Kayaking With Toddlers: Our First Trip With a 2 and 4-Year-Old at Lake Tahoe
What we learned from our first family kayak trip—and why two toddlers ended up loving every minute of it .We Didn’t Plan on Becoming a Kayaking Family
When people picture Lake Tahoe, they usually imagine crystal-clear water, paddleboards, and kayaks gliding across the lake.
For years, we admired that view from the shore.
This summer, we decided it was time to experience it instead.
After hiking Mount Tallac as a family and starting swim lessons with our kids, kayaking felt like the next adventure to try. We weren’t sure how a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old would do sitting in a kayak for nearly an hour, but we also knew the only way to find out was to give them the opportunity.
Living in Lake Tahoe has taught us that some of the best memories are the ones closest to home. Sometimes they’re the places you’ve driven past a hundred times but never experienced.
For our family’s first kayak trip, Baldwin Beach felt like the perfect place to start.
Why We Chose Baldwin Beach
When you’re carrying a two-person kayak, life jackets, a dry bag backpack, snacks, towels, and two toddlers, convenience suddenly becomes a very important feature.
That’s exactly why we chose Baldwin Beach.
The short walk from the parking lot to the shoreline meant we spent less time hauling gear and more time enjoying the adventure.
As if the easy access wasn’t enough, Baldwin Beach is also one of the most beautiful places on Lake Tahoe. The water is incredibly clear, the views stretch across the lake toward Mount Tallac, and the gradual shoreline made launching the kayak feel much less intimidating for our first trip.
One thing we learned quickly: arrive early if you’re visiting during the summer.
Bryce is currently working swing shift, so getting there first thing in the morning wasn’t an option for us. We arrived around noon and were lucky enough to grab one of the last parking spots.
Originally, we had planned to launch somewhere else, but changing our plans ended up being one of the best decisions of the day.
Sometimes the backup plan turns out to be the better adventure.
For our first family paddle, the setup was simple.
Our Kayak Setup
We’ve owned this two-person kayak for years. In fact, Bryce has had it longer than we’ve even been together.
Brielle rode up front in my lap, while Jayce sat in the back with Bryce. It ended up being the perfect arrangement for keeping both kids comfortable while still giving them a front-row seat to the adventure.
Devin was out of town for this trip, but he immediately asked when he gets to come next, which made us realize this probably won’t be our last family paddle.
Two Very Different Little Adventurers
One of my favorite parts of parenting is watching how differently our kids approach the exact same adventure.
Brielle had absolutely no hesitation.
She was ready to climb into the kayak before we’d even finished unloading it. That’s classic Brielle—jump in first, ask questions later.
Jayce, on the other hand, was a little more cautious.
As soon as a few small waves gently rocked the kayak, he looked at us and asked,
“Are we going to sink?”
It was an honest question.
Both kids are still learning to swim, and Jayce has been especially nervous about putting his head underwater. We actually started swim lessons the same week as this trip, and looking back, kayaking felt like the perfect bridge between being comfortable near the water and becoming confident in it.
Before We Pushed Off
Before we ever pushed off from shore, we spent time talking through our life jackets—how they work, why we wear them, and what to do if we accidentally ended up in the water.
Because we live in Lake Tahoe, water safety is simply part of everyday life for our family.
We also reminded Jayce that we’d all been on our stand-up paddleboard together before. Even though kayaking felt new, it wasn’t completely unfamiliar.
Sometimes confidence isn’t about removing fear. It’s about helping kids realize they’ve already done something similar—and they’re more capable than they think.
On the Water
Once we pushed away from shore, everything slowed down.
We paddled about a mile over roughly 40 minutes, and honestly, I expected someone to be asking to get out after the first ten.
Instead, the biggest surprise was how content they were.
If you have toddlers, you know that forty minutes of calm, curious participation is basically a miracle.
They watched ducks float by.
They pointed at boats crossing the lake.
Asked questions about everything they could see.
And then Jayce looked across the water and said,
“Wait… that mountain?”
He was pointing at Mount Tallac.
Just a few weeks earlier, our family had stood on its summit.
From the top of the mountain, Lake Tahoe looked surprisingly small.
Now, sitting in a kayak on that same lake, the mountain towered over us.
The kids couldn’t quite wrap their heads around how the exact same places could look so different depending on where you were standing.
It became one of those unexpected homeschool moments that no lesson plan could have created.
Perspective.
Scale.
Wonder.
Those are the kinds of lessons we hope our kids remember long after they’ve forgotten how far we paddled.
By the time we headed back toward shore, they were already asking two questions:
“When can we hike another mountain?”
“And when can we go kayaking again?”
I think there’s something incredibly calming about being out on the water.
The slower pace.
The quiet.
The feeling of simply floating together.
But after that afternoon, I completely understood why so many families fall in love with kayaking.
Letting Kids Be Part of the Adventure
Both Brielle and Jayce insisted on helping paddle.
So we handed them paddles.
Were they actually helping?
Not even a little.
Did we move significantly slower?
Absolutely.
Would I do it exactly the same way again?
Without question.
Because they weren’t just pretending.
In their minds, they were part of the team.
They weren’t just passengers. They were part of the experience.
Whether we’re hiking, camping, kayaking, or building something together in the backyard, we want our kids to feel like they’re contributing—not just along for the ride.
One lesson I definitely wasn’t expecting?
Apparently, I grip a kayak paddle a little too enthusiastically.
By the end of the trip, I had managed to give myself two small cuts on my hands.
Needless to say, paddle gloves have officially been added to our packing list for next time.
Our Family’s Kayaking Gear
One thing you’ll notice about our gear recommendations is that we only share products we’ve actually taken on our own adventures.
We’re not interested in recommending something just because it pays a commission.
If we wouldn’t pack it for our own family, it doesn’t make it onto this list.
The MVP: Our Dry Bag Backpack
If I had to recommend just one thing from this entire trip, it would be our dry bag backpack.
We originally bought it for a river rafting trip and later brought it with us on our Alaska honeymoon. Since then, it’s quietly become one of those pieces of gear that ends up coming on almost every adventure.
What we love most is that it’s a backpack—not just a traditional dry bag.
Most dry bags are designed with a single strap or handle, which is fine until you’re also carrying a kayak, helping toddlers into life jackets, or chasing kids across a beach.
Being able to throw it on our backs kept our hands free and made getting from the parking lot to the water so much easier.
On this trip it carried:
- Towels
- Water bottles
- Phones
- Wallets
- Snacks
- Lunch
- Keys
…with room to spare.
Knowing everything would stay dry if water splashed in—or if someone accidentally tipped the bag over—gave us one less thing to worry about.
For families who plan to spend time kayaking, paddleboarding, rafting, or even hiking near water, I honestly think it’s worth every penny.
What We Actually Packed
These are the products we genuinely used on this trip and would happily pack again.
🎒 Dry Bag Backpack (Affiliate Link)
🦺 Kids’ Coast Guard-Approved Life Jackets (Got them at Costco)
🥾 Kids’ Water Shoes (Affiliate Link)
As our family adventures continue, we’ll keep updating this list with gear we’ve personally tested and truly recommend.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products our family genuinely uses and trusts.
Why We Keep Saying Yes to New Adventures
One of the biggest goals we have as parents is simple:
We want our kids to experience as many different adventures, hobbies, and interests as possible while they’re growing up.
Not because we expect them to love all of them.
But because we want them to discover what lights them up.
Maybe it’ll be hiking.
Maybe kayaking.
Maybe fishing, paddleboarding, camping, skiing, or something we haven’t even tried yet.
We don’t want to choose that path for them.
We want to give them the opportunity to discover it for themselves.
Every new adventure teaches something different.
Patience.
Teamwork.
Problem solving.
Confidence.
Resilience.
Sometimes the lesson isn’t even about the activity itself.
Sometimes it’s simply realizing,
“I can do things that felt impossible before.”
That’s one of the biggest reasons we keep saying yes.
Will kayaking become one of our family’s favorite summer traditions?
Honestly…
We’re not sure yet.
But we already know it won’t be our last trip.
Next on our list is paddling around DL Bliss and eventually making our way to Emerald Bay with the kids.
A few weeks ago, hiking Mount Tallac as a family felt like an impossible goal too.
Now it’s one of our favorite memories.
That’s what keeps reminding us to say yes to the next adventure.
Because you never know which one will become the story your kids tell for the rest of their lives.
Tips for Your First Kayak Trip With Toddlers
- Choose a launch spot with easy parking lot-to-water access. Carrying a kayak, gear, and toddlers is enough work without a long walk.
- Arrive early during the summer. Popular Lake Tahoe beaches fill quickly.
- Always wear properly fitted Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
- Talk through water safety before launching so your kids know what to expect.
- Connect kayaking to something familiar they’ve already done if they’re nervous.
- Bring snacks, water, and keep your first trip short enough that everyone finishes wanting more.
- Let your kids “help” paddle, even if it slows you down. Feeling included is part of the adventure.
- Pack a dry bag backpack to keep your hands free and your gear protected.
- If your kids are still learning to swim, consider adding swim lessons alongside your water adventures. Confidence grows through positive experiences over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can toddlers go kayaking?
Yes! With properly fitted Coast Guard-approved life jackets, calm water, and close adult supervision, kayaking can be a great family activity even with toddlers. Our 2- and 4-year-old loved their first trip.
How long should a first kayak trip with toddlers be?
We paddled for about 40 minutes (roughly one mile), and it felt like the perfect amount of time. Everyone finished wanting to go again instead of feeling exhausted.
Is Baldwin Beach good for kayaking?
We thought it was a great launch spot for families because of the short walk from the parking lot and the calm shoreline.
What should I pack for kayaking with kids?
- Life jackets
- Dry bag backpack
- Water
- Snacks
- Towels
- Water shoes
- Sunscreen
- Change of clothes
What age can kids start kayaking?
Every child is different, but toddlers can enjoy kayaking when they’re wearing a properly fitted life jacket, conditions are calm, and the trip is kept short and fun.
Read More Adventures
If you enjoyed following our family’s first kayak trip, you might also like:
🏔️ How Our 4-Year-Old Hiked Mount Tallac
🏕️ Our First Family Camping Trip at DL Bliss
🌲 More adventures are waiting at raisingtrailblazers.co.
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