A canoe ride is a fun trip in the outdoors. Your toddler will also have lots of fun. But you still want them to have a safe trip in the canoe. So, here are a few tips to keep them safe for this adventure.
Invest in a proper-fitting toddler-sized life vest. It is crucial that they wear this vest at all times when they are near the water. In fact, you want to put the vest on this first before you get the canoe ready. Rivers often have unseen currents. The vest will keep them afloat if they fall in the water. No toddler has the strength to swim against these currents even if they do know how to swim.
Take some time to have them wear the vest before they get in the canoe. There might be an initial balking at wearing it. If you put it on beforehand, then you can address any issues and they will become far more comfortable wearing it. You can also take the vest to a pool so they understand how it works in the water.
Place the toddler directly in the middle of the canoe. Make sure you have a parent sitting behind to make sure they don’t get too excited and stand up suddenly. Additionally, make certain that the canoe is properly balanced so that small amounts of shifting don’t tip the canoe over.
Before your trip, take all the precautions to keep your toddler calm. Make sure they are fed, aren’t overly tired, and have taken care of bathroom issues before getting into the canoe. This will save you all kinds of trouble in the long run.
Plan to take a fairly short trip the first time you take your toddler out in the canoe. This will help them get an idea of what to expect the next time. You can also address any issues that your toddler has during this little trip. Don’t try to make it down a river or spend more than about half an hour at least for the first time. On later trips, you will still need to accommodate your toddler’s tolerance on sitting still.
You can take your toddler out in a canoe. Remember to put safety at the forefront and make sure that life vest fits properly. Your toddler can have fun while riding in the canoe.