If you are looking for a kids paddle board, then you will want a lighter, durable, and balanced SUP so that you can enjoy a nice problem free day of paddleboarding with your kids. In this review, we will examine the six best kids paddle boards.
THURSO SURF Prodigy 7’6″
Wide entry-level simple iSUP!
Thurso SURF Prodigy is a visually pleasing stand-up paddleboard fit for kids. It has a wide surface that ensures stability, and a child can easily balance on top of it.
The all-around board can safely support about 75 kg or 165 lb of weight. It is well suited for kids with larger or smaller builds. The board can also carry snacks and water as needed.
The SUP comes equipped with a carbon shaft paddle which weighs 2 lbs only! This paddle is superior to aluminum or fiberglass paddles as it is versatile and floats. Three parts of the paddle make it easy to carry and deploy. With blades of tough nylon, it is one of the best paddles made with kids in mind. As for fins, Thurso Surf Prodigy has three removable, quick-lock ones. This setup is child-friendly and enables the practice of different techniques.
For an iSUP, the board has excellent durability. With dual-layer construction and military-grade PVC coatings on the deck, it can endure some damage.
PROS:
- Stable
- Beginner level board
- Durable
- Easy to handle
- Portable
CONS:
- No pump included
- Small fins
VERDICT:
Great choice for the kids to learn to paddle.
Bluefin Cruise Junior 8′
Easy difficulty standard paddleboard
The Bluefin Cruise Junior is a kid’s version of the standard paddleboard. It is easy to set up and has excellent versatility.
A shorter length ensures that the Bluefin Cruise Junior is easier to maneuver. Kids will need to do less to turn the board around. The lightweight board also requires little paddle strength to move forward.
The SUP package includes a stand-up Inflatable paddleboard, kayak seat, high-pressure air pump, removable tracking fins, backpack, leash, and kayak paddle blade.
Bluefin Cruise Junior SUP is about 8’ in length and weighs about 22 lbs. It is suitable for paddlers under the height of 5’3″. The board can withstand 28 PSI of air pressure.
ESL build, with the construction of military-grade reinforced drop-stitch the board is highly durable. Furthermore, the board surface has a UV protection coating to resist the sun rays.
PROS:
- Easy to handle
- Durable
- Versatile
- High-pressure
- Portable
CONS:
- No GoPro mount
VERDICT:
A high standard Bluefin Cruise SUP customized for the junior paddleboarder.
Gili Air 10’6’’ Inflatable SUP
Affordable all-around SUP!
Gili Air 10’6’’ Inflatable SUP is one of the best budget boards for youths. With a lightweight 19 lbs board, it is easy to carry around.
Constructed with reinforced PVC the SUP is somewhat durable. It can survive a little damage but anything more would be fatal. The central carry handle has a nifty little trick where it can hold the paddle.
The package includes a Gili Air 10’6’’ Inflatable SUP paddleboard, Gili inflatable backpack, 10’ coiled leash, double-action pump, and a snap-in central fin.
It has an excellent traction pad on deck and the paddle can be broken down into three parts for traveling convenience.
PROS:
- Affordable
- Decent backpack and kit
- Dual-action pump
- Portable
CONS:
- Less durable
- Heavy paddle
VERDICT:
The best board to start with and try out paddleboarding.
Nixy Huntington Compact 9’6″
The ultra-compact lightweight board!
With a light build, the Nixy Huntington Compact 9’6″ is made for travel. It has excellent all-around versatility and stability.
As per the name, the SUP is very compact and fits easily in cars or trailers. Even when inflated the board weighs merely 19 lbs!
The package comes with a Nixy Huntington Compact paddleboard, fiberglass paddle, coiled hybrid leash, detachable fins, backpack, triple action pump, and a repair kit.
Nixy Huntington features a traction pad made with soft EVA foam. The board itself is constructed with a lightweight drop-stick technique. Moreover, an outer PVC layer protects it from most damages.
PROS:
- Ultra-compact
- Lightweight
- Versatile
- Durable
CONS:
- Subpar tracking
- Small storage
VERDICT:
Best paddleboard to bring while traveling.
iROCKER Nautical 10’6’’
Entry-level budget board!
iROCKER Nautical 10’6’’ is one of the best budget boards available for youths. The board itself is lightweight and is easy to transport.
For a low-priced SUP, iROCKER Nautical 10’6’’ boasts excellent stability. The 6” thick board weighs 20 lbs. It can support 15 PSI and has a carry weight of 240 lbs.
The SUP package comes with an iROCKER Nautical paddleboard, fiberglass paddle, single chamber pump, and a nautical backpack.
iROCKER Nautical 10’6’’ features a military-grade dual-layer Drop-stitch technology. In its price range, the iRocker Nautical is one of the most durable SUPs out there. There are three detachable flip-lock fins with the board. A large EVA traction pad covers the deck which has three grab handles.
For more information on quality budget boards, check out our article on, Best Cheap Inflatable Paddle Boards.
PROS:
- Budget SUP
- Beginner-friendly
- High durability
- Stability
- Versatile
CONS:
- No action mount for GoPro
- Low carry capacity
VERDICT:
The best among the budget SUPs suitable for kids.
Retrospec Weekender Nano 8′
Compact board optimized for kids!
With a rounded hull and wide body, the Retrospec Weekender Nano 8′ is easy to paddle and control. It is so compact enough to weigh only 14 lbs even when inflated.
Retrospec Weekender Nano 8′ features an Armor Strength PVC build which protects it in most conditions. A non-slip foam deck provides stability and grip.
The board comes equipped with an adjustable lightweight paddle, a carry bag, detachable fins, a dual-action pump, and a leash.
Though it is budget sup, the Retrospec Weekender Nano 8′ performs exceptionally well in the hands of a kid. Paddling and making turns with the SUP hardly tires out a youth.
The comfortable and secure deck pad makes certain that the kids avoid accidentally injuring themselves and makes it difficult to fall off from the board.
PROS:
- Compact
- Affordable
- Child-friendly
- Easy handling
- Lightweight
- Portable
CONS:
- No action mount
VERDICT:
One of the best compact SUPs optimized for kids.
What To Consider When Looking For A Kid’s SUP
A good paddleboard can be the difference between a happy experience and a tiring one. Here are a few factors to consider for choosing a suitable board for youths,
Paddle Board Size
Smaller size iSUPs are easier to maneuver and paddle. Kids would not enjoy a larger, heavier board as it requires more strength to handle. A shorter board, up to 10’ in length, is suitable for youths.
Safety Measures
All kid’s paddleboards should have proper safety measures. A strong ankle leash is a must! Besides the leash, boards with a non-slip deck pad and side handles are a good fit for the kids.
Stability
A child-friendly iSUP should be wider than the regular ones. With a 6” thickness, a wide board can be very stable on the water. This is very crucial for youths who are just starting to learn paddleboarding.
Durability
An outer layer PVC coating is an excellent quality to look for in a kid’s board. Before becoming experienced SUPers, the youths would often run the board into obstacles. Armor-grade or military-grade construction materials would ensure the board remains in one piece while the kids have fun!
Bottom line
Day by day, the watersport of paddlebaording is growing in popularity. So, it is only natural that the kids too would join in. After considering a few factors, it is easy to find an excellent board meant for the kids. And, as long as the youths are on a paddleboard suited for them, they can have a memorable weekend outing.
