canoeing w/ toddler: what to bring?

Re: canoeing w/ toddler: what to bring?

• LSU628 member

  August 2014

  Maybe some water toys like a squirt gun to keep them entertained? Water, snacks, hat, water-proof shoes, cushion to sit on, sunscreen, sunglasses, hand sanitizer, those are just a few things that pop into mind.
  

  
  
  
  

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• cheesecakerunner member

  August 2014

  Definitely a toy paddle! Our 16 month old loves to help us paddle. We actually use cheapie whiffle ball bats so it doesn't matter if they get lost (though obviously, we aren't aiming to litter here). He doesn't usually eat in the boat becuase his life vest makes walking a little tricky for him.

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• mb314 member

  August 2014

  Good luck!  We took DS on a 20 minute canoe ride and the entire time he screamed "all done" and did the sign for "all done!".  But, my DS doesn't like new situations.
  
  I agree with others - toys/snacks to keep him occupied, his own "paddle" to help, suncreen (of course!), extra swim diapers, etc.

  

     
  

  

   

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• =Lee=B member

  August 2014

  We did a 2.5hr canoe trip with our then 15month old.  Has your daughter worn a life jacket before?  Ours hadn't (we prefer she is comfortable in the water without it).  We tried it on her a few days before the trip and she FREAKED.  Luckily the day of she wasn't happy with it but more or less forgot about it once in the canoe.

  My husband did about 99.9% of the paddling as my daughter was between my legs standing and was bending over the canoe touching the water and doing various things that required me to be watching her the whole time. 

  Our biggest mistake was not bringing her favorite blanket in the canoe.  She decided she wanted to nap but didn't have her blanket so didn't nap...I am positive had we brought the blanket she would have flopped down and slept...and we would have stayed on the lake longer!

  We didn't bring any toys...only rocks and sticks and other nature items so when they went over board it didn't matter.  I did bring snacks for her and she munched as needed.

  A paddle would be great but expect it to go over board.  My daughter tried to use mine...but I had to watch carefully so she didn't toss it.  She also kicked me off my seat so she could sit on it to paddle (which put her up high so needed me on the ready if she went over board!).

  Have fun!!!!

   

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