Best Kids Kayak for the money 2022
Kayaking is an amazing way to spend the afternoon. Whether you’re an avid kayak angler with a decked out fishing kayak or you simply enjoy spending some time out on the water, it’s also an amazing activity for young children to do as well.
Not only is it great fun for kid, but there are kayaks specifically made for their smaller size, and just because they’re small doesn’t mean that they were built robustly. Some of these kayaks can hold up to 160lbs with ease, which is more than some fully grown adults weigh. If you’re looking to enjoy the outdoors with you son, daughter, niece, nephew or anyone young in age, kayaking is an amazing way to do so. Simply hit the water for an afternoon of evening or paddling around or relaxing fishing.
If you find yourself on the market for a child’s kayak then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of the best kids fishing kayaks and best all-around children’s kayaks. If you’re on the market for a child’s kayak or you’re just looking for some of the best kayaks for kids, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are our picks for the best kayaks for kid for the money in 2022.
Enjoy Our Kayaks For Children Reviews
| Image | Name | Top Choices | Latest Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1. Lifetime Youth Wave | Our Favorite | Amazon |
![]() | 2. Old Town Heron Junior Kids' Kayak | Premium Pick | Amazon |
![]() | 3. Best Choice Products Sports 6-Foot Kids' Kayak | Great Value | Amazon |
![]() | 4. Sun Dolphin Bali 6-foot Sit-on-Top Kayak | Amazon | |
![]() | 5. Intex Challenger K1 Kayak | Amazon |
Pricing of these Kids Kayaks Range Between $60-$340
Lifetime Youth Wave Review
The Lifetime Youth Wave is a kayak meant for use by kids as young as 5 years old, for as long as they have proper adult supervision. It is 6 feet long and 2 feet wide. It weighs 18 pounds but is rated to carry a load of up to 130 pounds.
This kids’ kayak is made of high-density polyethylene, making it durable and impact-resistant. It’s remarkably stable with a flip-resistant hull. It also features twin fins for great tracking. These features make it not only easier but also safer for children.
The molded top of this kayak makes it comfortable to sit on, even for long periods of time. It has a swim-up deck to make it easier for kids to get on. It also has multiple footrests to accommodate a variety of leg lengths and positions. Additionally, it has molded finger handles on both sides.
The Lifetime Youth Wave kids’ kayak comes in a variety of bright colors including blue, green, orange, pink, and yellow. It also comes with a youth-sized paddle.
Pros
- 6 x 2 feet
- Lightweight
- 130-pound capacity
- Durable high-density polyethylene construction
- Impact-resistant
- Remarkably stable
- Flip-resistant hull
- Great tracking
- Comfortable
- Molded swim-up deck
- Multiple footrests
- Molded finger handles on both sides
- Variety of colors
- Includes youth-sized paddle
Cons
- No seat or backrest included
Old Town Heron Junior Kids’ Kayak Review
The Heron Junior Kids’ Kayak by Old Town measures 89 x 25 x 16.2 inches and weighs 26 pounds. In total, it can safely carry a load of up to 115 pounds. It comes in a bright sunrise-hued gradient and boasts a solid single-layer polyethylene construction.
Also, this kayak was designed with a foam billet. That makes it impressively buoyant and relatively lightweight. It is meant to give children greater control and stability when paddling.
Apart from control and stability, the Old Town Heron Junior Kids’ Kayak tracks straight and glides really well. Additionally, it turns easily and is generally easy to maneuver.
The Heron Junior is a sit-inside kids’ kayak and has a contoured seat specifically shaped to be comfortable for children. Because kids aren’t expected to carry this 7.5-foot kayak to the water on their own, the handles on both the bow and stern are very useful.
The kayak also has Old Town’s Tag Along Tow System that makes it easy to tow it to shore when the kids are tired of paddling. This is also useful to let younger kids join in on the fun and simply be pulled along.
Pros
- 89 x 25 x 16.2 inches
- Weighs 26 pounds
- Bright sunrise-hued gradient
- Solid single-layer polyethylene construction
- Foam billet
- Great control, stability, and maneuverability
- Sit-inside style
- Contoured seat
- Handles on both the bow and stern
- Features Old Town’s Tag Along Tow System
Cons
- No paddle included
- No footrests
Best Choice Products Sports 6-Foot Kids’ Kayak Review
The 6-foot kids’ kayak by Best Choice Products is a sit-on-top kayak that comes with a padded backrest and a youth-sized two-fin paddle. It’s essentially ready to be taken to the water right out of the box.
It measures 72 x 26 x 7 inches and is remarkably lightweight at 18 pounds. Even so, it has the capacity to carry a load of up to 121 pounds.
This kids’ kayak has a hull that specifically designed for kids to have maximum stability and maneuverability. Additionally, there are handles on both sides and it also features a skeg wheel, allowing you to drag it on one side without damaging it.
This makes it easy to handle out of the water. Both the bow and the stern have storage compartments. One has a net-laced covering while the other secures items using a bungee cord.
The Best Choice Products Sports 6-Foot Kids’ Kayak features a molded seat with a backrest that folds down so it’s out of the way when it’s being transported. There are multiple footrests to accommodate kids of various leg lengths. It even has a convenient bottle holder in front of the seat.
Pros
- Includes fold-down padded backrest
- Includes youth-sized two-fin paddle
- 72 x 26 x 7 inches
- Lightweight at 18 pounds
- 121-pound weight capacity
- Maximum stability and maneuverability
- Handles on both sides
- Easy-roll skeg wheel
- Net-covered rear storage
- Bungee cord-secured front storage
- Molded seat
- Multiple footrests
- Convenient bottle holder
Sun Dolphin Bali 6-foot Sit-on-Top Kayak Review
The Bali 6-foot Sit-on-Top Kayak by Sun Dolphin is a recreational kayak made specifically for kids. It measures 72 x 25.25 inches, weighs 28 pounds, and has the capacity to carry a maximum of 140 pounds. Each purchase includes a lightweight kid-sized paddle.
Although this kids’ kayak doesn’t have a seat, the seating area is quite large and the swim-up deck provides ample back support.
For extra comfort, there are molded-in graduated foot wells to accommodate various positions or leg lengths. There is also a molded paddle holder to keep from losing the paddle when the child is tired from paddling.
The Sun Dolphin Bali 6-foot Sit-on-Top Kayak is made of tough Fortiflex High-Density Polyethylene that’s UV-stabilized. It is designed for remarkable tracking, stability, and maneuverability. It also has handles on both sides so it’s easy to carry outside the water and it can also be towed along while on the water.
Pros
- Sit-on-top style
- 72 x 25.25 inches
- Includes paddle
- Swim-up deck doubles as backrest
- Multiple molded foot wells
- Molded paddle holder
- Fortiflex High-Density Polyethylene construction
- Handles on front and rear
Cons
- Relatively heavy at 28 pounds
- No seat
Intex Challenger K1 Kayak Review
The Challenger K1 Kayak by Intex is a full-sized, 9-foot inflatable kayak that is nimble and maneuverable enough for older kids to use. It measures 108 x 30 x 15 inches and weighs 27.2 pounds.
As expected of Intex inflatables, the Challenger K1 Kayak boasts a heavy duty puncture-resistant vinyl construction. Overall, it can safely carry a load of up to 220 pounds.
This kayak has inflatable I-beam floors for maximum stability and has two separate air chambers for safety. It also has an inflatable seat and backrest for optimum comfort. Its low profile makes it ideal for use on calm rivers and lakes.
Also, it has a removable skeg to provide excellent directional stability. There are grab lines on both sides and the front is covered with cargo netting to secure personal items like your child’s favorite ultralight fishing rod and reel combo.
The Intex Challenger K1 Kayak comes in a bright green color with eye-catching graphics in black. Every purchase includes an 84-inch aluminum oar, a high-output hand pump, a US Coast Guard ID, and a repair kit. This kayak is NMMA-certified and TUV-approved.
Pros
- Nimble and maneuverable
- 108 x 30 x 15 inches
- Weighs 27.2 pounds
- Heavy duty puncture-resistant vinyl construction
- 220-pound weight capacity
- I-beam floors for stability
- 2 air chambers for safety
- Inflatable seat and backrest for comfort
- Low profile
- Removable skeg for tracking
- Grab lines on stern and bow
- Cargo netting for storage
- Bright green color with eye-catching graphics
- Includes 84-inch aluminum oar
- Includes high-output hand pump
- Includes US Coast Guard ID
- Includes repair kit
- NMMA-certified and TUV-approved












