A few beginner tips about whitewater rafting....

1. Rapids are classified by roman numerals indicating how gentle or rough they are. Most guided family trips in the region focus on rapids that are class III or under, and reserve trips on class IV rapids for groups with older kids or teens.
Class I: Moving water with gentle or no waves 
Class II: Easy rapids with gentle waves and mostly straight, clear channels
Class III: Rapids with high, irregular waves, with some narrow passages
Class IV: Long, rough rapids with areas that are difficult to maneuver through
Class V: Very long, obstructed or violent rapids reserved for expert paddlers

2. Be sure to call ahead and read each company's website closely to make sure your child is eligible for a trip. Most outfitters have age minimums for rafting outings.

3. Outfit the kids in the right gear. Most companies offer safety equipment as part of their packages, but water shoes or water sandals are ideal for navigating rocky terrain in and out of the river. And pack layers—New England rivers are super-chilly, even in the summertime.

Kids as young as 5 can take a Zoar "float trip."

Zoar Outdoor
Operates trips on: Deerfield River, MA; Concord River, MA; Miller River, MA; West River, VT
Named after the Zoar Gap, probably the most popular stretch of whitewater in the state, Zoar Outdoors has been running summer rafting trips out of the Deerfield River since 1989. Because they know that it's not just older kids who enjoy a fun journey, they offer "float trips" on gentle parts of the river for kids as young as 5. It's a mellow ride, complete with splashing, swimming if desired, and a picnic lunch. Once your kids are 7, you can take them on one of their popular "Zoar Gap Rafting" trips, a 10-mile, full-day trip with class II rapids and a taste of one class III rapid, as well as a picnic lunch. They also run springtime-only rafting trips on the Concord River (in nearby Lowell) and Miller River (in Royalston, MA), and on the West River, near Stratton Mountain, in the spring and fall.
Costs: Float trip is $63 per adult and $47 per kid; Zoar Gap Rafting is $69-100 per adult and $59-79 per kid. Spring and fall rafting trips range from $59-99. Price includes safety equipment and lunch.

Crabapple offers a taste of Class IV whitewater to kids ages 8 and up.

Crabapple Whitewater
Operates trips on: Deerfield River, MA; Miller River, MA; West River, VT 
A longtime family-owned and operated river rafting company, Crabapple runs outings that range from leisurely half-day trips to all-day, rollicking adventures best suited for older kids and teens. The half-day option, for kids ages 5 and up, go through class I and II rapids, and includes a riverside snack and a barbecue at the end. Children 8 and up are eligible to join full-day trips on class II and IV whitewater that feature a picnic lunch. Guides, typically family members who grew up on the river and learning the business, share knowledge about local history and wildlife during tours. In the spring, Crabapple also operates trips out of the Miller River near Royalson, and in the spring and fall will guide tours of Vermont's West River. Price includes safety equipment and a meal.
Costs: Float trip is $63 per adult and $47 per kid; Zoar Gap Rafting is $69-100 per adult and $59-79 per kid. Spring and fall rafting trips range from $59-99. Price includes safety equipment and lunch.

Knowledgeable Berkshire Whitewater guides explain the ins and outs of the Deerfield River.

Berkshire Whitewater
Operates trips on: Deerfield River, MA; West River, VT 
Berkshire Whitewater boasts brand-new, fully adjustable equipment as part of its package of trips, run mainly on the Deerfield River. They offer a half-day "family float trip" on gentle Class I rapids and some swift moving water for families with children starting at age 5, and a day-trip through class II and III rapids for kids as young as 7. Half-day trips include snacks and drinks, and full-day trips feature your choice of a barbecue lunch or picnic-style deli lunch. Guides point out flora and fauna and historical sites, and discuss the environmental impact of river usage, during trips.
Costs: Range from $45 to $119 depending on guests' trip choice, age, and the time of year. Price includes safety equipment and lunch.

Clarke Outdoors
Operates trips on: Housatonic River, CT
Tube floating is big on the Housatonic, but Clarke's, an outfitter's store in West Cornwall, CT, runs family-friendly rafting outings on 10-mile or 6-mile stretches of the river. While the real whitewater on the Housatonic happens in the spring, there's enough moving water to make a rafting trip in the spring or early fall feel like a real adventure, too. And because the rapids are gentle or non-existent this time of year, families can either rent boats themselves or hire a guide. Either way, passengers meet in the comfort of Clarke's store to get a van ride to the river, and after stopping by the picnic area at the end of the journey, get driven back to Clarke's where there are hot showers to warm up.
Costs: Rental rates are $25-30 per adult and $20-25 per kid. You can reserve a guide for an additional flat rate of $95 on weekdays and $150 on the weekends. Price includes shuttle service and lifevest.

Top photo: A family enjoys some thrills courtest of Zoar Outdoors. Photos courtesy of the tours