SWIM TOOLS

We have a swimmer!

Even if you grew up in a pool and are an Olympian level swimmer, it’s so smart to have someone else wear the hat of swim teacher for your child. There’s nothing I can recommend higher in terms of learning to swim. Find a really good swim coach in your area, and do the one-on-one lessons. Beyond that, here are some things we also have in our swim bag that helped:

Goggles. A must. Find ones that fit your child and what they will tolerate wearing. Trey had another pair that broke, but our swim coach let him borrow her three year old’s pair, and they were the ones linked, and for the first time we had goggles that didn’t leak! For ages 3-8. For competitive swimming and slightly older kids her favorites are these.

Dive toys. We use these in our lessons. You can start by putting them on shallower steps and then progress to the deeper water. Great incentives for putting faces underwater. (Also sometimes available at the dollar store!)

Kickboard. Any kind works. Helps with practicing isolated kicking.

Child Sized Fins. Our swim coach recommended fins for learning proper kick technique, and when Trey joined the swim team they swam with fins every day. I bought the smallest size XXXXS (yes) which fit our 4 year old, and you can sometimes find an open box deal, I found a “used” pair for $4. Our swim coach also had these, which both my kids tried and are adjustable to fit both an 18m and 4 year old! But a bit pricier at full price.

Wetsuit. It’s January and we’re outdoors (but we can still swim!) we just needed something to stay a little warmer for longer. This one is so cheap for a wetsuit, $18, and Trey can use it during lake swims too. This is a “shorty” to give him more arms and legs range of motion. I also have this baby one that runs large and is adjustable.

Pool noodle. I didn’t buy one since they’re available at our pool, but they’re sometimes at the dollar store! Can use under a child’s armpits as extra flotation while they get more confident swimming with their whole body.

For babies:

A float suit instead of a puddle jumper. Allows for babies to learn how to use their arms.

Reusable swim diapers. I’ve only bought swim diapers once, for both kids! And they have never once pooped while swimming. Saves me money, the environment, the need to buy/pack a lot for trips, and the worry of running out.

A tinted mineral sunscreen stick is the way to go for kids’ faces, I like this one. We have this for body (sprays clear, EWG rating is 3, and at the time the cheapest of the clean sunscreens I found)

For me:

My mom is a year round, California swimmer and has all the winter swim gear for me to borrow. Since I am in the pool with Trey, I needed something to keep warm to/from. With small kids I didn’t want to bother changing before or after, so I wear this amazing swim parka over my suit. Keeps me toasty warm in the car.