AMC Outdoors, Web Exclusive, June 2004

What’s the secret of getting your family to love paddling as much as you do? Having fun, of course! Paddling instructors and AMC authors Bruce Lessels and Karen Blom recommend the following games in Paddling with Kids: AMC Essential Handbook for Fun and Safe Paddling.

They also offer these words of advice: Be clear and concise in your instructions, and make sure safety is a top priority. (If someone flips over, stop the game or give that person immunity.) Most games are easily modified to suit different ages; the more creative or outrageous, the better time everyone has. Let kids be as silly as they want; rest assured that they are learning whenever and however they are paddling!

Traditional landlubber games like Simon Says, Follow the Leader, Mother May I, and Red Light, Green Light are especially popular with younger kids and easily adaptable to water. When Simon says, "Paddle backwards with your hands," you’ll witness quite a scene!

Sharks and Minnows: This variation on tag is one of our favorites. One person, the shark, tags a minnow, who then becomes a shark and tries to tag other minnows. Eventually, there are lots of sharks and only one minnow paddling for his life. There are pre-established boundaries and only boat-to-boat tags are allowed. You can also limit tagging to bow-to-stern only or allow hand-to-boat tagging, but the idea is to avoid tagging with the paddle.

POY/YOP: This is another version of tag introduced to us by a Zoar Outdoor instructor who spent time paddling in Ireland. One paddler is "it" and tries to tag (hand-to-bow) everyone else. Once tagged, a paddler is frozen, raises her paddle in the air and says POY, POY, POY continuously until someone who is not "it" unfreezes her by tagging hand-to-bow. The game ends when everyone except the person who is "it" is frozen. The YOP part of the game is the reverse of POY — everyone paddles backwards and "it" must tag the stern of each person’s boat. Anyone frozen says YOP, YOP, YOP until unfrozen.

Ultimate Sponge/Dead Fish Polo: This is ultimate frisbee with a large colorful sponge ("dead fish"). Divide the group into evenly skilled teams, setting boundary and goal lines. Paddling with the sponge in your boat is not allowed—it is the equivalent of traveling in basketball. You can pass the sponge with your hands or paddle. This game can also be played with a lightweight beach ball or an empty milk jug with an airtight top. To add variety to any of these versions, put more than one sponge or ball into the game!

Give Me: A leader sits at the finish line about 100 feet away from the group, who divide into two or more teams. At the leader’s signal, a paddler from each team races toward her using the technique and equipment she designates. She may say, for example, "Give me someone paddling backwards wearing two helmets;" or may request two paddlers moving together without using paddles, or two paddlers using only one boat or any other silly variation. The first team across the finish line wins. The game can be spiced up by providing a box of props like silly hats, colorful costumes, or items to balance on the deck of the boat. Piano Keys: Line up all the boats in the water facing the same direction. Each person holds on to the boat next to him to keep the boats in line (paddles are left on shore). The paddler at one end climbs out of his boat and tries to walk from one end to the other and back on the lined-up boats without falling in. Of course, the boats are not a stable platform, so expect lots of kids to end up in the water. If older kids find this game too easy, have them try walking backwards or closing their eyes to increase the challenge.

Relay Races: This is better suited for older, more competitive kids. Divide into two teams and arrange all the gear on shore. Everyone starts off wearing only shorts, t-shirts, PFDs, footwear, and whatever warm clothing the conditions require. The gear on shore includes helmets, sprayskirts, paddles, and boats. The first team member races to put on her gear and paddles to a designated point and back. When she returns, she takes off the gear and tags the next team member, who does the same thing. Keep PFDs on throughout the game as a safety precaution. Simple relay races that don't involve putting on and taking off gear also work well. If your group is more advanced, try racing backwards or having them carry an item over and back from the shore. Try a big beach ball on your deck, paddle using only your hands or ping-pong paddles, or balance a frisbee on your helmet!

Scavenger Hunt: This game works in almost any location where a variety of natural treasures can be found. Divide into groups of 2-4 boats each and give each group a list (the lists can be the same or different). Objects to find can be as simple as a rock or a leaf, a clam shell, a gull feather or a bottle cap! With younger kids, you may want an adult to accompany each group. Older kids can go out on their own within predetermined boundaries. This game takes the focus off paddling skills and puts it on teamwork, getting places, and learning about nature. To add a nature studies component, have the kids identify the items in their collections at the end of the game and how they fit into the local environment.