River tubing with young kids?

[Anonymous]

I went to one in VA that was super shallow and slow (you could stand up at any time). The kids must wear life jackets of course. But if it is like I am describing (NO white water—not after heavy rain ), it might be okay. And if he could tie the tubes together (or get a two-man tube with the little one.

My only concern is if you are heading for a downed tree or something, the kids might not have the strength or wherewithal to avoid the obstacle.

A lazy river in a water park might be safer until they are older (but still wear a PFD)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree they might be bored. We took our kids tubing a few years ago when they were maybe 9 and 11, and we had really talked it up because we remembered it being so fun (in college, ha) They were so disappointed at how slow and boring it was.

Yeah if you aren’t drinking what’s the point?

[Anonymous]

FCPS Water Mine park has a lazy river. This is the right choice.

[Anonymous]

We just went tubing in the NC mountains with a 7 year old (and a 75 year old) and everyone had a great time. It was a fairly shallow river, but not everywhere.

[Anonymous]

It's a gigantic lazy river.

I presume you're going with a company or on your own? Either way, there's a safety video, you wear water shoes, you can tether the tube, and you go out for like an hour (maybe 90 min). Wear sunscreen and a hat. Bring a special drink for your kid (we vrought gatorade), and enjoy.


Depending on where you are, you might have heavy sentiment from the runoff from the KY floods draining into the said river you're floating on.

[Anonymous]

Would not do this given the many other opportunities you can do with kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Harper's Ferry? Tubing in WV is basically a floating frat party. It's a bunch of 20-somethings floating down the river getting drunk. Like, drinking a fifth of vodka straight out of the bottle kind of drunk.

In other words, it's not a family-friendly environment.

Oh, is this true? Bummer! Was planning to take my (older) kids! Maybe we’ll pass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCPS Water Mine park has a lazy river. This is the right choice.

This!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Watermelon park has tubing that is easy and great for little kids. Slow moving water, mostly shallow.

I was going to suggest this too. If you follow the rules it’s very safe. You can stop and get out and play in the water while you float towards the end of it. We’ve gone lots of times.

[Anonymous]

I am generally a go getter in terms of experiences with my kids. But this gives me pause with a 5 year old. Not saying I’d say no, but I’d have to know a lot more about safety.

[Anonymous]

I did it with younger kids. As others have said, depends on the river. Flat slow shallow is totally fine. Whitewater rafting…no. In the brandywine, where I took the kids, the water was inches deep in most places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Harper's Ferry? Tubing in WV is basically a floating frat party. It's a bunch of 20-somethings floating down the river getting drunk. Like, drinking a fifth of vodka straight out of the bottle kind of drunk.

In other words, it's not a family-friendly environment.

+1

Have to agree. Similar to the Disney crowd - LOTS of tattoos. Not that there is anything wrong with that, of course.

[Anonymous]

We tube in the Patapsco and Yeoughiogheny River and it is fine. Kids are 5 and 15.

[Anonymous]

Please keep your kids off the river until they’re old enough for me to bum a smoke off them.