Places to Paddle for Families & Family Fun Floats & Family Friendly Events

Paddling is fun for the whole family, and it is becoming one of the most popular recreation sports in the country. Whether your family loves to kayak or loves to canoe, you can find padding events, canoe and kayak trips, and family fun floats happening all over the United States.

Many paddling events and races will consist of professional races, amateur races and also fun floats at the same event. In this way, many different paddlers can enjoy the event and the whole family can find events to match their skill level.

Click on the links below to find some of the best places for families and kids to kayak, canoe and paddle all over the USA.

If you have a favorite family friendly place to paddle, fun float or event, please let us know by using our handy Contact Page. We'll post it here and add it to our Family Fun Paddling Page.

The Ohio River Way Paddlefest
(normally held in June) at Coney Island in Cincinnati, Ohio

Enjoy races for pros, amateurs and a leisurely float trip. The Ohio is closed to barge traffic during the event, so the paddlers can enjoy the river safely.

Click Here for general event info, or Click Here for family and kids event info

Paddlefest on the St. Joseph River
(normally held in June) in South Bend Indiana

Has paddling events geared toward the whole family and for all ages. Whether your a paddling pro or a first time paddler, Paddlefest has an event for you.

Click Here for more information

Hiawatha Paddling Festival
(normally held in September) in Les Cheneaux Islands, Michigan located along the northern shores of Lake Huron

Open to families and all types of beginning kayakers and canoers. “Professionals in the kayaking and canoeing field will present an unbeatable venue for learning and enrichment. The event is designed to be fun, comfortable, safe facilitated by the very best instructors in the Midwest.”

Click Here for more info

Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival
(normally held late October - early November)
along the Gulf Coast of Southwest Florida.

This event includes nine days of festivities! Competitive canoe/kayak races, paddling clinics, demonstrations, family activities and more.

Click Here for more info

Click here to go back to our Places to Paddle main page.
Click here to check out our Races and Events page.
Click here to go to our Paddling for Kids page.