Last summer we purchased a sit-on-top kayak for Sunshine at Costco.  I haven’t seen them in the store this summer and couldn’t find them online, but this one is similar, though without the seat. She used it a couple times last summer, but we knew we needed to buy more kayaks so the whole family could get out on the water.

This spring we bought two of these inflatable two person kayaks so Jeremy and I can each take a boy with us.  I also hoped that I’d be able to fit both boys in the kayak with me on the occasions Jeremy can’t come with us.

The boxes sat for about a month before we finally got a chance to take one of them to a lake. We’ve had so much rain this spring that the rivers flooded and it just wasn’t safe to be on the water.

On this occasion, our homeschool group was going to the lake for the afternoon, and I figured it would be a good time for a trial run. Other moms would be around to lend a helping hand if needed, so I felt a lot more confident facing the unknown situation of two toddlers in a kayak. Because let’s face it, just about anything with toddlers is an unknown 🙂

In the end, I didn’t need help, other than carting everything back to the car when we were done. So. Much. Stuff. I went home and ordered a kayak dolly to attach to Sunshine’s kayak, and next time we’ll just load everything on top of that so we only have to make one trip from the car to the beach.

I was concerned that the boys would have a hard time sitting still in the kayak, or would want to climb out into the water, but they did really well. Neither showed any desire to climb out (the cold water might have had something to do with that) and River stayed in his seat up front. Ocean was in the middle and did turn around to face me at one point, but he sat still, so it wasn’t a problem.

Sunshine paddled alongside in her little kayak and we circled the lake, looking at the mountain laurel growing profusely along the shoreline and waving to the fishermen hunkered down in a tiny cove.

Now, I will admit it wasn’t all sunshine and roses. The boys started expressing boredom after about 15 minutes, but we were on the other side of the lake by then, so while they wanted to return to shore so they could play in the sand, they had to wait until I paddled us back around. I fed them some gummy bears and they were content for a bit longer.

I think a larger lake or a river might be more interesting for them, or even letting them “help” paddle. I’ll need to get some paddle leashes (this is the one I’ve ordered, but we haven’t used it yet) before they get to do that, though, since I’m sure the paddles will be dropped multiple times.

So what did I learn from the experience?

1. Be enthusiastic

Kiddos pick up on your attitude, and if you’re stressed out or don’t really want to be there, they’ll know.

2. Feed them first!

Hungry children are cranky children, and cranky children do not make for optimal travel companions.

3. But bring snacks anyway

You never know when you’ll need to bribe a reluctant or impatient 2 year old.

4. Set the rules before you get in the boat

Give them boundaries- no standing up, no switching seats, keep hands and legs in the boat, lifejackets stay on, etc.

5. Start small

We only spent about half an hour on the lake, but the boys started asking to go back to shore about 15 minutes before that. If I’d planned a 2 hour expedition on the lake, it could have ended very badly.

6. Give them something to do while loading and unloading your gear

It can be difficult to haul gear and hang on to wiggly toddlers, so give them a job to do. Have them help carry a kayak or lifejackets, something so they’ll feel helpful and be more likely to stay close to you. Ocean helped carry Sunshine’s kayak, and while I didn’t really need his help, I knew right where he was, and he was so excited to be helping.

7. Have help nearby

I knew this experience could be tricky since it was a new, unfamiliar situation. Since Jeremy wasn’t able to be there to help, having friends nearby who could help, should I need it, was invaluable.

8. Just do it!

Many of us plan adventures for our children to help expand their horizons and learn new things, and leading by example is one of the best things we can do for them. I’ve found that more often than not, my children surprise me with how well they handle new experiences; so I keep reminding myself to look past my fear of the unknown and just do it.

In the end, we had a lot of fun, and are looking forward to our next kayaking adventure. Have you taken your kiddos kayaking? What are some things you’ve learned?