How young? Or how old I guess?

My twin girls turned 1 today.  The big question is how long should wait to order two tandems and take them out? 

  Honestly, If they can swim (really survival swim) Go for it!!!! My 1 yr old grand son LOVES IT!!!! Hates the life jacket though Fresh water till you feel confident you could keep them safe if all goes wrong... Remember they are tough and love adventure, our job is keeping them safe/alive till they can make safe choices for themselves (some never do ) Get them out early, and they won't settle for the couch later Having fun with your kids is the best gift you can ever give them

Each of my boys took their first kayak trip with me before a year old, until they get to be around 4 they're small enough to just sit on my lap.  We picked up a tandem last year, my 5 year old loves having his own paddle.

My 4, almost 5, year old will be going out with me this year for our first kayak trip.  Would have been sooner but my overprotective wife has nixed all previous attempts.

And remember, you can always take them fishing from shore.  We went panfish hunting Sunday at a mudhole known as Vasona Lake only to be told later by my brother-in-law, who orchestrated the event, that they may not exist there.  My daughter had a blast playing with sticks, holding worms, and reeling in her pole.  Just getting them out is the important thing and lots of lessons to be taught.

I would say they are fine as long as you are smart about it.
You don't want them falling into frigid water.
Have them sit in your lap one at a time first (provided you aren't pedaling your kayak). It will make them much more comfortable having dad right there. It will also give you the opportunity to see if they are ready for it or not.
Proper floatation is a must and make sure they won't slip out of it.
I had my son in a car seat in a float tube when he was about one year old and I towed him around with me while I was in my float tube. He became extremely comfortable in the water. He was with me, on the ocean, in a tandem by the time he was 7; kicking back while I dove for abs. His first time snorkeling with me while I dove was also when he was 7. Believe me, they make a lot more stuff geared towards the little ones now than they did back then.
Start them out early. They will grow to love it.

My twin girls turned 1 today.  The big question is how long should wait to order two tandems and take them out?

My older boy was about 9 months when he took a real short trip in knee deep water in my kayak. By the time he hit a year old, He'd been out dozens of times.

His younger brother has been getting the short end of the stick, starting at about one and a half. But now that the older boy is 5 and in his own (mostly towed by dad) boat, the younger boy's been getting out pretty regularly. He turned three about a month ago.

Kids seem to just barely tolerate PFDs. Once your girls get a little older, invest in the neoprene covered models that are a bit friendlier feeling. Something like:http://www.sierratradingpost.com/body-glove-ranger-neoprene-pfd-life-jacket-for-kids-and-youth~p~96952/ The sad thing is, is that I've only seen them rated for kids as small as 30 lbs. Not nearly small enough for one year old girls.

All this has been in freshwater, mostly warm to warmish. Though the older boy and I got a demonstration in why 16' long touring SOTs are not the moving water boat of choice. The water was in the 50's but he was in his wetsuit at the time, so we both came up laughing.

Scott

Thanks for all the input.  Swimming lesson will probably happen this summer.  As soon as they can reliably walk,  we will shore fish with PFD.  The wife has agreed that kayaking in general will be a great family activity and of course I agree.  I can't wait to buy them pink matching Venus kayaks.   Thanks guys!

I started both my boys at around one.  I would sit them in the front compartment of my old Mallotte dive board (with good life vests), if anyone remembers what those are.  Now they're 25 and 18, and both kayakers among other things.  My younger one got SCUBA certified for his high school senior project.  Get them started early associating fun with the outdoors.