They did have life vests and very large, buoyant noodles (foam inside covered with a plastic) that you can just pick up at the beach area. DD, 9 and a good swimmer, used the noodle on our 4th time around the river -- she was getting tired and they were very good for giving her a break in swimming. Regardless, the river does get to be 8 feet in places and there are a few waterfalls to go under (not too heavy but the littles ones I saw going through were freaking out from the water splashing on their heads and faces), so I would recommend your child have some swimming ability if you are going to take them through it.