For summer family fun, take kids on a river tubing trip down a lazy river. Tubing is a water activity for kids of all ages and offers a river’s view eye on nature. While floating on a river tubing trip, kids and the whole family will experience a fun water activity powered by the forces of nature. River tubing outfitters around North America rent tubes and sometimes provide transportation to river tubing entry and exit points. A budget friendly family activity, tubing down a river provides parent child time in a relaxed setting. Many river routes are calm enough to take preschoolers and pets along!
River Tubing Costs
Tubing prices vary but in general, river tubing is a budget friendly activity for families. Costs range from $5.00 - $15.00 per tube depending on rental guidelines. Some outfitters rent tubes per day and others rent a tube for one float trip down the river, which may take a few hours. Each outfitter is unique so check each outfitter’s website for information for specific information on tube rental policies.
What to Wear While Tubing
- Clothes: Well you’re going to get wet so wear lightweight comfortable clothing such as swim suits, nylon shorts, t-shirts. Denim and other heavy fabric that chaffs when it gets wet are not recommended.
- Shoes: Shoes are required by some outfitters and only recommended by others. The best shoes for tubing are water shoes, water sandals and hiking sandals. Tubing calls for shoes that feel comfortable when they get wet and stay on the owner’s feet. Flip-flops and slide on shoes don’t stay on feet securely and are often seen floating down the river alone.
- Sun Protection: You’ll get more sun than you may predict while tubing down a river. Take proper sun gear including sunglasses, hats and sunscreen.
- Water Proof Camera (Optional): If you want to take photos while river tubing, a waterproof camera is best. Many river tube outfitters sell cameras but you’ll probably pay less if you purchase your camera at your local discount store in your area.
Where to Find River Tubing
Check out a river tubing website and search the internet for river tubing outfitters near you.
Float down the Chattahoochee River in Helen, Georgia, the Delaware River in Frenchtown, New Jersey or the Salt River near Phoenix, AZ with local rive tubing outfitters. These are just a few of the many choices of river tubing across North America.
Safety While River Tubing
For your family's safety, stay on the river sections designated by the tubing outfitter. Many outfitters have specific points to enter and exit the river. Follow the outfitter's guidelines as well as follow any posted signs on the river about safety or river entry.
Taking Pets Along While River Tubing
Check with individual tubing outfitters to find out if the outfitter allows or recommends pets along on a river tubing ride. Many pets will enjoy a wet experience with the family while other pets would be miserable.
River tubing offers a back to nature activity that's fun for the whole family and budget friendly for an afternoon or all day float trip.
Kelly Pfeiffer - Kelly Pfeiffer teaches Positive Discipline workshops to parents and trains child care providers on various child development topics.
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