Child/youth/Kid kayaks make THE BEST GIFTS for holidays and birthdays because they are an inexpensive yet life changing gateway to adventure, and also make an impressive gift for such a reasonable price! 

2020 - the year of Covid and kids being endlessly cooped up indoors has only made it more important than ever to help them discover the outdoors, and kayaking is such an awesome way to get them there.  

Black Friday, and the holidays in general, are one of the best times to get an inexpensive youth or child-sized kayak even though there are not usually any specific "2020 BLACK FRIDAY KID KAYAK BLOWOUTS" type holiday sales (for some reason it tends to be only adult sized kayaks on advertised Black Friday kayak deals), but because it's THE OFF-SEASON for water sports and all the kayaks are priced low this time of year it's a great time price-wise to get a kid kayak at an all-time low price. 

If you look at this list of kayaks trending now on amazon for kids, EVERY kayak is selling for an average of $25 to $50 less than they sell for in summertime, and some are even $60 to $100 off of the regular price. The trick is whether you can find one in stock, since kayaks are hot-selling gifts (because they are big and impressive on Christmas or birthday mornings) and the companies, thinking it's the off-season, are notoriously terrible at keeping kid kayaks in stock during the off-season. 

So if you can find a child-sized kayak IN STOCK during the holiday season online it's a great time to snatch one up because they tend to be marked down from top-selling spring and summer prices. 

My Suggestion and Reviews of the HOTTEST SELLING KID KAYAKS FOR GIFTS this year for Black Friday, Christmas or even a Winter Birthday:

Sit-on-top
Specifically the hottest selling items as far as kid kayaking goes during the holidays, no surprise and for good reason, are the easy to use sit-on-top Lifetime Dash (6 feet 6 inches - great for all kids up to 150 lbs) and Lifetime Wave (6 feet great for the littlest kids 4 and up to 130 lbs).  I recommend the Dash if your child is over 8 right now because it's going to last a few years longer.  We own multiple and it's our go-to for all young kids visiting our house regardless of ago.  However, the Wave is also fantastic and is the #1 most popular selling kayak for young kids because it's so easy for the tiniest kids down to age 4 or 5.  They are exactly the same kayak besides the fact that the Dash is 6 inches longer so pick the size you think is best for your family.  They are so cheap for the ridiculous amount of joy they bring I can almost guarantee you'll be back for more in the future.  We collect them like like baseball cards.     

For a child who is getting close to maxing out the Dash, or for a larger stature kid around ten or any teens, I would suggest the Perception Tribe as a gift.  My twelve-year-old is still comfortably using a 6'6 kayaks for probably another year but if I was buying for him now I'd probably go bigger and get him something like the the Perception Tribe (9.5 feet long sit-inside).
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Hybrid sit-on-top kid kayak/paddleboard...very cool gift this year! 
So this is awesome.  It's the Perception Hi Five.  It's a hybrid kayak/paddleboard. 

It can be paddled standing up or sitting down.  Everything about it is kid-specific with little handles and lightweight everything.  It's the coolest gift right now for kids who might want to try kayaking or paddle boarding and is right for kids up to 120 lbs and at 6 feet 6 inches long it will work until they are 12 - 14 years old (depending on their stature). 
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Inflatable
For inflatable youth kayaks the two top selling kayaks are the entry-level Intex Challenger (great value and user experience), and the more expensive but long lasting high-quality Advanced Elements Framed Inflatable, which can be customized with add-ons as your family grows into the sport over time.  The Intex is $60 off right now as I'm writing this because it's the off-season and the Advanced Elements is $100 off!  You would never see a discount like that in the spring or summer.     

Sit-inside
The best-selling gift kayak for a traditional sit-inside kayak for young kids age 7+ would be the Perception Prodigy XS.  You can check here to see if it's back in stock, but it was sold out as I'm writing this.  Maybe it will be back in stock soon, but like I said, the trick is finding the great kid kayaks in stock during the holidays.  If they are in stock, no doubt they are marked down and are the best deals of the year. 

The other sit-inside kayaks I would recommend as gifts would be:

Entry Level, low price - the Perception Flash.  It's 9.5 feet long and is a good entry-level kayak that even has rod-holders for your child's fishing poles.  It's good for kids 9 and up.   

Comfortable, mid-range - The Perception Joy Ride is an awesome 10-foot kayak that is a more comfortable to use and is mid-level priced.  It is a great kayak for young teens all the way up to young adults. 

(If you think you may take your teens kayak out for a spin ever go for this one rather than the Flash...).           ​

What is the best gift for my 5-year-old?   A kid kayak!  (Yes -they can kayak at five!)
What is the best is the best gift for your 7- year-old? -- A kids kayak
What is the best gift for a 10-year-old girl?   Yes, yes, it's a kids kayak
What is the best gift for a 12-year-old boy?  ...Kids Kayak
What is the best gift for a 15-year-old son or daughter?  Kayak! Kayak! Kayak!

IT IS LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE ON A BIRTHDAY OR CHRISTMAS MORNING

Just imagine your kids coming down the stairs on Christmas morning and seeing a 6,8, or even 10-foot wrapped present leaning against the wall with a bow on it.  It is an impressive start to Christmas morning!  You know that they will always remember what they got for Christmas that year!  If a kid had never owned a bicycle, then that is the most impressive gift they could get on Christmas morning, but most kids have a bike.  A kayak is the next coolest thing a kid can possibly get from their parents or grandparents on Christmas morning.  

  
IT IS A PERSONAL BOAT FOR A KID . . . ONLY A PERSONAL AIRPLANE CAN BEAT THAT!

Yes, you are giving your kid their own boat, and yet it is super-easy to store because it is only 6 or 8 feet long (thank you to whoever make a kid-sized version.  You are my hero!).  The same way bikes come in sizes for adults, teenagers, tweens, and even little tiny children, so do kayaks.  I never knew this until a few years ago.  Seeing a 5-year-old paddle around the water all by themselves is so amazing, much like watching your little one learn to ride a tricycle or use their training wheels or take off on two wheels for the first time.  I will say that learning to use a kayak is MUCH EASIER than learning to ride a bike, and there are no skinned knees involved!  Joy!  But it also gives them the same type of ability to explore and discover things in the world around them as a bicycle does.     


IT WON'T GET THROWN AWAY IN JANUARY

This present will stick around and bless your kid and probably his or her friends and younger siblings for years to come.  You will get your money's worth after the first time or two you use it, yet it will serve your family for years.  After all the junky Christmas presents have been donated or thrown out, this one will be treasured.  My goal each year is to eliminate as much as possible the nonsense gifts and get fewer gifts that are better quality and more useful to our family in the year to come.    


IT GIVES EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO

Some presents get the family excited for spring.  One year we bought our kids a basketball hoop for Christmas morning, and everyone was so anxious to use it together (even a few times in the snow!).  A kid kayak is like that.  It sets an excitement in the air for adventures ahead and gives everyone something to look forward to in the coming new year.    


IT IS GIVING YOUR KIDS A PORTAL TO THE OUTDOORS AND TO THEIR OWN JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY (Few gifts can do that!)

A kid kayak is so easy to use, and when they are equipped with a life jacket, and they are on calm water, you will see them figure it out in a few minutes and then go off exploring on their own.  It is the most incredible feeling they will get as they navigate the challenge on their own.  Kids don't get as many opportunities for self-discovery in the outdoors as they used to, and a kayak changes all of that.      


IT CAN SET A COOL THEME FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS THAT YEAR

Sometimes it can be so hard to figure out what gifts to buy your kids for Christmas. Getting your kid a kayak can set a cool theme for the year.  Even though all you need to get started in kayaking is a kayak and life jacket, you now have a whole list of fun extras you can buy as gifts that relate to having a kayak, camping or the outdoors.   Kayak, life jacket, paddle, a stylish stainless-steel water bottle, binoculars, possibly a fishing pole, a dry bag for their cell phone, water shoes or sandals, a hat...the list goes on and on.  Now it's easy to think of presents for this year, and all of them are useful! Now you don't have to buy anymore toys or video games.  Kayak-centric gifts get your kids outside.  
 

IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY COMPLICATED PACKAGING TO DEAL WITH

Oh, the joy of not having to fold up cardboard and try to smash it into the recycling bin the day after Christmas, or pry toys out of plastic or spend an hour untwisting those horrible twisty ties they use to hold toys into the packaging.  Our kayak came from Amazon with free shipping in a plastic bag and was leaning against the door a few days later.  You may need to be careful that your kids don't see it when they come home from school.  Watch the delivery day and have your kids out of the house or call your UPS person to see what time it is going to arrive.   


IT CAN WORK AS A PRESENT FOR MULTIPLE KIDS

If you have any two kids under the age of twelve, they can both use the same best selling sit-on-top child-sized kayak, though it would probably be more fun to get them each one in a different color (click to see a pink kid kayak and to see a yellow kid kayak or for all available 6 foot kayak colors.), but yes, one kayak could work for multiple kids!  
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IT COMES RIGHT TO YOUR FRONT DOOR

No need to strap anything to the roof of your car, it shows up on your front door a few days after you click a few buttons online.  It is small and light and easy to manage.  Thank you, Amazon for letting me do all of my shopping online! 

I just am so grateful for delivery to my front door and free shipping!  Thank you thank you thank you.  Christmas list, check!  Done!  No crowded stores!  Holiday bliss!

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IT IS AFFORDABLE 

For around $100 you can get a kid age 5 to 12 a kayak, and for any kids over 12 you can get one for between $100 and $300, or even as low as $70 for an inflatable kayak (which are very high-quality and fun to use). 

After their first bicycle, a kayak is the next coolest thing you can get for the price. 

The great thing is that you as the parent don't need to be a kayaker.  You can let your kids play with the kayaks on the edge of a calm lake or even in a swimming pool. 

When I bought my kids their first kayaks, I would use my stand-up paddleboard for myself while my little ones paddled themselves around a lazy river on their tiny kayaks, searching for turtles and frogs.  As we've taken friends and neighbor kids out on these adorable child-sized boats, I've realized they are good for all kids and families, whether they are the outdoorsy type or not. They are safe, easy to use,  and so much fun and the best memory-making gift I have ever bought for my kids! 

HOW TO MAKE YOUR KAYAKING TRIP WITH  THE KIDS UNFORGETTABLE

You are counting on the fact that your kids will like kayaking.
They will like it, right?  They are going to have fun, aren't they?
You have bought a kayak, paddle, and a life jacket that you are sure they are going to love.
You've invested your money and time into researching and shopping, and you are so excited to take them to the lake.
You know it's going to be a blast, and it's part of your plan for an epic summer with the family.  
There are a lot of things you can do to make a day on the water something to look back and smile about.


Here are five tips to make sure you get off to a good start. ​

How old do kids need to be to learn to kayak?

Kids age 5 and up can start paddling a child-sized kayak.  From age 5 to 11 kids easily paddle a kayak short distances on their own with an appropriately sized kayak, paddle, and the right water conditions for their age. 

How far can young kids paddle a kayak?

Kids younger than 5 practice paddling a child-sized kayak in a swimming pool or non-moving water for a few minutes at a time. 

Kids age 5 to 7 practice paddling a child-sized kayak in short intervals and for short distances of less than a quarter a mile. 

Kids age 7 to 9 paddle a child-sized kayak up to half a mile at a time.
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Kids age 9 to 11 learning to kayak can paddle half a mile or more on a child-sized kayak, and by age 12 can paddle a mile or more and transition to larger kayaks.  

Learning to kayak is easy and fun.  It is an accessible and affordable sport for families with young children. 

Most people don't realize that young children can kayak and that not all kayaking is done in rapids or on the ocean. 

Most families paddle on calm lakes, ponds and in marshes where the water is slow moving, and the setting is peaceful. 

​The experience is richly rewarding. 

Paddling comes naturally to kids and gives them a new way to explore nature.    

What type of kayak is easiest for kids to learn on?  

Whether they are riding with you on a tandem kayak, or paddling their own sit-on-top or sit-inside vessel, read on for suggestions of when kids are ready to try different paddling experiences. 

​If you are very new to paddling sports and are not sure what a sit-inside or sit-on-top kayak is, you may also want to read Kayak Options For Kids, Sit-inside, Sit-on-top, or Inflatable. 

What's below:

Scroll down to read specific tips for the age you are looking for:
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Here is what's coming below: 
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Babies in kayaks
2 and 3-year old guidelines
4-year-old guidleines
4 to 7-year-old guidelines
6-year-old guidelines
8-year-old guidelines
9 to 12-year olds
12 to 16-year-olds
age 14 and up

Let's begin with the most controversial age topic: Babies and Toddlers in Kayaks.  

​Babies 

• Highly-skilled kayaking parents may feel comfortable taking older babies and toddlers in a tandem kayak but it is highly controversial
• All kayaking sources strongly advise that inexperienced paddlers/parents NOT take babies or toddlers kayaking 
• Canoes are suggested in place of kayaks for families wanting to bring very young babies and wiggly toddlers on the water
• If you are considering a baby or toddler in a tandem kayak with you, you will need a proficient stern (back seat) paddler who can manage kayak alone while you may or may not be able to paddle while you are holding little ones.  This still may or may not be safe depending on your situation (skill level and what water you are paddling on).
• Paddlers who choose to take babies and toddlers kayaking should consider their proficiency in handling capsizing.  What they would do if they tipped over with babies and toddlers in the specific water they are kayaking in.  How comfortable are they with handling this situation?  Do they know how to handle it without a baby?  Most people are not competent enough to know how to handle this situation safely.  Obviously what type of water you are padding on plays a big part in this decision.  
• For most people and most situations, it is not a good idea, nor enjoyable, to paddle very long with this age, especially for beginners.  However, there is a big difference between taking a little spin on calm water and going on a white-water river trip.  Still, be conservative when any risks are apparent.    
• As always, there will be exceptions for some highly skilled kayaking families. This guide is for beginners.  If you were going to be riding a bike with a baby on board, it would be a good idea to learn how to do it yourself before even considering taking your baby on board.  Same for a kayak!     

​2-year-old and 3-year-old

• Highly-skilled kayaking parents may feel comfortable taking this age in their-sit-inside solo kayaks
• Beginners probably should not be taking this age in a solo sit-inside kayak except maybe on very calm water with support
• May sit as a middle passenger (duffer) on a sit-on-top kayak with a competent paddler on calm water
• Will enjoy riding duffer (as a non-paddling passenger somewhere in the middle of the boat) with competent parents in a tandem kayak on very short trips
• My three-year-old likes to sit on the back of his brother's child-sized kayaks and even hang off the back of the swim deck on our pond
• Keep outings to about a  mile max in the beginning to see how it goes.

4-year-old

• Great age to play and practice paddling on a child-sized kayak in a swimming pool.  
• some 4-year-old children will be ready to paddle a child-sized kayak (suggested age is 5 and up on most children's kayaks) on calm water such as a lake, pond, or slow-moving river.
• Read 4-Year-Old Kayaking Overview for an in-depth discussion on kayaking options for four-year-olds.  

4 to 7-year-old Kayaking Options

•  can ride duffer (middle of boat as a non-paddling passenger) in a tandem kayak
• If they are strong enough to hold and use a paddle, and parent is a competent paddler, the child may sit as the bow paddler (front seat of the boat) of a tandem sit-inside kayak on calm water. 
• May enjoy assisting with paddling a tandem sit-on-top with competent older siblings or parents on calm water 

5-year-old

• Most five-year-olds are ready to paddle a child-sized kayak.
• This is the recommended age for starting kids on a child-sized (usually 6 or 6.5 ft) sit-on-top kayak alone. These kayaks are very small and easy to manage.  They will need a child-sized paddle, approximately 200 cm with a narrow shaft, so they have a comfortable hand-grip for their little hands, and a scaled-down blade on the paddle so that paddling is not too difficult.  The paddle blade should not be the same size blade as an adult paddle with only a shorter shaft.  This will make paddling much too difficult.  It should look like a miniature paddle blade.  Not to worry; most sit-on-top child kayaks come with a child-sized paddle.  
• For and in-depth discussion on what kayaking options are available for 5-year-olds read this post: Can Five-Year-Olds Go Kayaking? 

6-year-old

• Almost all six-year-olds can paddle a child-sized kayak.  
• For an in-depth article on what kayaking options are available for 6-year-olds read this post: Can Six-Year-Olds Kayak?  

8-year-old

• 8-year-olds love paddling child-sized kayaks such as the Lifetime Wave or the Perception Prodigy XS
• These kids are also ready to learn how to be the bow paddler (paddler sitting in the front seat of a tandem kayak). 
• Make sure they have a scaled down, child-sized paddle (read about child-sized paddles here)  if you want it to be a pleasant paddling experience. 
• Plan on an 8-year-old paddling with an experienced stern (back seat of kayak) paddler, as the 8-year-old probably won't be doing much yet to move or steer the kayak.  Also, keep any outings short, not longer than 1 mile, until you know your child's abilities.    

9 to 12-year-old 

• For a beginners -  if your child this age is small or average-sized, get a 6-foot child kayak (such as the Lifetime Wave) which will fit an average child until 11 or 12 years of age. 
• If your child is taller, stronger, or more athletically inclined than average or getting closer to 12, consider getting a longer kids kayak, such as the Prodigy, especially if you don't have younger children who will be using the 6-foot kayak later on.
• Many sit-inside-kayak paddling lessons are offered to kids around this age.  This is a great age to get your kids into kayaking if you haven't already.  Many kids can swim well, or are learning to swim at this age, are curious and increasing in strength and endurance.  Getting your child interested in an outdoor hobby at this age can change their life.   
• Kids this age vary in weight, height, and strength to such a degree it is difficult to generalize what this age can do with a kayak.  Kids that started very young on individual child-sized kayaks or grew up as duffers and bow paddlers on their parent's kayaks may be able to learn advanced kayaking skills at this age.  Some kids in this age group can manage an 8-foot kayak.  Some can even handle a 10-foot kayak.  When reading kayak reviews online, you will hear many parents say that their 9 to 11-year-old children did great on calm water in small family recreation kayaks ranging from 8 to 10 feet. 
• See an in-depth discussion on our kayak suggestions for this age.
• You may consider hiring an instructor to teach rolling and wet-exits to kids who are interested in learning these skills at this age, otherwise stick to calm (no rapids) water or purchase a sit-on-top kayak.    
• For sit-on-top recreational kayaking at this age, you do not need lessons, just calm water, the right life jackets and a beautiful day.

12 to 16-year-old

• A child this age is ready to learn the skills for handling a kayak alone.  They can also carry their own small kayak, which is so helpful for a family with multiple children! 
• For petite teens consider the Prodigy, which is a high quality,  lightweight, easy to navigate kayak that is good for kids and even petite adult paddlers up to 150 lbs.
• For larger or older teens consider the 9.5 foot Perception Tribe.
• For taking your teen and whole family out to the lake for a day of kayaking, consider getting a 2-pack of Lifetime Tioga sit-on-tops.  They are an affordable and dependable first family kayak.   
• There are many kayak options for kids this age.  For our suggestions read this next.  
• Sit-on-top kayaking can be learned quickly, without lessons, on calm water on a nice day at the lake at this age.   
• Sit-inside kayaking at this age requires learning some basic safety lessons from an experienced paddler and developing some basic skills before anything other than flat water recreational kayaking should be attempted. 
• For kids interested in river kayaking, you may consider kayak lessons for this age to learn rolling and wet exits and other kayaking skills.
• Take a group of inexperienced kids this age to a lake on a sunny day with a bunch of recreational sit-on-top kayaks for a world of fun (don't forget sun block and  life jackets), but don't expect inexperienced kids this age to be able to navigate a white water river trip safely without time having developed basic kayaking skills and some advanced teaching by someone experienced. 

14-years-old and up

• Can manage a medium adult-sized kayak alone.  
• A beginner at this age can easily use and enjoy a sit-on-top kayak on calm water (lake or slow moving river) with no previous experience.  Sit-on-tops do not take on water and are recreational kayaks that are easy to use.
• Consider the Perception Tribe or for family outings the 2-pack of Lifetime Tiogas for excellent starter kayaks for your family.  
• A 14 year old can paddle a sit-inside kayak on calm water and should begin learning some basic safety lessons of using sit-inside kayaks (rolls and wet exits). 
• A 14 year old is ready to learn the skills to use a sit-inside kayaks on more advanced water.  Look for lessons in your area if this is an interest. 
• Read kayak paddle suggestions
• Read more kayak suggestions for this age here.  

Tips for Beginners

Duffer is a non-paddling guest sitting somewhere in the boat, usually the middle. 

The bow paddler is the person in the front seat of a tandem kayak or canoe, while the stern paddler is the one sitting in the back. 

There needs to always to be someone who is capable of paddling in the stern (back) if you have a child as the bow paddler (someone needs to be able to paddle, right?). 

Kids and beginners need to always be in the front of the kayak so the more experienced paddler in the back can give directions and steer the boat.    

Kids who grow up in the water with parents who kayak and who brought them on their kayaks from a young age are not going to match these guidelines.  The above guidelines are for beginners on flat water (lake, pond, marsh, etc.). 

These suggestions are not for whitewater kayaking.  For river kayaking or whitewater, remember, too much too soon can scare very young kids and turn them away forever, and if you are not at all experienced as the parent, you need a guide or teacher to work with your group before you can take yourself or your kids down a river safely.

You CAN, however, take your kids and yourself with NO experience to a calm lake with life jackets and recreational kayaks and play around while you get the hang of it. 

This is especially easy with sit-on-top kayaks, as there is no risk of capsizing or taking on water.  Start slow and have fun and be safe.  Soon you will be ready for more but take it one step at a time, especially when kids are involved and if you are new to all paddling and water sports.    

The above are only general guidelines meant as a starting place.  There are MANY FACTORS, such as the development of the child, SKILL and EXPERIENCE of parents, TYPE OF WATER KAYAKING ON, CHILD'S INDIVIDUAL NATURE, TYPE of kayak, and WEATHER.      
 
These are the most common questions about age and kayaks I hear and a quick answer:

What age should I buy my kid a kayak?

• ​If your child is four or five I would recommend buying a child-sized kayak and getting started right away.  The Lifetime Wave is the most widely used first kayak for kids but read here for all the kayak options.  

Can a 10-year-old kayak in whitewater? 

• It depends.  Not without prior experience certainly.  First of all, they need a teacher and practice of many essential safety skills first, and second of all, consider the nature of the child's personality.  Some kids get terrified and are turned off for life if they go too soon or before they are ready, while others can't get enough and pick up the skills easily.  Usually, kids feel most comfortable trying rapids when they are closer to the 12 to 14 year age range, though many kids with adventurous spirits and lessons learn younger.  Kids don't know their limits or what they need to know to be safe, so you are responsible for making sure they are prepared with knowledge, skill, and maturity before each new level of kayaking.      

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Can you take babies and toddlers kayaking? 

• If you are new to kayaking, get a babysitter and have fun learning to kayak yourself before revisiting this question.  

How old does my baby need to be to take with me in my solo kayak (for those who ignored the above question and answer)?

• You will not be able to hold a baby and paddle so you need to be in a tandem kayak.
• If you are holding a baby in a tandem kayak or canoe, they need to be old enough to be able to hold their head up well enough to survive with a life-jacket on if they were thrown into the water and floating around alone (lovely thought, right?). 

Can I tandem kayak with a baby or toddler? 

• If your partner is proficient at paddling the tandem kayak, then you may hold your child in your lap in the front seat of the kayak (bow) and take a short spin on flat water.  

How old do you have to be to paddle a kayak?

• At 4-6 years old many kids enjoy getting their first child-size paddle which will serve them well up to about 12-years-old. 
• At 4-7-years-old, many kids may like to "help paddle," a tandem, but it is not until a child is 8 or older that they are a very useful paddler on a tandem kayak, which is why they need to be with an experienced paddler.  

*Safety Legal Disclaimer: Everything on this site is a matter of opinion, gathered from experience and many hundreds of other's opinions,  and should not be taken as professional advice.  Please use the suggestions as a starting place to conduct your own research and make decisions based on what is safe for you and your family.  Above all, I urge you to make smart choices and keep your kids and yourself safe.  Kayaking is loads of fun, but you need to use your common sense and always err on the side of safety when there is any question of skill level, weather, etc.     

What kayak is best for my kid?

You have decided kayaking is something you want to look into for your son or daughter, but where do you start? 

What kind of kayak should you choose? 
Should you get a sit-on-top or sit-inside? 
A hard shell or inflatable?
A solo kayak or tandem? 
What style of kayak is the safest, most comfortable, easiest to use, ​

We have three boys and a river in our backyard. 
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We can tell you that kayaking is an enjoyable and affordable adventure sport. 

Getting started is very simple.    

With the right kayak for their age, kids can learn to maneuver a kayak in just a few minutes.  It is ridiculously easy for them to figure it out.  The new sit-on-top kayaks are even easy enough for a five-year-old to use.  You don't have to be an experienced kayaker yourself to get your kids into kayaking either. 

With the confidence of the right life jacket, choosing appropriate calm water, a day with good weather (including no wind) and the right beginner kayak, your kid will be paddling away faster than you can keep up.