Rafting Yosemite with little kids

Water volume increases with snowmelt, which is late March and April it starts...

Not sure but that could take it from a Class II to a Class V in a few days...

How deep and wide is your US trip, Tom?

There are many rivers across the US - in fact in California alone - where rafting would be outstanding. As I say - when you're in Yosemite NP, I would reserve that limited time for what YNP offers out of the water. It's very good.

Among other things, children under age 13 are required to wear a flotation device. For small children, it is very important that the safety device be personally fitted, to be sure it will keep the child’s head above water. Rafting outfitters probably don’t want to have to deal with this.

In addition, the Merced is snowmelt and can be very cold. Small children can d3vrlop hypothermia pretty quickly. It can also be fast running in places; those photos are of some of the most placid spots. Water will be high this year due to all the snow. There are some beachy areas for wading and swimming.

There are bike rentals. There are special kids programs, including Junior Rangers and art activities.

We are spending 5 nights in Yosemite so I was keen for some activities that didn't involve hiking everyday, esp. for my youngest.

Yes - I agree that's a pretty long time just for hiking and sightseeing - for children. Good luck with it - and as nutrax advises, there might be junior programs that will engage the kids well enough.

Where are you staying?

I'm not intimately familiar with all the various stretches of river around Yosemite, but I know the Sierra and I know a thing or two about how commercial rafting works. When seasonal rivers like the Merced are running high enough to float a raft, they're also running cold, and that's almost certainly the risk driver for the weight restriction. In any case, arguing the reasonableness of any given rule or age/weight restriction will get you exactly nowhere. The rules may or may not even come from the outfitter themselves- they may be park service rules, or conditions of their insurance coverage.

generally, the other rivers right around Yosemite are steep mountain rivers with tough rapids and generally not suitable for little kids. if you look just a bit further afield, you'll find some options. For example, on the American River near Sacramento:
https://whitewatertours.com/lower-middle-fork-american-river/

This has been a very big snow year in the Sierra and rivers may still be in runoff in late June. Even trips generally suitable for young kids may become hazardous at high water, and outfitters may cancel or modify trips accordingly.

It's likely an operator licensing safety rule. I see minimum weights and ages can increase in relation to water depth/flow. I've no idea how old this article is but the author states:

At Half Dome Village, rent a raft and float down the smooth-flowing Merced River.....Although this is a gentle river, you will be asked to wear life jackets, and kids must weigh at least 50 lbs. (yes, they weigh them if there's any doubt.) Last time we rode the river, we overheard a mother say, "Together my kids weigh 100 lbs.," to which the rental guy replied, "And can they wear one life jacket?"

https://travelforkids.com/Funtodo/California/Yosemite/yosemitevalley.htm

So there ya go. There are some other suggestions that might be helpful, although it looks like your youngest doesn't meet the age requirement for horseback.

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