Stand Up Paddle Boarding is an incredibly fun way to recreate with your whole family on the water. Often, we can paddle with young children with us right on the front of our all-around inflatable SUPs. But as kids get a little older, a little bigger, and a little more independent, there comes a time when everyone is going to have even more fun when the kids graduate to their own paddle boards.
For many kids, a full-size all-around iSUP is just too big to be able to reasonably paddle. The extra length and width of these boards make them harder for kids to maneuver, to paddle straight, and to carry to the water and get inflated.
Luckily, there are a variety of iSUPs on the market made just for kids! These boards are not only shorter and narrower but also thinner. This makes them easier to carry, inflate, and use on the water.
When choosing the best paddle boards for kids, there are a few things to keep in mind. Many basics of choosing a paddle board are the same – you must consider and balance sizing, construction, and cost. With a kid’s board, you also want to think about room to grow with your little one and (as the third child myself) whether or not there are more kids coming up the line to use the board afterward!
Below is a list of our favorite kid’s iSUPs and why we like them. We started with the basics like size and construction but also considered the board’s “growability” and, of course, sought the input of younger paddlers using these boards.
Best Paddle Board for Kids Comparison Chart
| section-hd | Top-Rated Paddleboards for Kids |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOARD | DIMENSIONS | CAPACITY | WARRANTY | PRICE | |
| Thurso Adept | Thurso Adept
| 9’ x 28" x 4.7" 19 pounds | 120 lbs | 2 years, 30-day return period | Read Full Review Check Price |
| Retrospec Weekender Nano | Retrospec Weekender Nano
| 8’ x 29" x 5" 12.2 pounds | 140 lbs | 2 years, 50-day return period | Read Full Review Check Price |
| Gili Cuda 9’ / 8’ | Gili Cuda 9’ / 8’
| 9’ / 8’ x 30" x 4" 18 pounds | 130 lbs | 2 years, 60-day return period | Read Full Review Check Price |
| Thurso Prodigy Jr. | Thurso Prodigy Jr.
| 7’6” x 30" x 4" 19 pounds | 80 lbs | 2 years, 30-day return period | Review Coming Soon Check Price |
| Bluefin Cruise Jr. | Bluefin Cruise Jr.
| 8’ x 29" x 5" TBD pounds | 160 lbs | 5 years, 30-day return period | Review Coming SoonCheck Price |
| Honu Arlie | Honu Arlie
| 8’6” x 27" x 4.7" 12 pounds | 150 lbs | 4 years, 30-day return period | Review Coming SoonCheck Price |
| Bote FlowRider Aero 8’ | Bote FlowRider Aero 8’
| 8’ x 32" x 6" 15 pounds | 150 lbs | 2 years, 30-day return period | Read Full Review Check Price |
Thurso Adept
9’ x 28” x 4.7”
Availability: US, CAN, UK, EU
Read Full Review
The Thurso Adept is our top pick for a kid-specific iSUP. It uses the same excellent construction as the highly rated Water Walker series iSUPs, including the carbon fiber reinforced rail and woven drop stitch fabric. At 9′ x 28″, there’s plenty of stability for smaller children without being so wide that it can be difficult to paddle straight. The 9′ length will keep working for your kids as they grow. Most importantly, though, it was one of our young testers’ favorites!
Because the Adept is meant to be a “youth” paddle board but not specifically for smaller children, it does come with a full-size paddle for paddlers at least 4′ 11″ tall. Smaller paddlers who need a shorter paddle may be more comfortable on the Thurso Prodigy (which comes with a kid-size paddle) or with another option below.
Check the best price for the Adept Youth iSUP by Thurso Surf
Retrospec Weekender Nano
8’ x 29” x 5”
Availability: US
Read Full Review
The Retrospec Weekender Nano is a great size for the younger paddlers in your life. But what is even more impressive, especially compared to a few other boards on this list, is the Nano’s kid-friendly price tag.
We all know how fast children grow, so it can be hard to decide whether to buy something that works well for them now and potentially needs to be replaced sooner or something that will be too big for them (and possibly ruin the fun) to squeeze out an extra season or two. With the wallet-friendly Nano, you can have your kids paddling comfortably and proficiently with a great-quality kit, kid’ s-size board, and kid’ s-size paddle.
Bottom Line: The Retrospec Weekender Nano is a kid-size paddle board available at a price that won’t dip into their college fund!
Check the best price for the Weekender Nano iSUP by Retrospec
Gili Cuda 9’/8’
9’/8’ x 30” x 4.0”
Availability: US, International Shipping Available
Read Full Review
The Gili Sports Cuda Kids iSUP shares the same construction and similar feature set as the popular Gili Air iSUP, and it comes in two different sizes. The Cuda 8′ is 8′ long, 30″ wide, and 4″ thick, with a weight capacity of 95 lbs. The Cuda 9′ is 9′ long, 30″ wide, and 4″ thick, with a weight capacity of 130 lbs.
The shorter version is more maneuverable, while the longer version tracks straighter. For most children, this difference won’t be particularly noticeable until they get a bit of experience under their belts. I prefer the Cuda 9′ version because it will continue to work well for kids as they grow into their early teens, when they may outgrow the Cuda 8′ but are not yet ready for a full-size paddleboard.
Bottom Line: The Gili Cuda offers a large feature set and two sizes to best fit your kids’ needs without breaking the bank.
Check the best price for the Cuda 8′ and 9′ by Gili Sports
Thurso Prodigy Jr.
7.5’ x 30” x 4”
Availability: US, CAN, UK, EU
Full Review Coming Soon
The Thurso Prodigy Jr. is the smallest iSUP on our list, just 7.5′ long. It is 30″ wide, adding volume and stability compared to a narrower kids’ iSUP. Because of its shorter length and lower weight capacity, the Prodigy Jr. is best for younger kids, or as a first Surf SUP for older kids.
The Prodigy Jr. also gets the same excellent materials and construction as Thurso’s full-size iSUPs without carbon fiber rail reinforcements. This helps keep costs down, but the additional stiffening is unnecessary on such a short iSUP. The Prodigy Jr. SUP also comes with a right-sized paddle for kids, rather than the full-size paddle that comes with the Thurso Adept.
Bottom Line: The Thurso Prodigy Jr. is great for younger children or as a Surf SUP for older kids.
Check the best price for the Prodigy Jr. by Thurso Surf
Bluefin Cruise Jr.
8’ x 29” x 5”
Availability: US, CAN, UK, EU, AUS
The Bluefin Cruise Jr. is a smaller version of the popular Bluefin Cruise 10’8″. It’s not only shorter, though, but it’s also narrower and thinner (8′ x 29″ x 5″). This makes a much better fit for kids while using the same materials and construction as the full-size version.
The thinner profile keeps kids closer to the water for improved balance, and the narrower outline, though still stable, makes it much easier for them to paddle in a straight line.
The Cruise Jr. also includes a kayak seat and kayak paddle conversion with the kit.
Bottom Line: The Bluefin Cruise Jr. is a great kit with a kayak seat.
Check the best price for the Cruise Jr. by Bluefin
Honu Arlie
8.5’ x 27” x 4.7”
Availability: US, UK, EU, AUS
The Honu Arlie shares the same ultralight, high-performance design and construction as the full-size Honu Byron. At 27″ wide, the Arlie is the narrowest iSUP on this list, but it still has excellent stability and great surfability. It’s also the only iSUP on this list to include a raised kick-pad on the board’s tail to allow your littles to work on more advanced maneuvers like pivot turns and give them better control when riding the waves. The US fin box also opens up a world of performance changes for different water conditions. While it doesn’t include a paddle with the kit, Honu also offers a kid’s size paddle with a nylon blade and carbon fiber/fiberglass shaft.
Bottom Line:The Honu Arlie is the high-performance iSUP designed just for kids (but we won’t tell anyone if you hop on to catch a wave to two!).
Check the best price for the Arlie by Honu
Bote FlowRider 8’ Aero
8’ x 32” x 6”
Availability: US, CAN
Read Full Review
Bote’s new FlowRider Aero is today’s only kid-size full-hybrid paddleboard kit. In addition to expanding the FlowRider’s size and capacity from the previous generation Flow, Bote also includes a high-quality inflatable kayak seat and convertible paddle.
The extra large fin makes the FlowRider Aero easier for kids to paddle straight, and the new paddle is also lighter and easier to use.
Bottom Line: The Bote FlowRider Aero 8’ is not just a kid’s iSUP but an inflatable kayak in one package.
Check the best price for the FlowRider Aero 8’ by Bote
Best Paddle Boards for Kids – FAQs
What Makes a Paddleboard Good for a Kid?
Picking a paddle board for a child has the same process and concerns for adults. You want to match the paddle board size to the rider size and ensure that it has all of the features you want and need. Durability is also a key concern with kids’ iSUPs as they may be more likely to drag, drop, bump, or otherwise use their new iSUP in some rather inventive ways! Lastly, consider your child’s growth. Buying a board that barely fits them now means it’s not likely to fit next year.
What Do I Need to Paddle With My Kids?
Aside from your own regular paddle boarding gear, your kids will need their own set (SUP, Paddle, Fins, Leash) and their own well-fitted life jacket/PFD. PFDs should be worn by all paddlers. However, many locations require people under a certain age to wear a PFD while paddling by law, so make sure to check. Only use certified flotation devices. Pool toys like water wings are not life-saving equipment, and certain styles can be dangerous to wear in the water.
What Other Considerations Are There When Paddling With Kids?
Plan short trips with lots of breaks, especially for younger children. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen. Check the weather forecast — including wind and tides — to ensure that conditions will be safe for kids on their own iSUPs.
Fish Tag – A Fun SUP Game for Kids and Adults
All you’ll need for this game is 6-12 “fish” made with a cut-up foam pool noodle and some long tube socks or strips of old shirts. Cut the pool noodles into sections 3″ wide and tie one to each end of the fabric so they float.
Pick a calm section of water and spread the “fish” out 10-15′ apart from each other. Everyone starts 10′ away from the fish, and everyone begins on the count of three.
There are (at least) three different ways to play.
The first is to collect as many fish as you can by paddling over, picking them up using only your paddle, and putting them on your board. Use a short timer (2-3 minutes) or go until all the fish are collected.
Another way to play is to place as many fish onto someone else’s paddle board as possible. The person with the most fish on their board at the end of the timer is “out,” and the game repeats until there is one winner. Again, you can only touch the fish with your paddle.
Finally, for older kids (and adults), you can up the ante of the previous game by throwing the fish at each other’s boards using your paddle.
Final Thoughts – Best Paddle Boards for Kids
Paddle boarding with your kids can be a wonderful and fulfilling activity for the whole family. You can also use this as a great opportunity to engage your kids in more than just splashing around! Have them help you pick a location, check the weather, and pack the equipment. Looking for wildlife, learning about your environment, and even picking up litter can all be fun activities. Letting your kids lead you on a trip of their own can be just as exciting (or more!) and help them build confidence and develop critical thinking and planning skills while having a great time paddling.