Kids Bodyboard: all you really need to know to get started

Bodyboarding is a blast, especially for the young ones. They savor every moment in the water, climbing and riding waves until they’re completely exhausted.

Still, it doesn’t mean they can take out any bodyboard; the adult ones might cause them to lose control, scaring them off from bodyboarding completely. What you should do is research kids’ bodyboards until you’ve found the best ones for them.

So:
You could scour the internet for everything there is to find on the subject.

Or:
you could read our handy guide walking you through all the nuances of kids’ bodyboards.

In essence, bodyboards for kids are designed to be soft, lightweight and fun to use rather than stiff and cumbersome. Let’s look at the basics and then examine some of our top picks which we consider the best Bodyboard for Kids out there.

Kids Bodyboard: What is important to know?

The most important thing to look for is the size of the Bodyboard. All Bodyboards, also the one for Kids and young adults, do have height and weight specifications.

If the Bodyboard is too big, the Boy or Girl will have problems maneuvering the board because of the lack of wingspan. If the Board is too small, it will not float and glide properly on the wave.

The child’s weight and height are therefore the primary factors in determining if a bodyboard will suit it.

The rule of thumb is that a slightly bigger bodyboard is easier to use than a slightly smaller one; a child can still grow into a bigger bodyboard. But don’t go for a Bodyboard which is far beyond the recommended size.

But how tall does a Bodyboard for kids actually have to be?
How can I find at least a good ballpark figure for a Kids Bodyboard?

Look at the Size Chart below. With the help of this chart, it should be easy for you to make a good decision on the size, with which we understand the height and load capacity, of the Board.

Bodyboards Size Chart for Kids

Below you find the typical recommendations of Bodyboard size you should take depending on the height and size of your Kid.

How to read the Size Chart:
Start with the child’s height and go through the available bodyboards, looking for the weight range to match. If your search comes up short, you can start with weight and then find a suitable one for the height range.

As different supplier use different units, we included a size and weight chart in pounds / inches and one in kilogram / centimeters. However, they are essentially the same.

And do not forget: The above table shows ballpark figures, it is not crucial that you have a perfect match in both. As we said above, when in doubt go rather for a slightly bigger board.

Rider Weight (pounds)	Rider Height (inches)	Bodyboard Length (inches)
35 – 77	23 – 57	30 – 34
78 – 132	58 – 63	35 – 39
133 – 286	64 – 76	40 – 44
286+	77+	45+

Rider Weight (kg)	Rider Height (cm)	Bodyboard Length (cm)
15 – 35	60 – 144	76 – 86
35 – 60	145 – 160	87 – 99
60 – 130	161 – 190	100 – 111
130+	190+	111+

What else do I have to consider to start Bodyboarding with Kids?

Bodyboarding is easy to learn and extreme fun already in small waves, especially for the Kids. However, when you want to get started with them, you should consider the following:

• Bodyboard or Boogie Board: Which is better for kids?
• Bodyboard Materials: Which ones are there and does it matter?
• Bodyboard Contour: Which are the relevant features of the bodyboard shape?
• Additional Gear: What additional equipment do I need to provide a safe and fun adventure for the kids?

We will go through everything and explain what you should pay attention to.

Bodyboard versus Boogie Board: Which is the better solution for Kids?

The difference between a Bodyboard and a Boogie Board is essentially: None…

The most important difference is that the name Boogie Board is trademarked, as it is the first name given for a bodyboard by the inventor Tom Morey. Additionally, Boogie Boards are normally more entry – level boards, whereas under the term Bodyboard you can find everything from beginner to the pro level.
However, in this article we focus more on easy entry – level and fun boards for the little ones, providing you a perfect solution regarding the price – performance ratio.

So you definitely do not have to worry about. It just does not matter.

If you look for more performance oriented solutions, which are also feasible for very advanced kid bodyboarders, you should have a look at out buyer’s guide.

Bodyboard Materials

There are many different bodyboard materials, with plenty of high – tech composites providing decent comfort, speed, durability and control. However, no bodyboard can give you all four qualities, so you should decide on which one is a priority and specifically find a product that fulfills it.

Your options are:

• EPS (extruded polystyrene)
• PE (polyethylene)
• Arcel (70% EPS, 30% PE)
• PP (polypropylene)
• Wooden
• Vinyl aka Inflatable Bodyboards

In the following section we explain shortly what the differences of these Boards are and for what they are suited for.

EPS Bodyboards

EPS Board are the cheapest and the most disposable ones. In spirit, they come close to how the inventor of bodyboarding, Tom Morey, envisioned a bodyboard. Pure EPS Boards are a little flimsy and tend to get damaged when under stress.

However, they are cheap and can therefore be a good choice to find out if the kid is generally interested in bodyboarding. You just have to know that these Boards are made for calm waters and small waves and that you can’t expect them to be highly durable.

PE Bodyboards

These Board are made out of a thermoplastic that was one of the first mass – produced bodyboarding materials but was found harmful to the environment. Being both soft and tear – resistant, PE has one disadvantage: it becomes softer when used in warm / tropical waters and therewith more sensitive to damages. Today, you’re unlikely to find a 100% PE board; it’s most often used on outer bodyboard rails and in combination with other materials, such as PP.

Consequently, PE and combined PE Boards are definitely a very good choice with a super price – performance ratio when your Child is definitely interested in bodyboarding.

Arcel Bodyboards

Arcel is made by mixing EPS and PE in a 7:3 ratio. These boards are an in-between product that is only slightly more durable than EPS alone but isn’t as expensive as a proper bodyboard.

As we said before: Definitely a good and reasonable choice if you want to get your kid accustomed to slightly bigger waves.

PP Bodyboards

PP Bodyboars are lightweight and durable and the best choice for surfing in different water temperatures. The downside of PP bodyboards is that they are some of the more expensive ones.

Therefere: to get started and have some fun with children, you do not need to spend a big amount on a PP Board. But if your kid caught the Bodyboard – Virus and wants to get more advanced, you should have a look at them (e.g. the Morey Mach 10).

Wooden Bodyboards

These Boards are almost always custom-made. The wood is naturally supple, buoyant and eco-friendly, making it the perfect product for bodyboards. However, a wooden bodyboard is not a bunch of slats glued together but rather a plywood plank that’s bent and smoothened until it glides through the waves with ease.

But be aware: It’s for hardcore bodyboard riders only.

Vinyl aka. Inflatable Bodyboards

Inflatable Bodyboards are entry-level products designed for kids doing summer activities. They can in theory be used for bodyboarding in the open sea as well but their durability is horrible. They are prone to deflating for no apparent reason and a random wave can rip their handles right off. Parents sometimes use them for slip-and-slides to help kids get accustomed to staying on the bodyboard when going fast.

But: if you are looking for a cheap and cool toy for your holidays, inflatable Bodyboards can be a choice. Just don’t expect to use them for years…

Bodyboard Contour / Bodyboard Shape

A bodyboard is designed to glide through and over water, with the contour or shape determining how much control is retained along the way. The more streamlined its shape, the faster it goes, which lowers how much it can be controlled.Pay attention to the contour to figure out how much it fits your and the kid’s vision of what a bodyboard should feel and act like in the water.

If your child is just starting out, choose a wider board due to the better stability. Just check that the kid can grab it properly with his or her wingspan.

More information about important Bodyboard features

If you would like to learn more about important features of a Bodyboard and their effect when riding it, then you should shortly check out our complete overview and explanation of the most important Bodbyboard features. Therein we explain what you really should know about the shape, stringers, wide point, rocker line or the rail ratio of a Bodyboard.

Additional Gear needed for Kids

A bodyboard can be used without additional gear, but the experience is then quite barebones. The addons you should think about are:

• Safety Leash – is normally included
• Wetsuit or at least a Rashguard Shirt
• Life vest
• Wax
• Carry bag
• Fins

Safety Leash

A leash helps the rider find the board right away after wiping out. Some leashes attach to the wrist and others to the ankle, with a plug in the bodyboard keeping it secure. The leash should be attached to the rider’s dominant hand and the plug should accordingly be on the same side as the dominant hand. For ambidextrous or indecisive riders, the plug can also be placed in the middle of the bodyboard.

Budget leashes are not suitable for anything except training. They snap way too easily, especially in cold weather. Exceptionally long leashes aren’t suitable for long-term use either, since they can get coiled up or snag some debris from the water.

Find the best Safety Leashes with complete review and comparison here:

Wetsuit

A wetsuit is a must – have in cold water. Otherwise, the danger to get hypothermia, even in 100 °F weather is too big. It not only keeps the rider warm but also provides more comfort, reducing friction between the skin and the bodyboard. It should feel like a second skin and fit snugly to minimize distraction and drag, keeping the water out and the heat in.

Avoid going for budget wetsuits, since their zipper usually falls apart but the wetsuit material can also decay. If possible, rent out a couple wetsuits and try them on to see if there’s a sticking point. They should be easy to put on but also take off.

Tip: Even when Bodyboarding in warm waters where you do not need a wetsuit, we strongly recommend to wear in this case so – called UV -, Lycra – or Rashguard – Shirts which protect the skin from abrading.

Life Vest

Bodyboarding is pure fun for all ages.

But always remember the dangers of the ocean. Water has considerable weight and force and the ocean has a virtually endless supply of it.

So if your kid is not yet a very advanced swimmer, but already rides waves not only in the shallow water, life vests are in our opinion a must – have. Furthermore, you should always accompany a kid very closely.

Wax

Wax helps the rider grip to the bodyboard better, especially where the hips and the belly touch the bodyboard, and comes in four to five varieties:

• tropical: approximate temperature range 78° F and above
• warm: approximate temperature range from 68° to 78° F
• cool: approximate temperature range from 58° to 68° F
• cold: approximate temperature range from 48° to 58° F
• x – cold: approximate temperature range from 48° F and below

The difference is what water temperature they’re used in. They have a different melting point so that they’re just the right hardness in the water. There’s no way to know beforehand how a wax will behave in water; you have to use it and get a feeling for it.
We don’t go further in detail here, as especially for kids who just start out, it is definitely not needed to use wax. But if the child is already more advanced, you can check about the details here.

Carry Bag

A carry bag helps haul the bodyboard(s) around. It should feel comfy when full, with side pouches for carrying the wetsuit, the leash, wax and other doohickeys. A bodyboarder should be ready to hit the waves with what’s in the carry bag. Foam padding, a carrying handle and a mesh bottom for drainage are nice features too.

Fins

Fins can help make up for the lack of leg strength in children. But really, even adult bodyboarders should be equipped with fins. They give you more thrust and help you from exhausting yourself too quickly.

A complete overview over fins and reviews of the best fins for bodyboarding, including fins for kids, can be found here.

Best Bodyboards For Kids: Product Recommendations and reviews

Here’s a starting point for your bodyboard for kids research. These products are mostly dispensable and meant for calm waters. They provide the kid with the thrill of chasing waves without any dangers of wiping out that would come with adult or professional bodyboards.

Your search for cheap kids bodyboards doesn’t have to sacrifice quality.

This is a handpicked lineup of options that meet at the crossroads between affordability and functionality and meant for all those Kids who want to start having fun in the waves.

WOOWAVE Bodyboard

Sporting an EPS core, slick PE bottom and a coiled wrist leash, this Kids bodyboard has quality and durability in spades. The manufacturer offers a free replacement if the board gets damaged within a year of purchase. The only flaw of the Woowave Board is that the Core is rather soft. So pay attention to the weight limits, otherwise you could see bumps and the deck could start peeling off. However, definitely a really good choice with a very good price – performance ratio for a Bodyboard for Kids.

The Woowave V – Series comes in three sizes:

• 33 inches
• 36 inches
• 41 inches

Together with the given size chart, you can definitely make a good pick here.

Bo-Toys Lightweight Bodyboard

A light 33” Bodyboard for Kids up to approximately 10 years of age. For larger kids there is also the possibility to swith to the larger 41” version. You furthermore can choose between the colors blue, green, pink and red.

The board is a typical EPS Core board, so if you are using it heavily it will have some damages with time.

However, it is one of the EPS Boards providing better quality and durability.

It is not the cheapest Bodyboard out there, however, as said before, provides better quality than other EPS Boards.
And if there is something unsatisfying, Bo – Toys normally has a really nice, professional and responsive customer service.

Kai Bro Bodyboard

This 22-inch EPS Kids bodyboard has a specifically designed crescent tail that’s designed for rider performance and comfort and is especially well suited for the really little ones. Besides that we really like that the Kai Bro is coming in four different size, starting from the 22” up to a 42” version.

Proprietary Integrated Heat Lamination technology integrates all the segments of the bodyboard, giving it superb durability when exposed to waves and UV light.

The manufacturer has a 3-month warranty that does not cover broken or creasing boards but at least issues such as delamination.
According to the product description, a leash should be included, though customer reviews say it doesn’t, commenting that it doesn’t even have a leash plug.
In any case, you’d be well advised to buy your own and replace the one provided.
To install a leash plug, do this:

1. Choose the spot where you want to install the plug
2. Mark the spot
3. Heat the spot using a lighter
4. Gently push a screwdriver through the spot
5. Connect the two parts of the leash plug through the hole
6. Align and screw tightly

BZ Boogie Board

The BZ Boogie Board comes in two sizes:

• 36 inches for Riders up to 85lbs or 40 kg
• 42 inches for Riders up to 190lbs or 85 kg

The BZ Boogie Board has again an EPS core and a HDPE Slick Botton. Combined with the Crescent Tail it is designed and especially suitable for entry – level small Bodyboarders and Kids. The bottom has two channels, providing addtional stability and control when riding the waves.

The BZ Boogie Board is definitely one of the best choices for kids and entry-level boarders up to 5′ 2” of height and under 125 lbs weight.

Own the Wave Bodyboard

Featuring the industry – standard EPS core, this bodyboard comes in three differnt colors. Manufactured by Own the Wave, a family company from New Zealand, these Bodyboards provide decent quality to a fair price.
They can all be purchased in three sizes:

• 33 inches for Riders up to 65lbs or 30kg
• 37 inches for Riders up to 120lbs or 54kg
• 41 inches for Riders up to 188lbs or 85kg

The Slick Bottom is again made from HDPE with channels. The board comes with a leash and a already installed central leash plug. Nothing new to this point.

However, what we like most about this board is that it comes not only from a family business, but that you also receive an E-Guide which explains how to get started with bodyboarding.

Furthermore, the customer service and the 1 – year manufacturing guarantee is very convincing.

RADBUG Kids Inflatable Bodyboard

Inflatable Bodyboard normally have the problem that their durability is rather low. However, an advantage of the inflatables is for sure that they are the cheapest solutions to get the feet wet. The RADBUG inflatable Bodyboard provides a good compromise between price and quality.

It is especially designed for young children between 4 and 8 years old and a weight between 15 – 25kg, making it ideal for their first go on the waves.

This board is part of the Novice range of the product portfolio of RADBUG and is consequently designed for really small waves of up to 50cm. But even in such small waves you have to remember: kids of this age always have to be accompanied an adult.
The RADBUG inflatable Bodyboard is therefore a good choice if you just look for a relatively cheap body- or boogie board for the first short trips into the surf.

Final Thoughts about kids bodyboard

A kid that’s expressed interest in bodyboarding should be encouraged and supported to take up this amazing hobby. As a parent, you can help out by finding or suggesting the right bodyboard for the size. Don’t rush or force anything but take the child’s input seriously and make it a fun research project.

As you’ve noticed from the above selection of kid-friendly bodyboards, they’re most often inflatable or made out of EPS. And they all do not have stringers or a mesh layer. So do not expect highest quality and durability, but still a fair product quality for the amount of money they cost.

While their durability is not spectacular, they can provide enough of a thrill to let the kid figure out if bodyboarding is worth pursuing.

If so, you can start researching high quality boards made from PE or PP with stringers, mesh layers. On one hand, these boards are on a significantly higher level regarding performance, quality and durability, but on the other hand, they have a higher prize too. In our experience these boards are worth the prize when you now that the little ones are really interested in bodyboarding.

Nevertheless, the above mentioned Boogie Boards are the best starting point you and your child can find.

And if you would ask about our personal Top – Pick: for the Kids to start with bodyboarding, we prefer the BZ Boogie Board.

Find more useful Information about Bodyboarding

Here on coolwatersports.com you can find much more Information about Bodyboarding.

Do you want to know more about the different types of Bodyboards? Or how you prepare for your first Bodyboard Session?

No Problem – we’ve got you covered!