Swimming is a life skill that everyone should know.
Not just from a fitness standpoint (just half an hour can burn up 250 calories, on average) but for safety too. It could save your life.
Most people learn when they’re small: cue hazy memories of collecting rubber bricks from the bottom of school swimming pools. While an instructor can help explain and finesse the finer points of front crawl, backstroke and butterfly, there’s nothing stopping you from giving your kids a head start. Teaching your kids to swim is a fun family activity that doesn’t involve a screen, and will come in handy when you’re on holiday and want to splash about together.
Philip Gasson has taught hundreds of kids to swim through his company Active Travel Camp, which offers a roster of water-based adventures for children - think kayaking and navigating rapids. He says: "Water confidence comes from play, from mum and dad catching kids as they splash around in the water. They may look like silly games from afar, but they’re about overcoming fear of water, getting them comfortable with being wet and being immersed in the water."
He bought his first daughter a custom-made wetsuit when she was born, which later graduated into a buoyancy aid with straps around the legs. "A life vest could just slip off," he warns, "but something with crotch straps keeps them afloat with their heads out of the water."
For very small children, Gasson recommends a personal flotation device with adjustable straps to ensure a perfect, tight fit.
From four years old, kids should be able to swim independently, though of course, always with adult supervision. The best way to keep them engaged, especially at the start, is with fun, colourful toys like floats and aids such as armbands.
There are plenty of swimming aids available to help you teach your ducklings to swim. We’ve gathered the best of them to make them easy to shop below. From inflatable armbands and life vests to foam shark fins, they’ll be zipping past you in the fast lane before you know it.
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Speedo Baby Learn To Swim Seat, Yellow
Being completely wet for periods longer than bath time may be a new thing for babies and toddlers. To get them used to the life aquatic, this inflatable ring with an integrated seat and headrest can help. With its bold yellow colour, this piece is a fun aid that folds down flat in holiday luggage.
Buy now £23.00, John Lewis
Toddler Pool Float Inflatable Car
Make your baby the coolest kid on the block in this inflatable swim seat that comes with a retractable hood canopy for extra UV protection from the sun. The 3D design is made for toddlers and children up to the age of 7 and comes complete with a steering wheel and cute horn. They’ll love getting in the water when they’re in this thing - but let’s face it; who wouldn’t?
Buy now £20.78, Amazon
Nabaiji Kids Swimming Adjustable Pool Armbands-Waistband
Inflatable armbands with extra reinforcements, this design is made for toddlers and young kids (2 to 6 years old) learning water skills. The extra buoyancy helps support them from a vertical to a horizontal position, in turn making it easier to teach them the first steps.
When they’re confident enough, the armbands detach so you can continue their lessons without the vest, which does add a little bulk. The vest-like design comes in a selection of bright colours and prints to make them more appealing for young ones.
Buy now £15.99, Decathlon
Speedo Croc Swim Vest - 2-4 Years
A more streamlined swim vest with foam inserts to help with floating, this crocodile-themed piece lends a sense of independence to new swimmers. Arms and legs are left unobstructed so they have total freedom of movement to master backstroke, front crawl and more. Manufactured to European safety standards.
Buy now £16.62, Amazon
Beco Sealife Swimming Belt Assorted Colours Plain
If your little one needs more flexibility in a float, this belt can help. It threads foam pieces through the belt to give 360 support. One for younger kids just starting out on their swimming journey, the aid features a fun shark design to encourage play in the water.
Buy now £20.68, Amazon
Sunnylife Swim Vest 1-2 years in Smiley
Keep your infant’s head above water in Sunnylife’s gleaming gold vest, which comes with a crotch strap to keep it secure on the body. Designed for kids aged 1 to 2 years of age, it’s as fun as it is practical with a pair of angel wings on the back to further support buoyancy.
Buy now £20.25, Sunnylife
Nabaiji Kickboard 100 Swimming - Blue Pink
Ideal for both children and adults learning to swim, this foam kickboard is a tried-and-tested aid, available in leisure centres across the UK. It can be handy having your own to teach kids to swim, especially if you have more than one. It can be positioned under the torso for extra support or held in front by the handles to learn how to kick properly.
Buy now £9.99, Decathlon
Back Float Safety Swim Trainer
As your child gets more confident in their swimming ability, they’ll have less reliance on floats. This trainer is perfect for their journey as you can add and remove the foam layers to decrease buoyancy as they improve.
The adjustable strap secures around the midriff and is made from robust fabric, so will not slip under the water and break free from your little one. It’s lightweight, long-lasting and designed to be worn on the back, supporting a natural swim position.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
SwimFin Swimming Aid for Confidence Swim Fin
Hilarious, yes, but also a very useful swimming aid for kids who are learning the finer points of a front crawl. The foam fin helps keep them afloat while leaving their torso and limbs free to swim, promoting a natural swimming position. They’ll love chasing you around, pretending to be the king of the ocean. Your very own baby shark.
Buy now £28.22, Amazon
