Best Paddle Board for Kids
By: James | Last update: 30 June 2022
Do you want your child to be the next child prodigy in stand up paddle boarding? Or do you simply want him/her to enjoy the summer with this cool board sport? They say that if you want someone to be really good at something, start them young. Tiger Woods started golfing at three years old. And what could go wrong if you train your little one with SUP at a young age? After all, stand up paddle boarding is not only fun to do, but it also improves one’s overall health.
We have gathered the best paddle board for kids to save you time from researching on the boards in the online market. Just head on to each product and see if there’s any that matches your preference.
🥇Best allround inflatable choice
Moai Kids board 8’0″
🥇Best quality/price ratio
Fanatic Ripper Air Touring 10’0″ Kids
🥈Best budget choice
Red Paddle Ride 9’8″
What is the the Best Paddle Board for Kids?
For parents and enthusiasts who found purpose in teaching the young ones about SUP, the question that we often get is this: do I buy a small board or a big SUP (Stand Up Paddle) board for two persons? While there are stand up paddle boards with multiple-person capacity, for the sake of not confusing you in this article, let’s presume that your kid is old enough to do SUP alone. So, this article will consider that your kid (1) knows how to swim and(2) is above five (5) years old. We have a separate article about the best paddle board for two persons which you can access by clicking on the link.
Stand up paddle board for kids are typically smaller. This is mainly because kids and pre-teens have lighter weight, thus, requiring less board volume for buoyancy or flotation. While these boards are smaller, it doesn’t mean that the essential parts like fins, traction pads, and other accessories are out of the main buying considerations.
The best paddle board for kids is something that’s not only durable and lightweight, but it also has to be comfortable to use. Because training kids mostly involves falls, you need to make sure that he/she gets minimal ‘hurts’ from this activity.
Honing a skill is one thing, child safety is another.
Why Choose the Best Paddle Board for Kids?
As a parent, you’d always want the best for your little one. While we understand that not every parent is an expert in spotting the best paddle board for kids, we’ve come up with the perfect choices for you. This article has gathered all essential information that will keep you from shelling off money for the wrong product.
Also, it is our goal to educate every website visitor we get, so just to give you an idea, here are some of the most common stand up paddle boards in the market:
Touring – This paddle board mainly gives comfort. Created for peaceful waters and wide sea paddling, these paddle boards are usually longer than all round paddle boards. For downwinders, they use this when they are touring from one destination to another. The board’s nose is shaped pointed to allow the paddle board to smoothly glide on water. The lengthier the touring paddle board is, the swifter it glidess through the water. On the other hand, stability is a bit affected.
Race – This is almost identical in shape as a touring board. But race boards are more designed for speed. These boards are created longer with pointed noses. On the other hand, they are narrower as compared with touring boards.
All Round – We think that this is the most suitable paddle board for beginners. An all round paddle board gives better stability as compared with the other SUP boards. Generally, these boards are thick with a wider nose and tail. It is designed to provide the most convenience and comfort while paddling.
Surf – The surf paddle board is built for people who prefer extreme board sports. Oftentimes shorter, surf paddle boards give better maneuverability. However, there is a catch. These boards are often slower, but have more stability, especially on flat waters.
Paddle Board for Kids: Where Quality and Comfort Meet
Let’s be honest, you can buy just about any kind of paddle board for your kid because it’s only for training. What some parents fail to consider is this: bad board quality is detrimental to your child’s paddling skills. So, even if you’re starting him/her young, if you’re picking a run-of-the-mill kind of board, then you are not helping in bringing out the best potential from your kid.
Apart from quality, comfort comes next. Kids are kids; they are more energetic with a tendency to move around a lot. While falls are very common during a stand up paddle boarding training, as adults, it is our responsibility to ensure child safety at all times. So, what are the important factors when choosing the best paddle board for kids? Here are some:
- Board Dimensions
- Width and Length
- Thickness
- Type: Inflatable
- Fin Setup
- Other Parts & Accessories
- D-Rings
- Traction Pads
The sliders below will show you what the overall qualities of an kids paddle board are per category:
Common Buying Traps: Do’s and Dont’s in Finding the Best Paddle Board for Kids
When buying a Stand Up Paddle board for ages 5 to 13, keep in mind that the bottomline should always go for quality and comfort. There is no universal or standard SUP board that perfectly fits any young rider. That is why the board options we have gathered for you are carefully picked to meet your requirements as much as possible. In the meantime, here are some buying considerations that might come in handy:
- Take note of your child’s weight and height – Smaller body built does not require a larger board. If you are thinking that a larger board can still work on your little one, you might want to reconsider. A child paddler is more comfortable when the board is closely sized to his/her weight. The size affects overall balance and paddling experience.
- Do not buy a bunch of accessories – Kids outgrow everything. From clothes, shoes, to undies and even paddle boards! Focus in investing for a good board quality, rather than accessories. As your kid grows, he/she will figure out how to spruce up his own board. Don’t shell out a lot of money for these additions.
- Invest in safety gears instead – An extra life jacket and a box full of first aid meds while you’re out in the waters is wise to bring. You’d never know if you’re going to need a bottle of vinegar for that jellyfish sting or some gauze for minor cuts and wounds.
Research Factors for the Best Paddle Board for Kids
To give you a detailed review of the best kids paddle board we have for you, here’s a table you don’t want to miss:
| SUP PlanetⒸ Research Factors🏆 | ||
BOARD DIMENSIONS
A rule of thumb: it’s always good to choose a child-specific paddle board than choosing an adult SUP board on the smallest size range. Why? Because these boards are made specially to cater every young paddler’s needs. Try clicking on the recommendations we have for you above. |
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| WIDTH and LENGTH
Width always affects the board’s stability. Since kids are typically smaller and skinnier than adults, an ideal child-specific paddle board ranges from 7 and 9 feet in length and 28” and 30” wide. Keep in mind that the narrower the width is, the easier it is for a child to paddle and make turns. For pre-teens, a 10-feet board is also a great choice, provided that the width is under 30”. |
THICKNESS
While most advise that you go for a 5-inch thick paddle board, consider your child’s overall built. Because some padde boards that are 4 inches thick work better on slimmer kids. Besides, 4-inch paddle boards are easier to use and carry in and out of the water. But if your kid has a larger built, go for 5- to 6- inch. Thick SUP boards as these can hold up more volume. |
TIPS
● A smaller child has a shorter reach. Keep in mind the board’s width for a better paddling experience ● Kid SUP boards weighing 19lbs. are typically suited for young paddlers with weight of 30 – 12- lbs. ● Kids quickly outgrow boards. So, make sure that you are putting an allowance on the choice you make when it comes to board dimensions. |
TYPE: InflatableIt’s not that we don’t like rigid paddle boards at all. But when it comes to child safety, we’d always vouche for inflatable paddle boards because of the cushioned surface it has. Other than this type of SUP board is ding-resistant, what we like about it is the maximum comfort it brings to young paddlers. So, whenever your child falls off the board, be it five or a hundred times, you’re confident that scratches and bruises are beyond getting. Not only that, inflatable paddle board for kids are also easy to setup, giving you less hassle and prep time. |
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More About the Best Paddle Board for Kids
Fin SetupsThese parts are essential in the board’s traction on the waters. The most common setup called the 2+1 fin setup is the standard fin setup. We think that a permanent fix of three fins is ideal for kids, since they tend to break or lose things easily–and this is a fact! |
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OTHER PARTS and ACCESSORIES● D-Rings – Don’t attach too much, just enough where important kits can be strapped on ● Traction Pads – This helps in improving your child’s non-slip paddling experience. |
Conclusion
Congratulations on passing on the passion! We admire your willingness to train your kid with this awesome sport. Our team has gathered the best paddle board for kids for you. To save you time, just head on to the products we have here and check out if there are any boards that fit your standard. Enjoy paddling with your little protege!
To make your search for the best kids paddle board a lot easier, we have already made a selection for you. View our selection of the best kids stand-up paddle board(s) at the top of the page.
Learn more about stand up paddle boarding by reading other articles from our website!