River Baby: Our 18-Month-Old’s First Rafting Trip Overnight

By Julie Bacon

As two parents with a major love for river trips, we were beyond stoked to get Raelyn, our 18-month-old, out on her first rafting overnighter. Rae loves the water, so we were excited to see what she would think of sleeping riverside and being on the boat all day. We chose a one-night trip to keep it mellow, on a super gentle stretch of the East Fork of the Carson River — about two hours of rowing per day, total.

Before we dive in, a few caveats:

1. My husband Alex is a Class V kayaker and has rowed the Grand Canyon. I’ve spent years on the water too — we’re both experienced river people who know how to assess risk and manage river travel with care.
2. We had both done this stretch of river several times before and knew it well.
3. We timed the trip around a perfect weather window — warm days, low flows — so Rae could enjoy herself without us worrying about cold or discomfort.

In classic parent math, we figured out the best time to launch would be right after lunch — let Rae nap in the car on the way, and time it so we’d hit the takeout around 3 p.m. as she was waking up. That gave us plenty of time to rig the boat, float a mellow stretch, and get to camp by early evening. We pulled in around 6, just in time to cook dinner and set up before Rae needed to go down at 8.

While we rigged the boat, Rae snacked and entertained herself with rocks by the river. Alex did a lot of the packing while I kept an eye on her. On the water, she sat next to me on a Paco Pad strapped to the cooler, wearing her PFD and sun hat (shockingly, she kept the hat on the whole time). Our dog, Kota, posted up in the bow, watching the banks float by. Rae was immediately into it — ducks gliding along the eddies, birds chirping overhead. But we quickly learned that she was not a fan of getting splashed. So Alex, rowing from the back, had to carefully steer around any riffles — and sometimes even row backward — to keep her dry.

About halfway through the two-hour stretch, we stopped for a big break and let Rae roam around with another snack in hand. Then we pushed on to camp.

As soon as we hit shore, we got food going. Mac and cheese was top priority for Rae (honestly, for us too). Turns out, the secret to a happy toddler — at least for us — is a combo of food and fresh air. Rae was so pumped to explore camp and “help” us (a.k.a. picking up various items and putting them somewhere mysterious). Because rafts let you go full glamp-mode, we brought her Pack ’n Play and a separate 3-person tent for her to sleep in. I know, luxury. Alex and I cowboy camped on our Paco Pads under the stars.

Besides forgetting her stuffed animal, Bob, and butter for our own meal (turns out Stella works great in a pinch for sautéing zucchini), the setup was ideal. Rae slept through the night next to us, the river doubling as her white noise machine, toasty warm in her sleeping bag.

She woke up with the sun at 6:30 a.m., and we handed her a banana while she sat proudly in her camp chair, eating beside our heads as we stayed cozy in our sleeping bags.

After breakfast, we packed up and pushed off for the second half of the river trip. Rae was great on the boat again, moving around, standing up to dance when we played music. We stopped for an early lunch and let her run around by the river. On the final stretch, she curled up in my lap and fell asleep — totally blissed out by the sunshine and the sounds of nature. My arms and back were cramping up, but I couldn't have cared less.

Luckily, Rae stayed asleep as we transferred her to the truck to finish her nap while we de-rigged and loaded the raft. I swear she was riding a high from the trip — babbling to herself with joy the entire way home.

Alex and I couldn’t stop smiling. This felt like exactly what we had imagined parenthood could be — showing our daughter one of our favorite ways to be in the world. It's a big part of what The Mothership Collective is all about.

Big Takeaways

• Stick to Class II or lower. At this age, we wouldn’t take Rae on anything more intense — mellow water kept the stakes low and the vibes high for everyone.
• Don’t forget the comfort item. Bringing her favorite stuffed animal helped make the new sleeping setup feel familiar and cozy.
• Dress for splash and sun. A swim diaper, full-coverage bathing suit or quick-dry sun shirt, and quick-dry shoes were key to keeping Rae comfy and protected.
• Pack a well-stocked dry bag. Keep essentials within reach: water, snacks, a diaper, wipes, sunscreen, and anything else your little river buddy might need to stay happy and entertained.
• Shade is next on the gear list. Rae rocked her big sun hat like a champ, but we’ll be investing in a boat umbrella next — a little extra shade would’ve been clutch on those long sunny stretches.

The experiences shared here are personal, not medical advice. Every body and every baby is different. Please consult your pediatrician or care provider before attempting similar activities. We encourage you to listen to your instincts and do what feels right for your family.