What is the youngest age to take a child on a canoe trip?

Question

Either a day-trip and/or overnight? Thanks!

Answer 1

I would say about 7.  But it really all depends if the kid knows right from wrong.  If they know not to jump out the boat and stay still, it doesnt matter what age!!!  =)  Please don't take a baby though, that would not be good...  Make sure you bring all you need!!

Answer 2

Hi, kids can be pretty young and get some serious enjoyment out of a canoe trip.  If he or she is capable of sitting relatively still and doesn't fuss about wearing a pfd while on the water, you're probably okay.  Granted, you need to be experienced, and know the water your on.   I'd start with a small pond or lake trip of only 10 minutes or so to see how they react.

Friends of mine have 1 daughter and they began taking her on canoe trips when she was 3.  They set her up on the floor in the center of the boat.  She had a piece of foam to sit on, and a lot of small toys - blocks, little dolls, etc.  By the time she was 5 she had already been on a rafting trip in Colorado!  

When she was 6 she came along as the only kid on a 3 day canoe camping trip, and she was hilarious!  She had so much appreciation for the beauty of the river, only a handful of toys came along on the trip, and she had the most active imagination!   Also, she was able to identify several species of birds along the way, and was becoming such a conversationalist with the adults.  

Spending time with your child in a canoe is a great thing to do!  Below are some message threads from a great paddling website - the threads are from people with exactly your same question.  You can see how a good number of experienced paddlers answered your question.  

Have fun!

Answer 3

2 or 3.  as long as they can swim, any age.

Answer 4

when the kid can swim and have the brains to know that they need to stay still in the canoe

Answer 5

Age has little to do with this situation, although it does play some role. The child should be able to swim and survive on his/her own for at least an hour. This ensures the child's safety if the canoe flips or the child is tossed into the water.