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Canoe camping with kids can be one of the most rewarding—and wildly unpredictable—family adventures out there. The beauty of paddling your gear into a remote site is that, unlike backpacking, you’ve got space. Space to pack a little extra. Space to bring comfort items, backup clothes, and yes, even a few treats to keep everyone happy.
But with great space comes great responsibility—especially when little ones are along for the ride. Whether it’s your first multi-day canoe trip as a family or your fifth, having a solid packing plan can mean the difference between “that was amazing” and “never again.” From emergency gear and kid-friendly medical kits to clothing that actually keeps everyone warm and dry, this guide covers what you really need (and what you can skip) to make your next trip safe, smooth, and memorable.
Let’s jump in.
The packing list
When you’re out on the water with kids, a little preparation goes a long way. These are the non-negotiables—the gear that keeps everyone comfortable, fed, and safe. Think of this as your foundation: the must-haves that make the difference between a fun adventure and a soggy, stressful one.
5-10L Emergency Dry Bag: One for each family member. The idea? If the canoe tips, having dry clothes and emergency items that can get everyone dry and warm, and keep them safe is incredibly important. Each dry bag has its own: small food supply, a down jacket, extra rain gear, emergency beacon, medical kit, headlamp, a lighter (that works), and fire starter.
Kid-Friendly Medical Kit: (In addition to a more robust 5–10-person adventure medical kit with things like splints, gauzes, etc.) be sure to have items that are kid-specific: Kid’s Tylenol and/or Advil, Pepto Bismol, and (many) Band-Aids.
Clothing: Pack layers for everyone! Consider bringing merino underwear and socks, merino base layers, mid layer (lightweight down), waterproof jacket and pants (always), winter jacket (only one in the emergency bag if temperate), duck boots, wool toque (so much heat is lost through the head), and gloves. PACK EXTRA! You might be happy getting by on one or two t-shirts for 5 days but your kiddos won’t want to go near wet or soiled clothes, so have extras as a clean and dry stash.
Sleeping: Bring sleeping bags or sleeping suits that fit the kids (important: sleeping bags that are too big and leave too much space around the kiddos mean less effective warming—and colder kids at night) and air mattresses for everyone/enough to fill the tent.
Seasonal Gear: Hats for keeping sun off their faces and sun stroke at bay (yes, it’s a constant battle to keep hats and sunglasses on), and sunscreen.
Food: Here’s where you can really go wild (within the constraints of your canoe and family sizes). This isn’t something you need to minimize, pack whatever your canoe can handle that your kids will eat! Have a smaller canoe and more people? Consider some dehydrated meals to save some space and weight.
A caveat: Know your canoe route and pack light if you need to portage. If there are sections of your trip that require portage, minimize weight and make all your bags as portable as possible (consider something like the Highwater dry bags that have backpack straps).
Snacks: A category all to itself, be sure to pack LOTS of simple snacks (like bars, granola, chocolate). In canoe trips and backcountry trips these are all a great source of energy for the kids - plus they’re satisfying, can give a little kick of happiness with the sugar, and they’ll burn it off ASAP. If you can keep packaging to a minimum, that’s a win; less chance of garbage getting left behind at your site.
Water: Always have a water filter. Pro tip: don’t store it in cold storage locations; freezing water filters can break the membrane, which is something that’s not a ‘maybe this will work for one more season’ kind of risk to take. If it’s broken/cracked, buy a new one. Start everyone with one bottle full of water and then use the water filter or melting snow to create more clean water rather than packing reserves.
Toiletries + Diapers: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, hairbrushes (if that’s your thing!), a few washcloths and some biodegradable soap should do the trick for toiletries. With little ones still in diapers: pack more than you think you need (changing them more frequently becomes important as you want them as dry as possible, as often as possible, to fend off chills and colds). And be prepared to pack them out; have a system in place to pack out your used diapers (and other garbage, too, of course).
Kid-Sized, Properly Fitted PFDs: This is non-negotiable. Every kid (and adult!) needs a PFD, and it has to fit properly. A life jacket that’s too big can slip off in the water, and one that’s too tight is uncomfortable (and more likely to get taken off). Look for one that’s Coast Guard-approved, fits snugly when all straps are adjusted, and includes a crotch strap for smaller kids to keep it secure—like the REV or Little Legends life vest. A grab handle on the back can make all the difference if you need to lift your child back into the canoe. Always do a fit check before heading out: buckle it up, tighten the straps, and give a gentle tug at the shoulders—if it rides up past their chin or ears, it’s too loose.
What to Leave Behind
There’s a lot of gear you a may think you might need that can be replaced by gear you’d already be packing. A play pen may seem like something you need or a responsible thing to bring but you can leverage your tent as secure play space instead—and it has built in sun coverage for the warmer months for the babe(s).
Each family has a different level of comfort for what they use/feel safe using to support their kids. So, take your first few trips as time to experiment with what you *really* need, what you and your kids like to have with you, and what the things are that you can leave at home.
Parting Words
Canoe camping with kids isn’t just about surviving—it’s about making memories that stick. These trips can be full of magic if everyone stays warm, dry, fed, and safe. A little planning on the front end means fewer meltdowns (from kids or adults), and more time to enjoy the adventure together. Pack smart, focus on the essentials, and leave room for a little chaos—because that’s where the best stories come from.
