Paddleboarding with children is so much more than just a simple ride! Races, treasure hunts, balance games, or team challenges: a few boards and a bit of imagination are all you need to turn a day on the water into an adventure.
Here are 7 water activities for youth, ideal for summer camps, school trips, recreation centers, or family days. These ideas are easy to adapt for all skill levels!
1. Paddleboard Relay Race
A classic team water game! Form several groups and mark out a course with buoys. Each participant must complete the round trip before passing the baton to the next person.
To vary the rounds: paddle on your knees, slalom, paddle backward, or carry a floating object without dropping it.
For young paddlers, a board specially designed for children, like the Retrospec Nano 8'6'', is easier to maneuver than an adult model.
2. Giant Paddleboard Challenge
Several participants, one board, and one goal: move forward together!
With a multi-person SUP board, offer different challenges: synchronize paddle strokes, perform a U-turn, follow a captain's instructions, or navigate in silence.
An excellent activity to build cooperation and team spirit, with guaranteed laughs.
To play in groups, check out the Retrospec Crew 12' for small groups or the Crew XL 15' for larger groups.
3. Treasure Hunt on the Water
Turn a paddleboard or kayak outing into a real exploration!
Place several clues along a marked course. Each team must solve riddles, find colored buoys, identify lake animals, or complete a small maneuver to discover the location of the final treasure.
Tip: use illustrated clues for younger children and navigation challenges for teenagers.
4. Nautical Olympics
Ideal for a half-day event, paddleboard Olympics allow you to organize several small challenges accessible to everyone:
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Slalom: navigate around buoys.
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Balance: stand up, then squat.
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Precision: pass between two markers.
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U-turn: rotate your board.
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Synchronization: move at the same rhythm as a partner.
Each team earns points, but don't forget to also reward perseverance and teamwork!
5. Nautical Hike with a Picnic
No competition needed to enjoy a great family or group outdoor activity!
Choose a quiet bay or an accessible beach and head out to explore it by paddleboard, kayak, or canoe. To make the ride more fun, give the kids a mission: bird watching, identifying aquatic plants, or following a route on a map.
Plan a route suitable for the least experienced, use a dry bag to protect your belongings, and the Outdoor Master backpack cooler to keep snacks and drinks cool.
6. Water Challenge Rally
A perfect game to introduce children to water sports by alternating between workshops on the beach and on the water.
A few mission ideas:
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Identify the different parts of a paddleboard.
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Identify safety equipment.
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Learn how to hold and use a paddle.
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Reach a buoy and return.
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Solve a group riddle.
Each participant can receive a small passport to be stamped after each challenge. A fun way to learn the basics of navigation!
7. Little Navigators School: Balance and Freestyle
Once they’ve mastered the first few strokes, it’s time for balance games and paddleboard tricks!
Level 1 — Balance: go from kneeling to standing, squat, move your feet on the board, or play "statue."
Level 2 — Freestyle: spin around, perform a U-turn, adopt a surfer stance, or invent a short routine.
Level 3 — Advanced Techniques: learn the pivot turn (rotation while stepping back on the board), the cross-bow turn, and the cross-step.
End the activity with an awards ceremony: Balance Champion, Turn Expert, or Freestyle Master!
The goal? To build confidence, motor skills, and above all, to make children want to try paddleboarding again.
What equipment do you need to organize water activities with children?
A few well-chosen pieces of equipment make outings simpler and more enjoyable:
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Retrospec Nano 8'6'': specially designed for children, this small board is easy to handle and ideal for learning while having fun.
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Retrospec Weekender 10'6: ideal for teenagers, a simple, stable, and efficient board for discovering SUP, participating in water games, and building confidence.
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Shark 3 Electric Pump: perfect for preparing several boards effortlessly! It can inflate up to 5 boards during a family or group outing.
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Kids' Poncho: practical for drying off, changing, and warming up after playing on the water.
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MTL B BOARD Balance Board: to continue developing balance and coordination at home, even off-season, with a model adapted to their age.
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Kids' PFDs: essential for enjoying water activities safely.
For a successful outing, choose a calm body of water, a marked-off area, and appropriate supervision. Balance and freestyle games require an open space, deep enough to avoid hitting the bottom in case of a fall.
Our ambassador Marie-Eve Ricard shares excellent advice regarding paddleboard safety; find her blog post and her YouTube video to supervise your group with peace of mind.
Introducing youth to paddleboarding: over to you!
Races, adventures, technical challenges, or simple moments on the lake: SUP offers a multitude of possibilities to get kids moving, build their confidence, and share the joy of being on the water.
Would you like to offer these activities at your school, day camp, or outdoor center?
At SUP Montréal, we assist organizations with the purchase or seasonal rental of paddleboards, the selection of equipment, and the setup of their water activities.
Discover our solutions for schools and organizations or contact our team to discuss your project.