A thirty-something married couple and their three-year-old daughter head out on a river rafting adventure. Where do they go? What do they bring? How do they make it fun?

Read on, river friends, as I give tips for a safe and memorable journey.

The Itineraries: Where to go rafting with Children?

With a toddler on board, the days of Class IV and V whitewater are behind us. We’re looking for calm, flat waters with incredible scenery, gigantic beaches and day hikes that are easily accessible from camp.

Here are my picks for the best family-friendly trips in southwestern Colorado:

Ruby-Horsethief Canyon, from Loma to Westwater. 25 miles. 2-3 days. No permit required. Large campsites and great side canyon hikes. Go during the week if possible, as this section gets an influx of motorized boat traffic on the weekends.

San Juan River, from Mexican Hat to Clay Hills. 58 miles. 4-5 days. Permit required. A calm, scenic and historic canyon, perfect for families. Class II and III rapids, plus occasional sand waves make for a slightly exciting ride. Commercial trips available.

The Essentials: What do you bring on a rafting trip with children?

 

Whether you’re rowing your own boat or going on a guided trip, the packing list can seem endless, especially with children. Here are a few things my daughter can’t live without.

Life Jacket. A life jacket is an absolute with all water play. For an infant or young child (under 50 lbs.), look for model with a safety leg strap, such as the NRS Youth Crew or the MTI Children’s PFD. Most toddlers will not like the cumbersome feeling of a PFD. Be clear about your rules before launch day. Make the jacket into a fun piece of art by adding colorful patches.

Water resistant clothing. Don’t pack cotton! It’s your worst enemy on a river trip. Keep your kids happy and dry with tops and bottoms made from quick-drying Neoprene or nylon. The NRS Youth HydroSilk Shirt is a great option and has the built-in bonus of 50 UPF sun protection.

Duffle dry bag. I like my daughter to be responsible for her own things, so she gets her very own dry bag. We both prefer a duffle because we hate digging. Check out the clear NRS Expedition DriDuffle so your kids can see what they’ve packed. Easier to see means easier to find!

Small soft cooler for day hikes. Be sure to bring a portable cooler for adventures on foot. Keep lunch, snacks and drinks cool with the NRS Dura Soft Cooler. With temperature-reflective Mylar® and closed-cell foam insulation, it has all the benefits of a hard-sided cooler, plus a comfortable shoulder strap, D-rings to strap to your boat, and removable lining for easy care.

River shoes. Save the flip-flops and sandals for camp, and make well-fitting water shoes mandatory on the boat. We like the Keen Newport H2 for toddlers. Good support and a million different fun colors.

Bandannas. We’re a fair-skinned family, and I’m constantly looking for ways to make sun protection fun. Here’s a low-cost, low-weight solution. Bring a collection of bandannas to drape around necks, across legs and under hats. Dip them in the river before use for a sweet cool-off.

Sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, kids camp chair, vegetation books, and a boatload of imagination!

 

The Riverside Fun: What activities can I do with my child while rafting?

 

Floating the river is an adventure, but some of the best times can be had at camp.

River rock collecting. Spend an afternoon combing the beach for smooth river rocks. Bring home the collection as a simple reminder of those lazy river days.

Costume night. Pack a few costumes for a fun night at camp. Princesses, knights and goblins provide memorable entertainment before bedtime.

Pool time. Bring an inflatable pool and set it up in the shade at camp. It’s a safe and fun cool-off for the littlest of river runners.

By Sarah Daily

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His website, Life and Times in the Great Outdoors offers information about fishing and hunting.  He lives in Minesota and goes fishing every week.  Here Greg Clusiau shares with us a video he created after bringing a group of school age children ice fishing.

If you need inspiration or advice from someone who fishes you should contact Greg Clusiau at Life and Times in the Great Outdoors.

 "Fly fishing is for those who hold that the fun in the race of life is in the running, not just the winning, that existence is its own justification, that a day spent in a stream or a pond with a goal in mind is a joy even if the goal is not achieved, though a greater joy if it is."

~by Jon Margolis and Jeff MacNelly, How to Fool Fish with Feathers~

Fly fishing is wonderful sport to share with your children, even at a very early age.  Among Allie’s first words was fly fishing. She was out in the boat fishing in high water when she was only 5 weeks of age and "assisted" me in catching a beautiful rainbow trout.  Of course, we took all safety precautions!

Fly fishing with infants and toddlers

With infants, it is easy to fly fish with baby in a front carrier. It's always important to make sure your child has eye protection. We love the Julbo Looping sunglasses. (At the time of the pic, we had different sunglasses that Allie would take off during a drift, and Jamie would put back on when he was casting. With the Julbos we did not have this problem, as they have a strap and she kept them on). Allie also floated the Madison at 3 months.  She mainly did a lot of sleeping. Even if this is the case with your child, it is such a special bonding time and a great way to spend time outdoors with your little one!

With toddlers, I recommend using the backpack style carrier.  Again eye protection is essential not just for protection from the sun, but from flies and hooks. When both parents are present, it works nicely to tag-team (one parent fishes, while the other explores the bank with their child looking for rocks, bugs, etc. and wades in the water).  This not only gives the child a variety of experiences, it also gives each parent one-on-one time with him or her.

My husband Jamie wants to start two-year-old Allie with a practice rod this summer. I’m a little skeptical, but I will let you know how this turns out!

Taking your kids on a guided trip

Jamie Rouse, 2007 Orvis Guide of the Year, (but more importantly, Allie’s Daddy) has a lot of experience guiding kids. Frequently he is asked: How old should they be to start fly fishing or go on a guided trip? Should we book a full or half day? Parents need to realize that the day is all about the kids--not for the adults to get some serious fishing in for themselves. Certainly every kid is different, so Jamie tailors the trip to fit the age and experience level of each one.  For the younger ones, he may make it more like a game.  As soon as his charge stops having fun, then it's time to go.  This does not necessarily mean leaving the river, but maybe changing to another activity, like hiking, skipping rocks, turning rocks over to look at aquatic bugs--PLAY!

What if I am new to fly fishing? 

If you as a parent have little or no experience fly fishing and want to learn as well as teach your child, check out Orvis for Endorsed Guides and Casting Instructors in your area.

Good times and places to fly fish

There are great places all over the world to fly fish. Some fisheries in moderate climates are year round while others have specific seasons. It would be a good idea to check with the local guide service or fly shop before you plan your trip to see when would be the best time to go. And certainly consider what environment your kids would most enjoy! A good starting point would be Orvis. (Refer to the link in the above section). They currently have Endorsed Guides in North America, Caribbean/Central America, South America, New Zealand, Europe, and Africa.

Environmental issues and fly fishing 

It is hard to be an angler and not want to help protect the fisheries. Trout Unlimited has been conserving, protecting, and restoring coldwater fisheries and their watersheds in North America for 50 years. Here are the proper Catch and Release techniques listed on their website:

“Done properly, catch-and-release can make the difference between a fish that lives to see another day and reproduce or one that doesn't. Here are some tips for proper catch and release techniques from Trout Unlimited: * Don't play fish to exhaustion. To prevent a fatal lactic acid build up, bring fish in quickly and use a landing net. * Handle fish with wet hands, grasping them across the back and head. * Don't remove swallowed hooks; just cut the line. * Don't keep the fish out of the water for more than 10-15 seconds. * When placing fish back in moving water, face them upstream in their natural position.”

Fly fishing provides a great opportunity to learn about different species of fish, and other aquatic life as well as their environment.  Talk about an outdoor classroom!!  What better place to educate your child about, and instill an appreciation for, the world around him than an alive and thriving river, where he can use all his senses to experience so many of the wonders of life!

Kati Rouse

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Share your stories about fishing on OutdoorBaby.net and run the chance to win some great giveaways like the one from  Osprey Packs.

These water proof breathable pants for children are lightweight and packable.  They have pockets and are comfortable with articulated knees.

Overall we felt like these pants were a great addition to an outdoor wardrobe.  The REI's Ulra Light Pants are roomy enough that a child can wear fleece pants underneath them.  Therefore can be part of a winter clothing system.

Con: The cuffs don't have an interior elastic system that fits snuggly around children boots.  We believe that this is key for young children.

Rei's MTS Midweight Underwear for kids come in a girl and boy friendly colors, they are rated UPF + 50 and quick drying and are made from Lycra and polyester.  We tested out the top and bottom.

Pros: Fits well and will grow with child.  Fun design that makes them look pretty good compared to basic long underwear. Holds up in the wash, can be used as a cover all bathing suit.

Cons:  A weird thing to say for a synthetic product but they feel kind of synthetic.  They don't add a lot of warmth.

Previous long underwear review:  Link

Personally, I am not a huge fan of fishing but lots of people find it’s a lot of fun.  Introducing fishing to young children can also lead to some interesting lessons.  For example, it’s a great way to explain about our food chain.  Also, since fishing is a slow sport, it can teach children about patience, accomplishments and the satisfaction of working for your food.  You don’t have to be really fit or athletic to enjoy fishing, so it can even be a great way for grandparents, disabled family members and the blind to spend time with children outdoors.

When I was a young child my father ran a fishing boat.  I saw him go out to sea on it and I can remember the fear that I had when I heard the wind blow through the windows of our cape home.  At one point when I was in early elementary school, he brought me and a friend fishing by a river and he got a hook stuck in his thumb.  I had to go to the hospital with him so that he could get the stitches.  My friend got a slug on her foot and he pulled it out and I put some antibacterial cream on it.  These experiences stuck with me.  I have strong images of a fat fish not wanting to bite our bait because he could see us.  I see my father wincing in pain with tears in his eyes as the doctor stitches him up, or my friend’s horror as she discovers she cannot put her foot in her shoe because a huge black creature is stuck to her foot.

These stories may not inspire you to go out and fish with your kids, maybe that is why I started by saying that fishing is not high on my list of activities to do with my daughters, but I do see the good in having had these life experiences.  Of course, going fishing with children isn’t usually traumatic; just a casual way to have fun!.  We are lucky to have a fish hatchery near our house and that is how I introduce my girls to fishing.

1.       Visit a hatchery:

Although there is no fishing at a hatchery, children can watch the fish, feed them and learn about how they grow.  They can meet knowledgeable workers who  will likely tell them about various breeds of fish and stocking practices. Often a hatchery will have a children’s pond where fishing is allowed.

2.      Read books

After visiting the hatchery, my daughter often asks me to read books that have pictures of fish and to look at the different attributes of different families of fish.

3.      Gear

Fish hatcheries or local sporting goods shops will have basic fishing poles and bait.  What child does not love to dig up worms in a garden?  Once, we made friends with a little girl at a nearby park who had a pink Barbie fishing pole and neon colored bate.  Both Cora and the little girl went by the river and tried to catch fish.

4.       Trip:

Once your child seems interested (and you are pretty confident in your skills), go ahead and plan a canoe or hiking trip where one of the meals is going to be caught fish.  To avoid disappointment, be sure to pick a spot where you can be pretty assured of success.  Ten years ago, when I was on a canoe trip with some friends we ran into a family that caught all their meals.  One of my friends was so interested that she learned how to gut a fish.  She learned the skill in her twenties while the ten year old boy was the teacher. I am sure that child understands at least a bit about the energy it takes to bring food to our tables each night.

Heidi Ahrens

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These small compact towels fit in any of your pockets and are practical to wipe up spills, dry off or even to be used as en emergency diaper.  They are so compact and light weight that you can afford the luxury of bringing a towel on a backpacking trip.

We tested out these light load towels and found that they did absorb water but not big spills.  They can work as a diaper in a pinch if you have a diaper cover to put over them.  The texture of these towels is fine but leaves the skin still slightly damp.

They can be washed again and again but then they are not as compact.If you get some of these I would not open them until you really need them. We found these towels to be good stocking stuffers for the outdoor enthousiasts in our lives.

I know some of you are going to say:  “Come on, why steps for building a sand castle?  You would be surprised; some people have never had the opportunity; so if they do want to give it a try, shouldn’t they get some advice on the most effective techniques?

Remember:  A sand castle is really a sand creation.  It can take any shape you would like:  a mermaid, a city, a frog, a shoe, whatever you like.    Also,  you can make a sand creation at the beach or in your sand box.

1.      Containers:

Yes, they sell sand buckets, shovels and special shaped gadgets, but you can use old yogurt containers and get the same results.

2.      Sand quality

You can’t make a sand castle with dry sand.  You need wet sand but not drippy. It needs to be able to lump.  Your sand should also be smooth and free of debris.

3.      Props

Shells, seaweed, garbage, bottles, bottle caps, old straws, can be used to create bridges, tunnels or to decorate your finished product.

4.      Location

Make sure your build your sand castle far  from the rising tide.  If not, your creation is going to be under water soon enough.   If you build it too far away from the shore it will be hard to keep the sand moist.

Heidi Ahrens

Share your stories on OutdoorBaby.net, win some great giveaways and be an inspiration to other families.

I don’t know about you but I am over putting iodine or bleach in my water.  It may be because I spent many years using these chemicals to make sure my water was good to drink and then had to make sure I replenished  the flora of my stomach with acidophilus.  I now use water filters, but they are bulky, heavy and take up pack room.  They can be a challenge to use while dealing with children as well.

There is a new product on the market called a steri pen.  You simply take this battery operated wand and place it inside your water bottle and within ninety seconds you get 1 liter of water sterilized and ready for consumption.    Your water is purified by an ultra violet light. The whole device weights 4.5 oz and will clean 50 liters of water using one set of batteries.

We tested the Steripen journey LCD

Pro: light, no chemicals, no pumping or losing parts, great for foreign travel or small trips, ease of use by or for children, easy to access and quick for a small amount of water, comes in handy belt or pack strap carrying case

Con:  Using this product in a desert environment would be hard because you need a readily available water source, if not you would need many water containers, does not take away sediments so when getting water let’s say from a cow watering hole it may still be thick (I did not test the product in this kind of environment), need to bring many batteries on a long trip or when using the steri pen for many people,

Earthlust’s tag line, Sustainability with Style, sure got my attention.  As a mom who strives to make environmentally-conscious decisions to make sure that we protect the resources I so much want my daughters and readers to enjoy, it is sometimes hard to still feel stylish.  When you are concerned with hydrating your little ones on different outings you can seem like a frazzled nanny instead of a hip cool-looking mom.  Well, Earthlust has a line of BPA free, stainless steel water bottles with limited edition nature-inspired designs that look cool on the trail, in your car or in an upper west side park.   I hope my bottle will continue looking shiny and clean.  As I say to my daughter “that is my water bottle; I want it so that I can look like a fashionable adult,” she says “OK  maman, give me a sip,” and she takes it and drags it off around the house.

It is a sand castle, sand play, and creature observation kit that is made of foldable plastic (all the parts fold up flat!).  It comes in a flat carrying case and is BPA free.  It takes no room in your car or suitcase if you are going to a destination vacation.  No messy car and no wasteful purchase of sand toys you leave behind while on vacation.  Simply snap the different parts together and you have a shovel, bucket, sifter, mold and a viewing aquarium.  The only drawback is that it comes with only one shovel.  When you take this toy out, the whole park wants to join in the fun, and one shovel does not really cut it.  Also, most families have more than one child and another shovel should be included.