Written by Kalani Watson

5 Reasons Why You Should Go Paddle Boarding with Your Kids

I can't tell you how many people stop me during our travels surprised that all my kiddos (ages 5-14) are going paddle boarding with us. The truth is, it's an awesome activity for all families because it gets everyone outside and enjoying nature. It also helps your kids build new life skills that will help them grow as individuals. *Before you take your kids paddle boarding, don't forget to teach them paddle board and water safety.

1. It's a great exercise for kids

My husband and kids spend a lot of time on the trails and in the mountains. It has been so fun to mix things up with a paddle boarding adventure. We still are able to hike the trails but now we can get on the lake also. In addition to the many health benefits of paddle boarding, it's also a fantastic, low impact exercise that combines balance, strength and endurance- whether you are paddling or just balancing on the board. The best part is my kids are having so much they forget that paddling is an exercise!

2. Paddle boarding gets them outside

Ah, the great outdoors! I want to teach my kids to have an incredible love and respect for nature. I feel the best way to do that is to spend a lot of time outside with them. Paddle boarding takes you to some of the most beautiful places - lakes, oceans and rivers. You get to experience the landscape in a new way and enjoy the beauty all around.

3. You get to spend quality time together 

Put your phones away and turn the screens off. There are so many distractions in the palm of our hands nowadays- parents included! Take some time away from it all. Load up the car and drive to the beach or up to that hidden alpine lake for an all day adventure. Bring sack lunches, eat in the sand and talk to each other - about anything and everything. Laugh together or at each other as you try a headstand on the board. Paddle out and jump off the board together on the count of 3 into the freezing water. I can promise it will be one of the best days and greatest memories for you and your children for a long time to come.

4. It teaches your kids new skills and builds confidence

There a lot of life skills your kids will learn from paddle boarding. When you go paddle boarding with kids they will learn how to properly pack/organize for the day, how to be safe on the water and how to properly take care of a board. Overall, they learn how to be responsible. As my kids continue to learn these new skills I see their confidence build. When I let my 12-year-old go out on the board by herself after she had demonstrated that she felt comfortable and was ready- she was beaming with confidence. She ran into some rougher water and fell off the board towards the end but that in itself was a great learning experience.  Not only did she learn something new about paddle boarding that day but she learned a lot about herself. She learned that she can conquer hard tasks, she can trust herself and she is strong enough to persevere in a challenging situation.

5. It's easy

Paddle boarding is not hard to learn and the benefits are countless. The All Around Inflatable has been great for our family. With five kids there is not much room left in the car for anything else! This blow up paddle board is light and compact.  It is easy to transport,hike with and it's easy to set up. As I mentioned before, my younger kids LOVE to pump up the inflatable paddle board and I think it will forever be their new job!