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5 Best Paddleboards for Kids (2021)

In a time when everyone complains about kids being glued to a screen all day, it’s more important than ever to have fun options for them to get out and enjoy the great outdoors! When we talk about boards for kids, we are usually talking about shorter versions of boards that are meant for adults — but not today!
So, what do we look for in a youth SUP? We start with weight and length since if the board is too big, most kids not named Hercules probably can’t carry it. Also, it should be wider in relation to its length to give them maximum stability as they are learning and growing. Without any further ado, let’s get into the list!

True Wave 8’0 Youth Junior Kids Paddle Board

First off, the color scheme alone looks pretty awesome! But design aside, this is a super lightweight SUP, tipping the scales at less than 12 pounds. The entire deck is textured so you don’t have to worry about junior slipping no matter where he’s standing.

To make sure the paddler has the best tracking possible, there is a single fin on the bottom. So, while this isn’t the fastest board out there, it will make sure the paddler doesn’t veer off too far in either direction unintentionally. As the bonus, the price is right for this since you don’t want to invest too much at first in case your child finds out this SUPing isn’t for them.

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Bestway Aqua Journey Inflatable Kids Paddle Board

Now we’re getting to a board this is more for youths than younger children. Compared to some of the other models on this list, it can hold more weight — 209 pounds in this case. This is a great steppingstone to larger SUPs since the diamond traction pad on the deck is more akin to what they’ll find in the average adult board.

This board is a bit narrower than most youth boards which means that it can go faster for the sturdier and more serious paddler. Since this means that they’ll be going out further, it’s coloring makes it very easy to spot just in case you have to go and chase after them! Bestway included everything that you’ll need to get started, such as the aluminum paddle, hand pump, travel bag and leash.

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AIRHEAD POPSICLE 730 ISUP Kids Paddle Board

Now we’re starting to get more into premium territory. This is a SUP that’s more than just a SUP and lets you do more with the board than with the others on this list. First off, the deck is extremely comfortable to both stand and lie down. Why is lying down important? We’re so glad you asked!

If you look at the front of the board toward the nose, you’ll see a centralized D-ring. When most boards have a central D-ring, it’s for a leash. However, this one, while it can still be used for a leash, is reinforced to be used to connect to other boards or even to the back of a boat. That’s right, you can take this bad boy for a ride with the kids out back! It was specially designed for this as it has a thicker board with a higher weight limit, so you could even have a couple of kids riding behind the boat at once.

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Aqua Marina Beginner Inflatable Kid Paddle Board

This can be considered the most serious board here on the list, built for the youth that’s about to graduate to adult boards but still needs to do some more training. Deck has something that we haven’t seen yet on this list — bungee storage and extra D-rings. That alone tells you that this is designed to be out on the water for a while since it gives the paddler the ability to bring gear with them.

Another neat feature is that while many of the D-rings can be used to haul gear, they’re also designed for a kayak seat. More than just that, you’ll notice there is extra material around the front of the board. These are stabilizers that make this about as balanced as you can imagine so you can feel good about taking your kids to choppier waters while still staying safe.

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Aqua Marina Vibrant Inflatable Kids Paddle Board

And here we are ending our list with another Aqua Mariana. They aren’t a youth brand exclusively but they do just happen to make great boards for the kids! We included this one because it’s the one that feels the most like hardboard for kids and it’s the longest on the list, coming in at 8’7”.

The last model we mentioned was more versatile while this is built more for speed than stability. Something we love about this design is that it looks like something out of a Nickelodeon commercial, which kids are drawn to. Keep in mind, though, that this doesn’t come with a paddle or leash, so you’ll need to get those separate.

Hopefully, we’ve given you some options so that you don’t leave your kids on the beach while you have fun on your own SUP. Paddleboarding is a great activity for anyone but it can be especially fun with the whole family!

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