Best Kids Paddle Board: Reviews & Comparison

KIDS STAND UP PADDLE BOARD COMPARISON

BEST KIDS PADDLE BOARD REVIEWS

Thurso Surf Prodigy Junior 7′6

BEST KIDS ALL-AROUND PADDLE BOARD

WHAT I LIKE:

WHAT I DON’T LIKE:

– Very stable – Much maneuverable – Extremely well built – Extended deck pad offers good traction, feels comfortable, and drains quickly – Paddle designed for kids by using lightweight and durable material and it is adjustable – Fins set up is easy for your kid – Handy front and rear carry handles – Neat fitting in the bag, with free space to put other stuff on top of it

– No included pump in the package, but most parents have their owns – Not lightweight compared to similar kid SUPs, making it less of a good choice if your kid wants to carry it by itself – Doesn’t track as straight as other boards because it’s got smaller back fins and it’s a little bit shorter and wider. For long touring, you can help it stay straight by attaching it to your board with a rope. – Not as fast as other boards due to their short length. This is the price of maneuvrability. – The bag is not adequate for kids wanting to carry it on their back

Freein Youth SUP 7′8

BEST AFFORDABLE PADDLE BOARD FOR KIDS UNDER 12

WHAT I LIKE:	WHAT I DON’T LIKE:
– Lightweight – Sturdy and durable – Nice design – Super easy to inflate – Easy to carry – Great paddle – Very stable and easy to control – Non-slip deck pad – Easy to deflate and roll up to put back in the bag – Its two-year warranty confirms it is a quality SUP	– Comes with no ankle leash

Bluefin Cruise Junior 8′

BEST PADDLE BOARD FOR KIDS UNDER 5’3

WHAT I LIKE:

WHAT I DON’T LIKE:

– Very stable – Reliable – Good quality – Just over 3 minutes to inflate by an adult – Not wobbly when inflated well – Doable for a child to carry it in its backpack – You get everything to go out with your child – The kayak seat lets your child sit down and paddle when he feels tired and also provide added stability when he is near the weight limit – Paddle is lightweight and very strong – Kick pad allows for advanced turning – Ankle leash does not get in the way because it is coiled – Amazing 5-year warranty on the board and 1-year manufacturing warranty on accessories

– No length indicator on the paddle – I see that the weight capacity of 265 lbs is a little bit exaggerated – Can be pricey for some – Not recommended for over 14 years old childrens

Honu Airlie Kids All-rounder 8′6

LIGHTEST KIDS PADDLE BOARD

WHAT I LIKE:	WHAT I DON’T LIKE:
– Its extremely lightweight makes it very easy to operate by light kids – Easy to carry – Easy to inflate – 8’6 length and large center fin offer great tracking – Easy to control – Fun to paddle – Very impressive construction – Comes with 4 years free repair for any damage – Dual-action feature makes the pump more powerful – 20% off of any bundled paddles	– The package does not include a paddle. I recommend you bundle it with Element Jnr for a 20% discount on the paddle.

FITPULSE Fit Wave 9’5

AFFORDABLE BOARD WITH MOST EXTRAS

WHAT I LIKE:

WHAT I DON’T LIKE:

– Very thick and durable – Durable backpack – Easy for one person to carry it to the beach – Super high quality – Double action pump is easy to use – Packs up nicely in its included backpack – Stable enough – Quick board exchange after the respectful and kind customer support was contacted – The included dry bag is a nice touch that keeps keys and cell phones from getting wet – Comes with a lot of extras

– One owner found that the valve was very difficult to maneuver and ridiculously temperamental and got a tear/hole after three uses – The first board has an imperfect glueing job on top of the pad and around the edges – The multiple designs on top of each other makes the bottom looks out of place

NIXY Huntington G4 Ultra Compact 9′6

BEST OLDER KIDS INFLATABLE PADDLE BOARD

WHAT I LIKE:

WHAT I DON’T LIKE:

– Compact and lightweight – Dual-layer PVC and reinforced rails make it rigid – Easy enough to carry around by your kids – Can also be used by your kid when he became an adult – Lighter than most paddle boards of the same size – Great for adventurous teens – Deck pad is large, comfortable, and grippy helping with balance – Removable front and rear bungee storage areas – D-rings let you attach a kayak seat for times when your child feels tired from standing – The paddle can be assembled using only 3 of the 4 pieces, making it perfect for kids of different ages and easier to pack – Paddle shaft is made of lightweight fiberglass – Paddle blade has a thin design with rigid supports across the front, making it lightweight and rigid – Backpack is compact enough for a kid – Grab handles at nose and tail with removable cover for easy carrying – Dual-chamber pump for faster/easier inflation – Helpful customer support

– Can be pricey for some

BEST KIDS PADDLE BOARD BUYING GUIDE

SIZE

Your best youth paddle board size depends largely on its size and skill level.

I recommend you get a slightly oversized paddle board for your kid in order to be able to use it a few seasons before needing a new one.

LENGTH

Kids’ inflatable paddle boards range between 6 and 10 feet long.

Longer paddleboards are better at tracking, while shorter ones are better at maneuverability.

I recommend you get a 10’ long paddle board for your kid only if it is older and has some paddling skills and you are sure about his ability to maneuver it.

WIDTH

Your kid’s inflatable paddleboard should be between 28” and 30” in order to be comfortable and boosts their confidence, making learning easier.

Wider paddleboards are better at stability and narrower ones are easier for them to reach, paddle, turn, and maneuver.

THICKNESS

The thickness of your kid’s paddleboard is what determines how low your kid is to the water and the weight maximum capacity that the board can support.

Most kids’ inflatable paddle boards are 4” to 5” thick in order to be easier to climb back to and easier to carry under their little arms.

6” thick paddle boards are good for older kids that want something that grows up with them.

The thinner the board, the lighter and easier to move is, but it cannot hold as much weight as a thicker one.

BOARD WEIGHT

The paddle board weight determines if your kid will be able to lift it by himself or not.

The paddle board weight is more important in a kid board than in one for an adult. Especially if your kid wants to carry it around on its own.

A small difference of a few pounds for a kid or a child is relatively heavier than it is for an adult.

A heavier paddle board can support more weight, but it is less maneuverable and hard to lift by your kid.

On the other hand, a lighter paddle board will be easier to carry but will have a smaller weight capacity and tend to be less stable, especially in rougher water conditions.

DURABILITY

Since kids will often crash and get in trouble with their paddle boards, you need to choose an inflatable paddle board that is durable.

Durable inflatable paddle boards made using multiple PVC layer construction and from reputable brands are built to withstand encountered objects in and out of the water like tres and rocks.

DECK PAD

A deck pad is also an important thing to look at because it promotes balance by preventing the kid from slipping.

The best deck pad is one that is large, drains out water quickly when wet, and is made of resistant materials to survive careless use.

FIN SETUP

Fins help the board stability and tracking.

The best fin setup for kids inflatable paddle board is one that has three flexible fins permanently attached because they can’t get lost and are less likely to break.

If your board choice has removable fins, make sure their attaching system is toolless, to have nothing to lose.

APPROPRIATE CHILD’S AGE

There is no appropriate age for your kid to learn how to paddle board, because, with the right safety gear, he can start at almost any age as long as he practices in calm waters.

ACCESSORIES

In order to get the best value for your money, get a board that includes everything your kid will need.

Accessories that must be included are :

• A kid SUP backpack.
• Kids paddle board paddle.
• Ankle leash.

Optional accessories that add value are :

• Hand pump: yes, this is optional because kids should paddle with their parents who alread have an electric or hand pump.
• Repair kit
• Carrying strap
• Floating sunglasses strap
• High-pressure SUP inflator vale

TIPS TO HELP YOU KID LEARN HOW TO PADDLE BOARD

• Work with him perfecting his paddling form at home first, on grass or on the carpet.
• Once in water, take it slowly and be patient.
• Just let him paddle at his own pace and make sure he is out of trouble.
• Encourage your kid on his progress.

FAQ

Updated on January 18, 2022 by Ben