Stability
It’s important to have something really stable with small kids because they can be unpredictable.
For example, this picture shows the moment in the AirFusion EVO where we just about all fell in because my daughter, 2 at the time, leaned over the side.
Fortunately most of our kayaks are extremely stable.
Space and Cockpit Size
You can take small kids kayaking any of our stable kayaks, but you need to consider whether they will fit.
If you look at the AdvancedFrame Kayak as an example, it’s got a standard kayaking sized cockpit. Not super small, you could fit a child in there but if they were on your lap you would have to adjust your kayaking technique, so you’re not whacking them in the head because they’re sitting in the path of the shaft of the paddle.
You could make it work for a short trip and if it’s something you are only doing occasionally, it would be fine. But if you’re going to be taking small kids most of the time, you want a nice wide open cockpit like you get on the AdvancedFrame Sport Kayak and the AdvancedFrame Ultralite Kayak.
Both of these kayaks will fit an adult and a small child. You can just move your seat back and have them up front, or vice versa, move your seat in and have them sort of facing backwards.
Taking the Whole Family
The AdvancedFrame Convertible Elite Kayak and the AdvancedFrame Convertible Kayak can easily fit two adults and two small children.
I haven’t tested it with more, because I only have two, but you could probably fit more than that in.
They are quite spacious kayaks with big wide open cockpits.
Kayaks for Junior Solo Paddlers
If your child is a bit older and they are ready to paddle on their own, the thing you need to look for is something lightweight. The AdvancedFrame Sport at 11.5kg or the AdvancedFrame Ultralite at 8kg are both great options.
Out of the water, your kid might be able to set up and carry the kayak by themselves.
On the water, they can manoeuvre it easily, they can get momentum easily. It doesn’t take a lot of power to get these kayaks going because they’re so light.
