Stand-up paddleboarding is a fabulous bonding activity for children and adults. All you need to get started is access to a suitable body of water, a quality kid-sized paddleboard, and a bit of enthusiasm. In no time, your little one will be balancing atop their new flotation device. They’ll even have the strength, stamina, and confidence to show for it.
In the section below, we discuss six of our favorite paddleboards for children. These pint-sized SUPs offer all the benefits of big boards at a fraction of the size. Check out the specifications to find a board that is suitable for your child. Be sure to consider their body size and skill level when making a selection.
Kid’s Paddleboard | Weight Capacity | Product Weight | Dimensions | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Thurso Prodigy Junior SUP | 165 pounds | 19 pounds | 7’6″ long | |
Bluefin Cruise Junior SUP Package | 240 pounds | 25 pounds | 8' long 29" wide 5" thick | |
Retrospec Weekender Nano 8' Kids iSUP | 120 pounds | 14 pounds | 8′ long | |
Freein 7’8″ Kids’ Inflatable Paddleboard | 176 pounds | 21 pounds | 7’8″ long | |
Aqua Marina Vibrant Inflatable SUP | 154 pounds | 15 pounds | 8′7" long | |
Bote Flow Aero Inflatable Paddleboard | 120 pounds | 17 pounds | 8′ long | |
Boga Soft Top 8’0″ 2016 | 135 pounds | 29 pounds | 8′ long | |
Pau Hana Grom X 8-Foot Paddleboard | 120 pounds | 16 pounds | 8′ long | |
Tower 10’4″ Mermaid (Board Only) | 400 pounds | 26 pounds | 10’4″ long | |
Zray Inflatable SUP with Seat | 264 pounds | 25 pounds | 9′9" long |
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
Your kid will be thrilled to hit the water on top of this impressive inflatable stand-up paddleboard. Thurso’s Prodigy Junior SUP is made from military-grade materials. PVC-coated tarpaulin on the sides and back help to prevent surface abrasions and punctures.
The Thurso board comes with three removable fins. These enhance the board’s stability and maneuverability. Kids can adjust the arrangement of the fins to achieve better stability, tracking, or reduce their drag. The quick-lock system makes it easy to remove and add fins. No tools are needed.
The Prodigy is 7 feet 6 inches long, 30 inches wide, and 4 inches thick. What’s more, it has a maximum weight capacity of pounds. The Prodigy’s wide deck offers unmatched stability.
This incredible junior SUP offers all the benefits of a hard board with the freedoms of an inflatable. The entire thing weighs a mere 19 pounds. It rolls up into a small parcel that fits into the provided backpack.
Thurso’s package includes three Quick-Lock fins, a three-piece carbon shaft paddle, a travel-friendly backpack, and a 10-foot double-swivel coiled leash. Unfortunately, a pump is not included in the kit. All of the items are covered by the company’s generous two-year warranty.
The board is available in both blue or pink camo prints. Thurso Surf is written across the top right-hand side of the board. Behind that, there is a large striped foot pad.
A durable figure-eight bungee system provides a great place to lock down an extra gear or a small cooler. Overall, your child will be pleased with this pint-sized version of a paddleboard. You can rest easy knowing your child is safe and stable on top of their Thurso.
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
The Bluefin Cruise Junior is basically just a smaller version of Bluefin's flagship board the Cruise. So while you may be purchasing a smaller "kids" board, you still get well manufactured and durable board, it's just more suited in size and weight, to be fun for children to use.
Because this is an inflatable, it's great for children because you don't have to worry if they bang into something like a car door or the side of a boat. The board will give because it's an inflatable, but it won't break, because of it's construction.
This complete package is able to fit into the backpack (which is included) and is easy to transport on your next vacation or day trip to a lake or river.
Kids tend to love playing around on paddleboards in general, but with the added option to convert into a kayak, your child is guaranteed to have fun for hours on this board.
It's also great the this board package comes with a 5 Year Manufacturer Warranty which is unheard of in the SUP industry. A company can only afford to stand behind their product this strongly, if they are great products.
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
The Retrospec Weekender Nano for Kids is a simple well designed inflatable SUP that includes everything you need.
The Weekender Nano is built to withstand abuse and can handle any minor dings or scratches, much like a white water raft.
There is a simple 4 point bungee system on the nose to attach any of your kid’s toys or shoes, etc. This paddle board is able to carry up to 140 lbs with little to no flex. Your child will love the control they’ll have with Weekender Nano due to the excellent tracking characteristics of the 3 fins.
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
Freein Kid’s inflatable paddleboard lets children thrive in a variety of water conditions. The 7-foot-8-inch board is super durable and lightweight. It boasts a diamond-cut traction pad for added foot security.
At just 20.9 pounds, it is super easy to transport. Although, it’s important to keep in mind that the package does not include a carrying bag or a hand pump. Still, the board is the perfect size for a child or petite adult.
Freein has constructed the board from a combination of hard-wearing materials. The shell consists of dual layers of military-grade PVC-coated tarpaulin. These layers are covered in additional PVC support fabric and topped with a non-slip diamond-cut EVA footpad. An additional base cloth and drop-stitch core provide the board with ceaseless rigidity up to the 176-pound weight limit.
The board inflates in less than 3 minutes. It holds a max air pressure of 15 PSI. The center fin can be removed and replaced without the help of tools. You can easily alternate your setup to make the most of both ocean and freshwater conditions.
Freein’s bold orange logo, a center handle, and a front D-ring are some of the highlights of the board’s deck. However, there is no bungee rigging. As such, we find this SUP to be more appropriate for recreational endeavors.
Any young paddler would be happy to venture out on this incredibly dependable inflatable SUP. Its 6-inch height puts it in a category of its own. The slip-resistant food pad serves as the ultimate confidence booster for inexperienced paddlers. Not to mention, the board’s 30-day money-back guarantee and 3-year warranty are welcome protection. The safety stats, low price, and awesome aesthitics make it an option that children and their caregivers can both appreciate.
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
This is a no frills iSUP that is designed for kids that just want a board and want to get out on the water, and aren’t worried about having a ton of features and gadgets, that you don’t need. And it’s reasonably priced because of this.
This board comes with a 4 point bungee system up front, to attached shoes, or hats, etc. so you don’t lose them on your adventure.
If you child is just getting into the sport of paddle boarding and you don’t want to spend too much money, this is a good economical option.
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
Bote makes one of the best entry-level inflatable SUPs on the market. The Flow Aero is an 8-foot inflatable paddleboard that’s made from military-grade PVC. It offers a super stable, wide surface for beginner paddlers.
The Bote SUP comes with a removable center fin. This element plays a key role in the board’s stability and maneuverability. The board also boasts a center handle. Not to mention, there is a large figure-eight bungee rigging on the bow of the board.
A three-piece adjustable paddle is included with the kit. Customers also receive a hand-pump, a rolling backpack, and a repair kit. The board is super easy to inflate. It’s stable and resilient as any hardboard.
The bright green and blue colorway is super appealing to children. Your little paddleboarder will have no trouble finding their flow on this board. The 100-pound weight limit even makes it possible for young siblings and friends to share a single platform.
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
Boga may have released its 8-foot inflatable SUP in 2016, but this kid-sized board is still super relevant. The fully wrapped EVA and epoxy foundation can withstand plenty of bumps. Still, the soft top manages to soften the impact of slips and falls. As such, this board sets the stage for a super safe learning experience.
The aqua blue and green color combination is suitable for girls and boys alike. Various anchor points allow young paddlers to tie down extra accessories and gear. The logos are sized and placed perfectly. There’s no doubt that a lot of careful consideration went into the development of this product.
This board is suitable for use in flat water and moderate surf. Its compact storage size makes it ideal for travel. The company may have been too busy catching waves to update its product specifications. However, we are impressed with the quality of this kids paddleboard.
This package will not dissappoint!
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
Boga may have released its 6-foot inflatable SUP in 2016, but this kid-sized board is still super relevant. The fully wrapped EVA and epoxy foundation can withstand plenty of bumps. Still, the soft top manages to soften the impact of slips and falls. As such, this board sets the stage for a super safe learning experience.
The aqua blue and green color combination is suitable for girls and boys alike. Various anchor points allow young paddlers to tie down extra accessories and gear. The logos are sized and placed perfectly. There’s no doubt that a lot of careful consideration went into the development of this product.
This board is suitable for use in flat water and moderate surf. Its compact storage size makes it ideal for travel. The company may have been too busy catching waves to update its product specifications.
However, we are happy to confirm the quality of this impressive paddleboard. There’s no room for disappointment with this package!
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
This 6 inch military-grade paddleboard won’t sag or bend under the pressure of a child or teenager. The 10 foot 4 inches long and 6-inch thick surface remains rigid under 200 pounds of weight. That’s saying a lot for a board that can be rolled into a 1-foot bundle at the end of the day.
Overall, it has a max weight capacity of 400 pounds. What’s more, the board is 10 feet 4 inches long, 32 inches wide, and 6 inches thick. The wide, stable surface is perfect for sharing.
A detachable center fin, a deck pad, and a repair kit are included with the package. The board also features a built-in deck handle, bungee rigging, and front and rear D-rings. You can easily attach an aftermarket leash to ensure this beauty of a board doesn’t get carried away by a stray wave. Although, you’ll have to secure a pump elsewhere.
The aqua blue and white aesthetics are perfect for both boys and girls. We love how the Tower logo is embedded in the deck design. Overall, this product has a very high-end, stylish appearance.
The provided center fin helps improve the board’s tracking. Overall, the Mermaid is suitable for both recreational and touring adventures. The thick board keeps paddler’s feet away from the water. As such, this is a perfect SUP for cold water excursions.
Overall, we highly recommend this board for paddlers between the ages of 10 and 18. It’s priced reasonably but offers a superior paddle experience. You won’t be tossing this durable watercraft after a single season. Just add your favorite surf leash to ensure it doesn’t get pulled away by a rogue wave.
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
This is a great multi-purpose inflatable paddle board that is designed for the bigger kids to adolescents because this board is 9’9” long.
Because of this, the Zray Inflatable can handle up to 264 pounds, which is almost double the weight of the previous boards listed here.
While this paddle board is designed to handle a wide variety of surf conditions, if you child is uncomfortable with the surf, they can always use attach the seat, which gives more stability due to the lower center of gravity in the seated position.
This Zray is built to last. They show demonstration of driving the front wheel of a truck over this and it stays inflated and looks fine. I’m don’t recommend testing this out, but it’s good to know that Zray takes quality seriously.
This is an inflatable paddle board that tracks straight and is great for adolescents or smaller adults.
What are you waiting for?
Stand-up paddleboards enable children to explore their favorite waterways from a completely new vantage point. Let your little ones be a part of the ever grower SUP community. Be sure they get the opportunity to enjoy exercise in the wild.
SUP excursions make for memorable and healthy shared experiences. With this guide, you can ensure you have a fleet of paddleboards that accommodates every member of your family.
Bruce Paulson is the owner of PaddleboardSurf and an avid water sports enthusiast with a lifelong passion for all things aquatic. From stand-up paddleboarding and surfing to boating, kayaking, and canoeing, he thrives on the joy of being on the water. As an advocate for water conservation and environmental stewardship, Bruce shares his adventures and insights through his writing, inspiring others to embrace the beauty and excitement of life on the water.