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My 15-year-old son Zev has been canoeing since he was 8 months old. As I write this, he’s on his own adventure paddling across the Canadian Prairies. His final destination is the Churchill River Canoe Outfitters in Missinipe, Northern Saskatchewan where he’ll be working this summer. Canmore, Alberta to Missinipe, Saskatchewan by water - only in Canada!
Zev may feel like he’s stepping into his own movie on his journey because he did much of the route when he was 2 years old. The 2009 National Film Board film, ‘Finding Farley’, follows our family’s cross-country journey by canoe, train, and sailboat through the Prairies, the North and the Maritimes of Canada; the settings of Farley Mowat’s most famous books.
That canoe trip from Canmore to Hudson Bay was our first exposure to paddling in boreal shield country. Every summer since then we’ve joined ranks with other families for an annual two-week canoe trip on rivers like the Churchill, the Berens, and the Bloodvein. Here are a few things we have learned about paddling with kids along the way.
Location
Thinking of Saskatchewan drums up images of wide-open prairies. But, if you head just a few hours north of Saskatoon, you’re in classic Canadian shield, a landscape that literally shaped the modern canoe. From the air, it looks like it’s mostly water with a bit of rock and scrub forest strewn through it. It’s a paddler's dream.
There are 4 main reasons the boreal shield rivers are perfect for canoeing with kids:
- Warm water.
- Camping on rocky shield outcrops is stunning.
- Fishing!
- The risks associated with paddling white water are manageable.
Note on Whitewater:
One trip we did on the Churchill River had an age range of 3-73 years old. There was plenty of white water, but the beauty of shield rivers is its slack water right up until you reach the rapids. There is plenty of time to get out and scout the rapids. Sometimes the kids head down the portage trail with one adult while a few expert paddlers run the canoes down. Other times, boats are lined or portaged. These little puzzles are a big part of the fun of running these boreal rivers.
Timing
When most people think of the northern Canadian Shield, they think of bugs (cue the NFB classic short film 'Black Fly'). This is true in some places at certain times of year. We’ve found that if you go in August, it’s really not buggy. Believe me, I know from experience. Go in August.
Distance
For the kids, it’s all about camping, so build in lots of time for that. We like to have 10-12 days for these trips, and we’ve found that if you plan to cover about 15km per day and build in a layover day or two, that’s about right for distance.
Heading out on canoe trips with a couple other families is more efficient because everyone takes a turn cooking and doing chores. And, there are more eyes to look out for the kids, more musical talents, more jokes, more fun! Keep in mind: at least one family should have intermediate canoeing skills, and everyone should be accustomed to wilderness camping.
Tips and Tricks
1. Be an Expert Tarp Builder
A good tarp is the difference between happiness and misery on rainy days. What makes a good tarp? It’s big enough for your whole group to get under and has enough space for a dry corner for cooking. And, it has releasable knots, so if it blows down in a big wind gust, you can quickly release the tie downs and start over. The tarp can also double as a sail on windy days.
2. Bring a Dutch Oven
Kid-friendly meals and treats like calzones, baked mac and cheese, deep fried fish and chips and cinnamon buns can all be on the menu if you bring a Dutch oven. Whether you're kayaking with kids or canoeing with kids, having delicious meals ready makes the adventure even better.
3. Stuff
Don’t bring too much stuff! On these trips you will be portaging. Sure, you’ve got lots of hands to carry stuff, but packing and unpacking are not the fun parts of the trip. So, leave the lawn chairs, beach toys, pillows, etc. at home.
The magic of these trips is when you’re in the flow. You’ve got your systems down, it’s all routine and nothing much matters other than the place you’re in and people you’re with. As the years go by we need less stuff. Canoeing or kayaking with kids becomes even more enjoyable when you simplify. As the years go by we need less stuff. Less stuff = more flow.
Here are some nice things to take that don’t take up a lot of space:
- Lightweight hammock
- Lightweight grill for cooking on campfires
- Fishing rod (one per family, net, a variety of lures, Leatherman or pliers for releasing small fish)
- Good fillet knife and cutting board for processing fish
- Deck of cards
Kayaking Essentials 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: 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. Dry bags are an essential part of any water adventure, whether you’re canoeing or kayaking with kids.
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. Having the right safety gear can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and safe trip.
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. Don’t forget life jackets for kids—a basic but vital part of every trip on the water (so vital we’ll mention it again below).
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. Whether you're out for a weekend of canoeing with kids or introducing them to a kids kayak adventure, a good night’s sleep should never be underestimated.
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. Safety gear, like appropriate UV clothing and sun protection, is a must for the unpredictable elements.
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 life jackets for kids that are 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 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 a 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 with 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 things are that you can leave at home.
