Swimming can be a little scary for kids, even when your little one is generally fearless. Having a sturdy vest or pair of floaties is important when you’re encouraging your little one to float in a deeper pool. Not only will floaties make you as a parent feel more at ease, it’ll give your child the freedom to explore and play in the water. Parents want their kids to feel confident when they try to do their first butterfly stroke or attempt a doggie paddle. Parents don’t want them to feel scared, because they don’t feel safe in their floaties. That’s why we rounded up the best floaties for kids.
We found two vest options and one back floatie option. The vest options go around your child’s chest and have two floaties around their arms or shoulders and a buckle around the back. That means your toddler or young child can’t unbuckle their own vest in the water, so parents can breathe a sigh of relief. Our last option is perfect for a child who is learning how to swim. The adjustable back float has four foam layers. The layers can be removed as your child becomes a more confident swimmer. Check out our picks below to see which one is right for you.
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1. Speedo Kids’ Begin to Swim Vinyl Basic Arm Bands
These floaties were specifically designed for your kid’s swimming mobility in mind. The inflatable floaties are made out of heavy-duty vinyl, which will support kids that weigh up to 110 lbs. The floaties have dual chambers, so the entire armband won’t deflate if there’s a leak. They come in four different patterns and colors, so you’re sure to find something that your little one will love.
2. Body Glove Dinosaur Swim Life Jacket
This cute vest from Body Glove is designed to help your child learn how to swim. Unlike most floaties, the flotation devices aren’t only around your child’s arms, they encircle your child’s chest. The vest clips securely in the back with an adjustable strap, which means that your child can’t remove the vest without your assistance. It’s meant for children who weigh from 30 to 50 lbs. You can choose from 14 fun floatie designs.
3. Stearns Original Puddle Jumper
Made out of nylon, these long-lasting Stearns vests go around your child’s chest, and their arms are supported by two large floaties that are made of nylon and polyester. The fabric is more gentle, so the vest and floaties won’t cause chafing. The vest has an adjustable buckle in the back, which parents can tighten for a good, safe fit. There are more than 20 colorful, aquatic styles to browse through.
4. TOYSHARING Back Float Safety
If your child is trying to master the doggie paddle or butterfly stroke, you should check out this back safety float. Instead of having your child grab onto a float to kick, their arms will be free to practice swimming techniques. The floatie includes durable layers of foam. This floatation device is also adjustable. You can remove one, two or three of the four layers as your child becomes a more confident swimmer. Parents should keep in mind that the buckle fastens around the child’s chest, so they are able to undo the buckle themselves.
5. HeySplash Inflatable Armbands
Made for kids ages 3 to 6, these adorable floaties with dual chambers are perfect for brand new swimmers. The inflatable floaties allow your child to show off their personality while they’re playing around in the water. Floaties aren’t the most fun safety object to put on, so these fun designs might inspire your kids to get excited about safety.
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