Stand-up paddleboarding is a fun activity that both kids and adults can enjoy together. Getting started is simple: find a safe body of water, pick a well-sized paddleboard for children, and bring a sense of adventure. Soon, your child will be confidently standing on their board, developing strength, balance, and self-confidence while having a great time on the water.
In the following section, we highlight six of our favorite paddleboards designed specifically for kids. These smaller boards pack all the features and performance of full-sized SUPs into a child-friendly size. Be sure to review the specifications to choose a board that fits your child’s height, weight, and skill level.
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 child will love paddling on this durable inflatable SUP. The Thurso Prodigy Junior is built from military-grade materials, with PVC-coated tarpaulin on the sides and bottom to protect against scratches, punctures, and everyday wear.
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 essentially a kid-sized version of Bluefin’s flagship Cruise board. While it’s designed for children, it still offers the same high-quality construction and durability, just scaled down to a size and weight that’s easy and fun for kids to handle.
Being inflatable, this board is perfect for young paddlers. It can take bumps against docks, boat sides, or even a car door without damage, thanks to its resilient design.
The Cruise Junior comes as a complete package that fits neatly into the included backpack, making it simple to transport for vacations, lake days, or river adventures.
Kids will love paddling around, and the added option to convert the board into a kayak provides even more hours of fun and versatility.
A standout feature is the 5-Year Manufacturer Warranty, rare in the SUP world, which shows how confident Bluefin is in the quality and durability of their product.
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
The Retrospec Weekender Nano for Kids is a well-designed, all-in-one inflatable SUP that comes ready to use.
Built tough, the Weekender Nano can handle minor bumps and scratches, much like a whitewater raft.
A simple four-point bungee system at the nose lets your child secure toys, shoes, or other small items. With a weight capacity of up to 140 lbs, the board flexes very little, giving kids excellent control. Its three fins provide impressive tracking, making paddling smooth and fun for young SUP enthusiasts.
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
The Freein Kid’s inflatable paddleboard is perfect for young paddlers exploring a variety of water conditions. Measuring 7 feet 8 inches, it’s both lightweight and highly durable, featuring a diamond-cut traction pad to keep little feet secure on the board.
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 no-frills inflatable SUP is perfect for kids who just want to get out on the water without extra features or gadgets, and it comes at a budget-friendly price.
The board includes a simple four-point bungee system at the front to secure shoes, hats, or small items during paddling adventures.
If your child is just starting out in paddleboarding and you want a practical, economical option, this board is an excellent choice.
What Makes This Paddle Board Stand Out
Bote offers one of the top entry-level inflatable SUPs with the Flow Aero. This 8-foot board is constructed from military-grade PVC and provides a wide, stable surface, making it perfect 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
Though Boga introduced its 8-foot inflatable SUP in 2016, this kid-sized board remains a great choice. Its fully wrapped EVA and epoxy construction can handle lots of bumps, while the soft top cushions slips and falls, making it a safe and dependable option for young paddlers learning the ropes.
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
Although Boga introduced its 6-foot inflatable SUP in 2016, this kid-sized board remains a great option. Its fully wrapped EVA and epoxy construction can handle plenty of bumps, while the soft top cushions slips and falls, providing a safe and enjoyable learning experience for young paddlers.
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-thick, military-grade paddleboard stays rigid even under the weight of a child or teenager. Measuring 10 feet 4 inches long and 6 inches thick, it can support up to 200 pounds without sagging. Remarkably, despite its strength and size, the board can be rolled up into a compact 1-foot bundle for easy storage and transport.
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
The Zray Inflatable is a versatile, all-purpose paddleboard designed for older kids and adolescents, measuring 9’9” in length. With a weight capacity of 264 pounds—nearly double that of the smaller boards listed earlier, it can accommodate larger riders comfortably.
While the board performs well in a variety of surf conditions, younger paddlers or those less confident in waves can attach the included seat for added stability, lowering their center of gravity and making paddling easier.
Built to last, the Zray is impressively durable. In demonstrations, even the front wheel of a truck has been driven over the board while it remained fully inflated. While we don’t recommend testing that at home, it highlights the company’s commitment to quality.
This inflatable SUP tracks straight, making it an excellent choice for adolescents or smaller adults seeking a reliable, stable board for lakes, rivers, or coastal waters.
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.
