Kayaking Games and Activities

When proceeding with any game be sure the activity is age and skill appropriate, and safety is considered first.

If you have a game or activity, you think should be included on this list, get in touch with the Paddle Canada head office for consideration.

Simon Says

The object of the game is to remain in the “lead group” or to be the last in the group. The leader calls out: “Simon Says touch your toes. Simon Says touch your eyes. Simon Says touch your knees. Touch your arm.” Those who touch their arms must start a new group, #2, and continue with the game. Additional groups can be broken off from group #2. When the lead group has dropped to about half then you can continue with another game. Keep all members of the group active.

Pin the Name on the Kayak

The first participant picks a card with the kayak part printed on it. After they see what the part is, they are blindfolded and guided to the kayak by their teammates. The participant tries to find, then place (or stick) the card on the appropriate part of the kayak by feeling with their hands. Players take turns being blindfolded and labelling parts. The game is over when the entire kayak has been properly labelled.

The Half-paddle Race

The same as any paddling race except racers must only use half a kayak paddle. A variation of this activity is to use the full kayak paddle, but racers are only allowed to paddle on one side of the kayak. Suggested course length is 25 to 50 metres.

Hand Paddle Relay Race

Divide the class into two teams. One at a time each participant will move the kayak by just using your hands, out and around a buoy and back. Suggested course length is 25 metres.

Candy Race

The instructor places a bag or bags of candy on a raft in the centre of the waterfront area and has the group race from shore to receive their prize. Extra points for splashing the participant beside.

Barrel Bonk

Place two or three floating containers in the play area. Paddlers get one point for touching a buoy with the bow of their kayak and two points for touching a buoy with the stern. Participants lose three points if they touch another kayak. Participants cannot gain points by touching the same buoy twice in a row.

Kayak Polo

Kayaks arrange themselves into two teams. Set up a boundary with one buoy at either end. Each team passes the ball among themselves and paddles their kayak using only their hands while trying to score by hitting their buoy (net) with the ball. Games of kayak soccer, hockey or baseball are alternatives.

Shapes

In groups of three kayaks or more, the group must form a triangle, square, etc. All bows and sterns should be touching. Try to expand the shape outwards, moving evenly, and then inwards to return to the original position. This activity can help to practice draws and sculling and general boat handling.

Ping Pong

Scatter several ping pong balls over the water. Participants paddle about trying to collect as many balls as possible. To make the game more challenging, put different point values on the balls and each participant tries to collect as many points as possible.

Crows and Cranes

Kayaks line upside by side. Half the kayaks are “crows” and the other half are “cranes”. When the leader calls either “crows” or “cranes”, that group displaces their kayaks sideways (using draws or sculling draws) to try and catch the other group that are trying to get away from them, also using sideward displacement. The leader can call the other group’s name at any time to reverse direction.

Enter/Exit Challenge

An empty plastic bowl/container is filled with water and placed on the front deck of the kayak. Participants are challenged to enter or exit without tipping the container or spilling any water.

Add-on

Start the game by showing one move. Each person must perform the move correctly. Each person takes a turn at adding a move to the previous move until a sequence or short routine has developed. As each new move is added, all participants must successfully complete the routine in proper order. Errors of any kind result in elimination from the game. The game continues until one person is left who can do the entire sequence.

Shoal Sardines

The goal is to get the entire group onto a small rock or wave washed islet with their kayak and then establish a bivvy with tea and snacks and shelter. Emphasis would be on speed, safety or possibly tie it into a short first aid issue of some type.

Cowboys, Cows and Calf

This game works well. Divide the group in two. Half are the cowboys and half are the cows. The cows pick one person to be designated as the calf that the cows are trying to protect. Establish a clear perimeter and cowboys must get to the calf. If they get touched by a cow, they must back off and try again.

Stand Up Kayaking

Standing up is all the rage now. Just make sure the group is spread out and near shore so they can quickly empty their kayak when they fall in. This is a great ice breaker before working on re-entry skills.

Cockpit Basketball

The goal is to throw the sponge or ball and get it in another kayak’s cockpit. You can only defend your cockpit by your hands or paddle.

British Bulldog

Just like at summer camp but you don’t have to tackle them, just touch their kayak with your paddle.

Sink the Swiss Navy (aka Cleopatra’s Needle)

An old camp favourite with a twist. Take an extra kayak with an open bow hatch and cockpit and sink it with pumps. Work through strategy to get it floating again. This also works well in teams of 3 or 4.