not "sit in" kayaks (not sure if those are the technical terms). I suspect they'd dump out before they eneded up upside down.

And while I could see myself taking these to the river, I don't see me taking the grandsons to the river in them. If they were tandem/2man maybe.

masraum · 02-24-2026, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclebilly

We have 2 of those. The max weight is 100 lbs for ours. At 200 lbs, I am too heavy (don’t ask how I know). Our kids have been using them on our pond for the past 5 or so years. My son has out grown his.

They are a ton of fun (unless you weigh 200 lbs).

Some of the shenanigans on our pond…

https://youtube.com/shorts/MwyuOPeh2kU?si=CIUFMgiobnCxsEVz

these are 225# max, so I can fit with some room to spare.

shenanigans indeed!

masraum · 02-24-2026, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vash

totally safe, but you will need to have an adult nearby no?

if they flip, and float safely with PFD, someone still has to get to them, right?

Yeah, there will be an adult nearby (me). We'd likely have to move the canoe and both kayaks to the pond (which would be a huge pain). I suspect this may end up being something that only happens with me and one grandson at a time which may mean that it'll hardly happen at all.

unclebilly · unclebilly's Garage

7 years ago…

freddy67 · 02-25-2026, 02:31 AM

For a small calm pond like that those sit on top kayaks are actually a good choice for kids because they’re very stable and easy to get on and off. They’re not fast, but that’s kind of the point, they feel more like floating platforms than tippy boats. With properly fitted PFDs and you staying close by, risk is pretty low in flat water. Just keep them near shore, avoid windy days since those lightweight boats drift easily, and show them how to get back on if they slide off so nobody panics. For casual paddling they’re about as forgiving as it gets.

masraum · 02-25-2026, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freddy67

For a small calm pond like that those sit on top kayaks are actually a good choice for kids because they’re very stable and easy to get on and off. They’re not fast, but that’s kind of the point, they feel more like floating platforms than tippy boats. With properly fitted PFDs and you staying close by, risk is pretty low in flat water. Just keep them near shore, avoid windy days since those lightweight boats drift easily, and show them how to get back on if they slide off so nobody panics. For casual paddling they’re about as forgiving as it gets.

Thanks, That's what I've been thinking.