What are the best swimming aids for different ages?

No matter your child's age, you want them to feel comfortable and confident in the water. While our swimming aids are not designed to be life-saving devices and must be worn with adult supervision at all times, they are designed to hold your child in the correct position for optimal swimming performance. 

Our swimming aids slightly tilt your child forward, helping them raise those feet off the bottom of the pool so they’re more likely to start kicking them. Of course, your child's support needs change with age, and what worked for them when they took their first dip may not be suitable as their confidence grows. 

Sleeved Floatsuit Sea Life

Let’s dive into what’s available for your little one throughout their childhood - 

The Baby Swim Seat: 0-1 Years

Nothing beats our Baby Swim Seat for those precious first moments in the pool. This clever little invention is perfect for tiny tots who are just getting used to being in water but still want to feel secure and supported.

The beauty of the swim seat lies in its thoughtful design. With three air chambers for extra safety, plus a secure seat position with an inflatable backrest, your baby gets all the support they need while still having plenty of space to move their little legs about. 

It's brilliant for letting them experience that wonderful feeling of being in water while staying close to you, the ideal stepping stone from bath time to pool time. What makes this particularly special is that it gives babies the chance to start learning those all-important leg movements and kicks whilst feeling completely secure. Always remember, adult supervision is essential when using any swimming aids.

Sleeved Floatsuits: 1-3 years

As your little one grows and becomes more adventurous, our Sleeved Floatsuits are absolutely fantastic, especially for toddlers aged 1-3 who are ready for a bit more independence in the water.

With sixteen adjustable floats positioned perfectly around the body, they hold your child in just the right swimming position: slightly tipped forward with shoulders under water. It's genius, really, because your child is learning proper swimming posture.

What's particularly brilliant about these floatsuits is how they grow with your child's confidence. As they become more comfortable and skilled in the water, you can gradually remove floats in pairs until they're swimming independently. It's like having a personalised swimming programme built into their costume.

The sleeved design is perfect for those chillier pools or sunny outdoor swimming sessions, offering UV protection for delicate skin. Plus, they're fully compatible with our Happy Nappy™ Swim Nappies, so you've got complete peace of mind on all fronts.

Available in sizes 1-2, 2-4, and 4-6 years, these suits are made from quick-drying materials that are comfortable in and out of the water, making them perfect for those long holiday pool days!

Remember, sun cream should still be applied to exposed areas like lower arms and legs. 

Go Splash Float Jackets: 3-6 years

For children who want a bit more freedom to choose their swimming costume, our Go Splash Float Jackets are absolutely perfect! Available in sizes 1-3 and 3-6 years, they're particularly ideal for children aged 3-6 who have developed better muscle control and coordination.

These jackets work on the same brilliant principle as floatsuits, but they give your child the flexibility to wear whatever swimming costume they fancy underneath. Eight strategically positioned floats around the torso provide excellent support while encouraging natural swimming movements.

The beauty of the float jacket system is in its gradual approach to building confidence. You remove floats in pairs; one from the front and its corresponding partner from the back. This maintains perfect balance whilst gradually reducing support. 

Children love the freedom these jackets provide, and parents love the peace of mind. They encourage proper arm movement and body positioning, which are absolutely essential for developing good swimming technique. 

Go Splash Swim Vests: It’s Holiday Time!

Now, if you're planning a family holiday and need something that won't take up too much room in your suitcase, the Go Splash Swim Vest is your absolute saviour! These lightweight champions pack completely flat and weigh next to nothing. Every parent's dream for holiday packing.

Don't let their compact design fool you, though. These vests offer the same support as traditional float jackets, holding your child in that perfect learning position. The difference is that the floats aren't removable, making them ideal for holidays where you want reliable, consistent support without fussing about with adjustments.

They're designed to gently tip children's shoulders forward towards the water, encouraging proper swimming posture from the get-go. For first-time wearers, we always recommend holding your child's hands initially to help them get used to balancing in this position.

Kickboards and Swimming Accessories: 6+ years

Once your little swimmer has gained confidence and is starting to develop their technique, it's time to introduce some skills-building accessories. Our Kickboards are absolutely fantastic for this next stage of development.

Junior Kickboard

Available in fun designs like our adventurous Shark Board or cheerful Pufferfish kickboard. The Pufferfish kickboard is our smallest float, specially designed for our younger swimmers who are ready to start working on their technique.

Kickboards are brilliant because they help children focus specifically on their leg strength and kicking technique. By holding onto the board, they can concentrate on perfecting their leg movements without worrying about staying afloat. Some of our boards even feature grip holes to accommodate various swimming positions during training.

For children who are becoming really confident, you might also consider Swimming Noodles for more playful water activities, or even simple Armbands and Back Floats for different types of support and fun.

Important Safety Reminders

While we absolutely love discussing the fun and learning that come with our swimming aids, we can't stress enough the importance of safety. Here are the key things to always remember:

• Adult supervision is required at all times.

• Swimming aids cannot be used in the sea. 

• Swimming aids are not life-saving devices. 

• If something is advertised as UV, suncream should still be applied to exposed skin. 

Every child's swimming journey is unique, and what works brilliantly for one child might not be quite right for another. The key is starting with the right level of support and gradually building confidence from there.

Whether you're just starting with a baby swim seat for those precious first pool experiences, choosing a sleeved floatsuit for comprehensive support and sun protection, opting for the flexibility of a float jacket, or looking for a travel-friendly swim vest for holidays, we've got something perfect for every stage of your child's swimming adventure.

The most important thing is making sure your little one feels safe, secure, and excited about being in the water. With the right swimming aid and plenty of encouragement, you'll be amazed at how quickly they progress from tentative splashing to confident swimming.