In a world of social media apps and video games, getting families up and moving together can be a real challenge.
Kayaking can be a great way to get kids and adults off the couch and out in nature. Kayaking builds confidence, coordination, and a love for the outdoors. It can be enjoyed by all ages and ability levels. Here are some simple, safe games and activities that can make every outing a kid-friendly adventure.
Kayak Safety First: Setting Kids Up for Fun
Taking the time to learn basic kayak safety rules is important for on-the-water fun.
Essential kayak safety basics for kids
- Always wear a properly fitted PFD (personal flotation device)
- Stay close to shore or in calm flatwater when playing games
- Use sun protection
- Stay hydrated
Kayak game-playing ground rules
- No intentionally bumping boats
- Paddles stay low to the water at all times
- Listen to adults and obey quickly
Choose the right kayak for safety
- Sit-on-top designs are usually more stable
- A tandem with an adult on board is great for younger paddlers
- Brooklyn Kayak Company offers excellent sit-on-top and tandem kayaks for family adventures
Skill-Building Kayak Games that Go the Distance
Make kayaking more fun by using games to “secretly” teach paddling skills. These kayak games can also help kids keep paddling when you have distance to cover.
Follow the Leader
- How to play: An adult or more experienced paddler leads. Kids copy turns, stops, and gentle speed changes. Requires a large space of open water.
- Kayak skills: Teaches young paddlers boat control, following instructions, and spatial awareness
One-Two-Three Speed Game
- How to play: Everyone paddles at 1 (easy), 2 (moderate), 3 (sprint) as the leader calls out the numbers. The leader can up the tempo of the changes to make it more difficult and more fun.
- Kayak skills: Understanding stroke power, changing pace, and basic endurance
Leapfrog Lines
- How to play: Have all paddlers form a line; the child in the back paddles around the group to become the new leader, then repeat with the last paddler “leaping” to the front of the line.
- Kayak skills: Forward paddling, turning, passing safely, confidence in moving around other boats.
Kayak Skills Building Games for Splashy, Silly Fun
These fun kayak games don’t require much gear, just an open expanse of water. You can choose to have elimination rounds and award a winner or create an entire tournament of games. Winners can get special privileges, a small prize, or simply the joy of victory.
Sharks and Minnows
- How to play: Create boundaries around a particular area. Choose one (or two) paddlers to be “sharks”. Other kayakers are “minnows”. Sharks try to tag the fish with their hands or by splashing water (never with boats or paddles). Tagged fish become sharks. The last fish standing (or floating) is the winner.
- Kayak skills: Quick starts and stops, directional changes, situational awareness.
Water Dragon Animal Game
- How to play: Pick 5 animals numbered 1-5. (For example: 1. Cat 2. Dog 3. Pig 4. Monkey 5. Water Dragon). Everyone starts on animal one. The group paddles around making the animal sound. When they approach someone making the same sound, they challenge each other to a game of rock-paper-scissors. The winner moves up to the next animal. The loser stays the same animal. The first person to make it through all the animals becomes the Water Dragon and gets to splash the rest of the group. (If there is someone left as the only animal so they can’t find anyone else to challenge, they can play an adult.)
- Kayak skills: Social interaction, playful competition, relaxed boat handling
Sponge Toss (or Paddler in the Middle)
- How to play: Simply toss a sponge or water ball between kayaks, trying not to drop them. For a more challenging game, place kayaks in a large circle (with enough space for a kayak to fit between each person and for one or two kayaks to be in the center). Have the ring of kayaks toss the ball or sponge to someone in the circle (but not right next to them). The paddler in the middle tries to snatch the object. Then they can go to the outer circle while the one who threw the sponge or ball gets to be in the middle.
- Kayak skills: Balance while reaching, gentle maneuvering, hand-eye coordination needed for kayaking.
Classics like obstacle courses, row-and-retrieve games, and races are also great fun for older paddlers.
Kayak Skill-Building Activities for Quiet, Curious Kids
For more understated kayak games that focus on exploration more than competition, try these adventures.
Wildlife and Nature Scavenger Hunt
- How to play: Create a simple checklist (birds, shells, bridges, colors in the water) for kids to spot from their kayaks. You can come prepared with a list for a familiar route, or make items up as you go along like an “I Spy” game.
- Kayak skills: Observation, environmental awareness, patience while kayaking
Storytime on the Water
- How to play: At a calm spot, pause paddling, and read a story (brought from home in a dry bag) or let kids tell a kayak adventure story, letting everyone add to the story as you go along.
- Kayak skills: Imagination, listening, making positive kayaking memories
Floating Picnic Break
- How to play: Plan a short snack stop on shore or in a calm cove; kids help “prepare” the picnic from their kayaks. Choose kid-friendly food that travels well and focus on hydration.
- Kayaking skills: Transitions in and out of kayaks, simple routines, balance, kayak safety
Age-Appropriate Tips: Toddlers, Tweens, and Teens
Always make sure to match your activities with the skill level of your paddlers.
- Toddlers / Early Elementary: Focus on short, simple kayak games with lots of breaks (scavenger hunts, gentle Follow the Leader, floating picnic)
- Older kids / Tweens: More active kayak games that challenge skills but stay in calm water (Sharks and Minnows, Leapfrog, speed games)
- Teens: Longer kayak outings, friendly competitions, or integrating more advanced challenges like small races or navigation tasks.
With a bit of preparation, family kayak outings on the water can be the perfect mix of fun and skill-building. Brooklyn Kayak Company has great kayaks for families who love to adventure together. Stable sit-on-tops, tandems, and singles offer family-friendly features to make your time on the water comfortable and safe.