School’s out for the summer, and the heat is on for parents looking for ways to entertain their little ones that don't involve being parked in front of a screen all day.
Though it can be challenging to balance WFH with entertaining kids on their summer holidays, come the weekend, there’s one place that rarely lets you down - the seaside.
You’re never too far from the coast on this island of ours, and a beach trip won’t cost much, especially if you take your own snacks, towels and games - like a bodyboard.
What is a bodyboard?
A forerunner to a surfboard, a bodyboard, or boogie board, allows beginners to enjoy a taste of the sport on baby-sized waves.
They’re usually made of foam or another lightweight material and often come with fins on the underside to make manoeuvring through the water more manageable. Some also have handles or straps to attach around an arm or leg to stop them from floating off in the current.
How do you use a bodyboard?
Riders catch waves in the prone position - that is, lying down - so there’s not a whole lot of skill to finesse first nor effort to get going. Just undiluted seaside fun.
Wade into the water until you’re at thigh-level, then push yourself onto the board, centring your chest in the middle and using your arms and legs, which should be dangling in the water, to paddle and propel yourself forward. Turn towards the shore when a wave approaches, and use that to glide back towards the sand.
Pint-sized bodyboards
Bodyboards come in all sizes for adults, but there are plenty designed for children, too. Decked in fun colours, patterns and motifs, it won’t take much persuading to get your little ones into the idea - provided they can swim.
While all kids require supervision in the water, having some swimming ability means they can paddle to waves by themselves and can tread water if they slip off until you can get to them.
If you’re looking for a way to boost the lure of a beach day, we’ve found the best bodyboards to pick up below.
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Contour Surf DuoSlider 45'' Body Board Bodyboard
If you’re trying to coax your little ones into the sea, there’s no better way than showing them how to get on board in a one-to-one session. This large bodyboard is made for parent-child lessons, with multiple handles and two leashes to help kids stay steady on the board, while mum or dad paddles alongside them, searching for the next (small) wave.
The idea is to help kids dip a toe into bodyboarding, eventually leading them to catch waves independently. It’s a good board for a family who are all into bodyboarding, as the large size will suit a range of weights and heights.
Buy now £99.99, Amazon
Osprey Lightweight Deck Bodyboard with Leash
Bold and bright, there’s no losing this bodyboard on a crowded beach. The lightweight design comes in a range of sizes and other, similarly vivid colours are available too, should you wish to test the strength of your retinas. An adjustable wrist leash offers extra safety while the curved shape helps with control in the water.
Buy now £32.99, Amazon
iBoard 33 Inch Lightweight Bodyboard with EPS Cover
With a pattern so playful you may want to keep it on show even when a beach trip isn’t on the cards, this iBoard is made for summer fun. Available in pink and green, it’s made from high-quality materials that will withstand a wave pummeling. It’s also slightly tilted at the top, helping users keep their head elevated to search for the next wave.
Buy now £33.99, Amazon
Sunnylife Kids Kickboard, Cookie The Croc Light Khaki
Designed for children aged 3 - 8 years old, this cute cartoon croc is on call to help your little ones build confidence in the water. It’s super lightweight at just 0.19kg, and made from high-density EVA foam that offers excellent buoyancy but won’t weigh your beach bag down.
Buy now £25.95, Amazon
Saltrock Tiles 37 inch bodyboard in pink
A fun, bright pattern makes this Saltrock bodyboard appealing for older kids and teens. It’s made for users who have had some bodyboarding experience already, with a bottom deck finished with a hydrodynamic surface to go faster while the top sports a smooth finish for a more comfortable ride.
Buy now £17.50, Saltrock
Mountain Warehouse Beach Body Board
Available in three colour palettes, this Mountain Warehouse boogie board will help your kids rule the waves. The bold design comes with a leash to wrap around your wrist, meaning it won’t go AWOL should you slip off. It’s lightweight enough for kids to carry themselves from the car too, meaning one less job for you.
Buy now £12.99, Mountain Warehouse
OLAIAN Kids' Bodyboard Blue and Yellow - 100 Series
Perfect for beginners, this simple bodyboard comes with fins that are suitable for use in waves that are less than a metre high. It comes with a wrist leash to keep the board close in the water, and while the smooth surface offers a comfortable ride - some wax applied before you go in will help it run even faster.
Buy now £19.99, Decathlon
RADBUG 100 kids’ wood skimboard
When you’re ready to upgrade, a skimboard allows you to do more tricks and turns in the water than a bodyboard. Radbug’s design is a slick proposition, made from varnished wood to help you glide across the water. It can be used by all levels, from beginner to expert, meaning your water baby will find new ways to enjoy it as their confidence grows.
Buy now £24.99, Decathlon
