kayak/canoe with kids under 7

[Anonymous]

We'd like to take our kids kayaking or canoeing in the DC metro area. We have a 6 (almost 7) YO who has kayaked before at camp. Younger child is 3. Clearly we would do 2 2-seater kayaks. Is this crazy? DH says that most kayak rental places will not allow a 3YO in a kayak. Note: we aren't trying to do any rapids or anything like that... ideally a lake or lazy river. Any suggestions would also be helpful (besides Fletcher/Thompson boat house).

[Anonymous]

Lake Needwood or Little Seneca MOCO rentals. We just pop our kids in the front seat.

[Anonymous]

We started canoeing with our son when he was 20 months old, but we used our own canoe. Will the Bladensburg Waterfront Park allow younger kids? It's worth calling them and asking!

[Anonymous]

We've enjoyed Lake Needwood (Rockville, MD) for low-key boating.

http://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/lake-needwood-boats/

They rent out kayaks, canoes, rowboats, and pedal boats, and there are always lots of families there.

[Anonymous]

At Fletcher, I don't think there is an age requirement for canoeing, they just ask if your kid can swim. We've done the canoeing on the canal with our 3yo and it was fun.

We ended up just getting our own kayaks so we can go anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lake Needwood or Little Seneca MOCO rentals. We just pop our kids in the front seat.

We did this at that age. It was fine. I'd be more comfortable if the child can swim and can tread water but they all wear life jackets and plenty of other people around in the local lakes. Canoe is easier as all can go in one boat. Row boats were too hard. We did it and gave up.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. I feel like canoeing is hard because canoes are pretty heavy. DH and I have kayaked before (definitely not experts) so I figure how much harder can it be if we plop a child in front? (of course the older child can help row).

[Anonymous]

We do it at my parents' lake house starting when the kids are 2.5. (They are winter bdays, and 18 months is too young.)


Call ahead if you're worried about policies or availability of appropriate life vests, but this seems completely normal to me.

[Anonymous]

we have our own kayaks and our son was in there around 1.5 yo. He's almost 4 now and loves to go - we bought him a little paddle which he brings along to help row.

[Anonymous]

as someone who frequently canoes and kayaks, canoeing is definitely safer than a kayak, especially as you're not experts. A child leaning over or trying to stand isn't going to disrupt a canoe- thy can easily tip a kayak. Unless you are very comfortable and know what to do about righting your boat and getting bit you and your child back in, I'd stick with canoeing, even though the boat seems more cumbersome.

[Anonymous]

Took kids kayaking first when they were around 20 months and almost 3yo. Both did great.

[Anonymous]

Reviving this thread -- any recommendations on best places to rent a kayak or canoe in DMV area for an afternoon with little kids? I have two 4 yos. We live in Bethesda, so would be willing to do something either in DC or in MoCo per prior suggestions. Neither my husband nor I are experienced kayakers or canoers, so looking for something fairly dummy proof for our family of 4.

[Anonymous]

Fletcher’s boathouse.
Seneca lake in moco- I’m pretty sure we took our daughter there when she was probably 3 in a tandem kayak.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fletcher’s boathouse.
Seneca lake in moco- I’m pretty sure we took our daughter there when she was probably 3 in a tandem kayak.

Sorry, that’s Seneca creek state park- but you kayak on a lake.

[Anonymous]

Canoing is easier with small kids. Easier to get them in and out, and more stable. Also, if the kid did fall out (unlikely), I think it would be easier to jump out of a canoe to grab the kid than to extricate yourself from a kayak.