Best Kids Kayaks
Updated How we research
Pelican Solo 6 Feet Sit-on-top Youth Kayak with Paddle, Safety Flag and Backrest, Red
Pelican's Solo 6 Feet youth sit-on-top in Red, bundled with a paddle, a flag and a backrest for young paddlers.
Perception Hi Five Sit on Top Kids Kayak with Paddle and Solo Mount Base, up to 120 lbs, 6 ft 6 in
Perception's Hi Five kids sit-on-top, up to 120 lbs, with a paddle and a Solo Mount base for adding an accessory.
A kayak sized for an adult is hard work for a child, because the cockpit is too big, the boat is too heavy to control, and the width forces an awkward stroke. Youth models shrink the hull and the deck height so a young paddler can actually reach the water and steer. What varies is length, seat and backrest support, weight limit, carry weight, and whether the design lets a child climb back on unaided. We weighed stability and low carry weight against a hull that still moves when a small paddler puts effort in. Sit-on-top designs suit warm water and first outings, since falling off is part of the fun. Slightly longer models suit older or taller kids who want to keep up. Match the paddle length to the child, and use a properly fitted life jacket every time.
The short version
We compared 7 picks. Our scores range from 7.3 to 8.4 out of 10.
- Best overall:Pelican Solo 6 Feet Sit-on-top Youth Kayak with Paddle, Safety Flag and Backrest, Red. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.4/10.
- Also great value:Perception Hi Five Sit on Top Kids Kayak with Paddle and Solo Mount Base, up to 120 lbs, 6 ft 6 in. Value score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Solid build:Lifetime Dash 66 Youth Sit-on-Top Kayak with Paddle, 6.5-Foot, Lime Green, Model 90856. Build and materials score of 7/10, overall 8.2/10.
- Feature-rich:Pelican Solo EVO DLX - Kids Sit on top Kayak with Paddle and Decals - Mango - Twin Tunnel Hull with Swim up Deck - Lighweight & Durable - 6 ft. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.2/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Pelican Solo 6 Feet Sit-on-top Youth Kayak with Paddle, Safety Flag and Backrest, Red8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.Perception Hi Five Sit on Top Kids Kayak with Paddle and Solo Mount Base, up to 120 lbs, 6 ft 6 in8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.Lifetime Dash 66 Youth Sit-on-Top Kayak with Paddle, 6.5-Foot, Lime Green, Model 908568.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.Pelican Solo EVO DLX - Kids Sit on top Kayak with Paddle and Decals - Mango - Twin Tunnel Hull with Swim up Deck - Lighweight & Durable - 6 ft8.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Pelican Solo 6 Feet Sit-on-top Youth Kayak with Stohlquist FIT Youth PFD Life Jacket Vest8.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.Lifetime Shark Youth Kayak with Paddle, 6 Ft, Gray7.9/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.Lifetime 90787 Dash 66 Youth Kayak, Glacier Blue, 78 inches7.3/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1Pelican's Solo 6 Feet youth sit-on-top in Red, bundled with a paddle, a flag and a backrest for young paddlers.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Backrest adds comfort that basic youth kayaks do not offer
- + Flag on a pole helps parents and boaters see the child from afar
- + Paddle included, so the kit is ready for its first outing
- - Extra parts like the flag need fitting and can be lost
- - Life jacket is not part of this bundle and must be added
#2Perception's Hi Five kids sit-on-top, up to 120 lbs, with a paddle and a Solo Mount base for adding an accessory.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Up to 120 lbs capacity lets older kids keep using it longer
- + Solo Mount base allows a small accessory mount to be fitted
- + Paddle included, so the kayak is ready for the water
- - Larger kids near the limit will find the 6 ft 6 in hull cramped
- - Mount accessories are sold separately from the base
#36 ft 6 in Lifetime youth sit-on-top for paddlers ages 5 and older with adult supervision. It supports up to 150 lb and includes a paddle, a foam seat back and a swim-up deck.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Swim-up deck with molded hand grips assists re-entry, and scupper holes drain the cockpit
- + Multiple molded footrest positions suit different size kids, with a 150 lb capacity
- + Paddle included, plus a detachable foam seat back and a molded paddle cradle
- - The 150 lb weight limit means bigger teens will need a larger kayak
- - The listing gives the hull size (78 x 24 x 10 inches) but not the kayak's weight for carrying
#4Pelican's 6 foot kids sit-on-top with a twin tunnel hull and a swim-up stern deck. The DLX package adds a paddle, safety flag, EVA seat cushion with backrest and a decal set.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Twin tunnel hull is designed to reduce the impact of waves, keep the boat stable and help it turn
- + Flat, open stern platform with a handle gives kids an easy way to climb back on after a swim
- + Comes with a paddle, safety flag, EVA seat cushion and backrest, and graphic stickers
- - The listing does not state a weight capacity or the kayak's own weight
- - The feature list gives no recommended age range, unlike the Lifetime youth models
#5The Pelican Solo 6 Feet youth sit-on-top bundled with a Stohlquist FIT Youth PFD life jacket vest in one package.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Includes a Stohlquist FIT Youth PFD, so a vest arrives with the boat
- + Pelican Solo hull is kid-sized and easy for children to handle
- + Bundle saves shopping for a separate youth vest brand
- - Check the vest sizing chart against your child before paddling
- - Confirm the paddle included matches your child's height
#6Lifetime Shark is a 6 ft youth sit-on-top kayak with a paddle included, a swim-up deck with hand holds, self-bailing scupper holes and footrest positions for kids up to 130 lb.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Built for young paddlers up to 130 lb, with multiple footrest positions for growing children
- + Swim-up deck with hand holds for re-entry and self-bailing scupper holes to drain the deck
- + Paddle included with a molded-in paddle cradle, plus a front T-handle and center carry handle
- - 130 lb limit and 72 in length mean older or heavier kids will outgrow it
- - No seat back or backrest is mentioned in the listing
#7The Lifetime Dash 66 youth kayak sold as the boat only, with no paddle in the box. 6 ft 6 in long with a 150 lb capacity, for families who already own a kids paddle.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Swim-up deck design with molded hand grips to assist re-entry from the water
- + Multiple footrest positions for different size paddlers, with a 150 lb weight capacity
- + Recommended for ages 5 and up with adult supervision, a clear guide for sizing
- - Paddle is not included, so add the cost of a youth paddle if you do not have one
- - Same hull as the Dash 66 package in this guide, so the choice is only about the paddle and color
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Extra parts like the flag need fitting and can be lost (Pelican Solo 6 Feet Sit-on-top Youth Kayak...)
- Larger kids near the limit will find the 6 ft 6 in hull cramped (Perception Hi Five Sit on Top Kids Kayak with...)
- The 150 lb weight limit means bigger teens will need a larger kayak (Lifetime Dash 66 Youth Sit-on-Top Kayak with...)
- The listing does not state a weight capacity or the kayak's own weight (Pelican Solo EVO DLX - Kids Sit on top Kayak...)
- Check the vest sizing chart against your child before paddling (Pelican Solo 6 Feet Sit-on-top Youth Kayak...)
- 130 lb limit and 72 in length mean older or heavier kids will outgrow it (Lifetime Shark Youth Kayak with Paddle, 6 Ft,...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among kids kayaks?
Pelican Solo 6 Feet Sit-on-top Youth Kayak with Paddle, Safety Flag and Backrest, Red is our top overall pick. Pelican's Solo 6 Feet youth sit-on-top in Red, bundled with a paddle, a flag and a backrest for young paddlers. It earns our score of 8.4/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Perception Hi Five Sit on Top Kids Kayak with Paddle and Solo Mount Base, up to 120 lbs, 6 ft 6 in is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Perception's Hi Five kids sit-on-top, up to 120 lbs, with a paddle and a Solo Mount base for adding an accessory.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Kayak Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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