Most mums face the challenge of getting a good toddlers swim vest for their kids during summer.
This post contains a list of the very best toddlers’ swim vests available.
Now you don’t have to worry about summer because your little ones will have good swim vests to help them stay afloat while learning how to swim.
1. Michael Phelps
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This cute and beautifully colored swim vest from Michael Phelps has a quality built-in foam to give your child buoyancy and great balance in water.
It gives your child confidence to swim as they get ready to learn.
The vest has adjustable straps to promote comfort while wearing it and also makes swimming easy.
It has a back handle which is important when a child is learning how to swim. The back handle keeps the body in a swimming position while swimming and your child’s position is very important while learning how to swim.
Pros
- Flexible
- Padded foam promotes stability and buoyancy in water
- Enables independent learning
- Straps are adjustable for convenience
Cons
- The straps may irritate your child’s tender skin
- It may be small for big kids
See reviews on Amazon.
2. Speedo Unisex-baby Begin to Swim
This swim vest for toddlers will teach your kid how to swim comfortably and it has many helpful features like its sun protection that blocks harmful UV rays.
It has a polyester inner lining that gives your child lots of comfort inside the swim vest and it also prevents chaffing.
The Speedo Unisex-baby Begin to Swim vest has soft and sturdy neoprene designs that gives all round warmth and perfect buoyancy. It also offers maximum security due to its safety closure and zipper.
This swim vest is designed with a buckle closure and a full front zipper for easy wearing and removing.
Pros
- Enhances buoyancy
- Highly comfortable for ease while swimming
- Safety closure for protection
- UV protection included
Cons
- May not float well
- It may be big on kids with small bodies
- May not offer the true life-vest solution
See reviews on Amazon.
3. Stearns Puddle Jumper
This swim vest for kids offers comfort and durability due to its users and its nylon shell makes it one of the best baby floatation vest. It provides all round safety in water.
The Stearns Puddle Jumper also has beautiful and fun designs that kids will love and relate to.
You can use this if this is the first time your child is at the beach just because of its floatation technology.
This product is approved by the U.S coast guard.
It has adjustable straps for comfort and its safety buckle closes and snaps perfectly. Your child won’t be able to open it without your notice thereby making them safe in it.
Pros
- Kid-friendly designs and patterns
- Free of chaffing
- Can accommodate kids weighing up to 50 lbs
- Gives kids the freedom to move in water while keeping their heads out
- Perfect for kids who are learning to swim
- Adjustable straps and safety buckles cannot be opened by kids
- Firm and comfortable while swimming
Cons
- A bit difficult to store
- More expensive than other brands
- May not turn the child to the back if they fall on their faces
See reviews on Amazon.
4. Full Throttle Turtle Shell
This is one of the best swim vest for toddler under 30 lbs. it has bright and colorful designs to attract kids and make them adore it.
It is approved by the U.S coast guard and made carefully with premium material to give your child a comfortable and blissful experience.
For the safety of your child, this swim vest for toddlers comes with a well-rounded back to keep the vest closely fitted on the body as your child learns to swim and paddle.
It is easy to clean by hand washing and it can easily be taken with you on vacation.
Pros
- Has leg straps to prevent the vest from coming up
- Colorful and attractive designs for kids
- Approved by the U.S coast guard
- Sturdy, firm, and comfortable
Cons
- It may be small for big kids
- Not suitable for all water places due to its type of floatation design (111)
- Need adult supervision when in use as it may keep the child’s face down into the water
See reviews on Amazon.
5. SwimSchool
A floatation vest is necessary if your child is learning how to swim and this is one of the best swim vests for toddlers learning how to swim.
It is made with soft materials and padded shoulders just to keep your child comfortable as they swim. The padded foam also gives balance in the water.
The vest comes with adjustable leg straps to promote ease and heavy duty zippers to ensure ease in wearing the vest and removing it.
This swim vest for toddlers is designed for kids weighing below 33 lbs.
Pros
- Bright and colorful designs
- Adjustable leg straps for flexibility, comfort, and freedom while in the water
- Built-in foam for balance and buoyancy while swimming
- Ensures your child stays in a swim position
- Has UPF sun protection for sensitive and tender skin
Cons
- The fabric may stretch out over time
- May be too small for bigger kids
- Does not give full buoyancy
- The strap may not completely stop the vest from going up
See reviews on Amazon.
6. Zerlar Kids Float Suit Girls Swim Vest
This swim vest is specifically designed for girls and it offers them maximum comfort as they swim due to its neoprene, nylon, and spandex fabric.
It also has a polyester inner lining that offers durability and protection while swimming. Zerlar swim vest also offers great buoyancy while inside the water.
It has a chunky front zipper for safety and ease of removal and wear. It has soft inner polyester lining to offer your child maximum protection from sun rays and also to provide warmth.
Pros
- Zipper provides a lot of ease for removal and wearing
- Offers freedom and confidence while swimming due to its design
- Offers maximum buoyancy
- Protects from sun rays
Cons
- It may feel a little bulky on kids
- May stretch out soon
- Kids still need adult supervision when using it
See reviews on Amazon.
7. Splash About
This swim vest for toddlers have lovely and colorful prints that kids will love. This fun and safety guaranteed swim vest for toddlers is made with soft neoprene and non-removable floatation foam.
You can travel with this swim vest due to its lightweight and it also offers maximum protection from sun rays.
This swim vest dried quickly after swimming and it fits securely. It is made with a super YKK zip and also has a soft lining to prevent chaffing.
It also offers buoyancy which makes kids confident in swimming.
Pros
- Can be taken on journeys due to its light weight
- Resistant to sand
- Increases kids’ confidence in swimming due to its buoyancy
- Made with neoprene
- Easy to dry and easy to wear
- Fits perfectly without chaffing
- Has beautiful and colorful designs
- Flexible and lightweight
Cons
- It may ride up to your child’s neck
- May be wider on a child’s body
- It needs armbands which you will buy separately
- May not be fitting for toddlers with small bodies
See reviews on Amazon.
8. Stohlquist
This swim vest for toddlers keep kids afloat and safe, it also ensures that the movement and padding of the arms are not hindered because it has a double collar.
Stohlquist also has an open neck system to make being in the water easier.
The front zipper offers premium security. It sits firm and aids easy removal and wear. Stohlquist has an adjustable crotch strap and a box-stitched buckle fixture for added firmness and durability.
It has a grab handle that aids drying, pulling out, and swimming. This swim vest for toddlers also offers buoyancy.
Pros
- It is a type 11 life jacket
- Keeps your child afloat
- Has maximum buoyancy
- Front zipper and crotch straps offers safety
- Perfect ease during use due to open neck design
- Has double collar which promotes head and neck stability
Cons
- Not suitable for smaller kids because the zipper may chafe
- It is too bulky
- Not to be used without adult supervision because it may keep your child’s face down
See reviews on Amazon.
9. Topsung Kids Deluxe
This beautiful floatation vest makes swimming lesson easy and fun for kids. Get this if you plan on introducing your toddler into the water.
It has three inseparable inflatable airbags to give your baby a safe and beautiful floating experience. Three bags are used to ensure your child stays afloat in case one of the bags leaks.
Pros
- Offers confidence and safety when swimming
- Has great buoyancy
- Durable, strong, and thick
- Light weight and can easily be taken for holidays
- Comfortable and easy to wear
- Offers freedom in arm movement
Cons
- The child can easily take off this swim vest and this is not safe
- The child must be supervised because it can easily deflate in water
- The armholes may rub on your child’s arm and cause sores
See reviews on Amazon.
10. Splash About UV Floatsuit
This toddlers’ swim vest offers comfort, buoyancy in water, and versatility. It gives kids an unrelenting floatation in water. It has removable floats in front of the swim vest that offers kids confidence in water.
Also, it is made for all-round protection against harmful UV rays. This swim vest has added hands and back zipper for easy wearing and removal.
The kids’ hands and legs can also move freely in the water when wearing this swim vest for toddlers.
Pros
- Does not go up or move around like other swim vests for toddlers
- Easy to wash, wear, and remove
- Offers comfort and confidence when swimming
- Great buoyancy in water
Cons
- Child needs adult supervision as he/she may fall faced down in the water
- May not be suitable for kids who are learning how to swim, it is for those who already know how to swim
- Suitable for older kids
See reviews on Amazon.
What to Look for When Choosing a Swim Vest for Toddlers
You should consider the following factors when choosing a toddlers’ swim vest so that you can get the best for your child.
Certifications
Check for swim vests that have been certified by the U.S Coast Guard. A product certified by this organization has their logo on it.
Certifications show that the product has met the safety standards and your child will not be denied access to some public pools and beaches that demand that children’s swim vests meet the recommended standard.
Size
You have to consider how fit the vest is for your toddler, so be sure of the measurement, size, and weight before buying it.
Ideally, it should not be too loose nor too tight.
Crotch strap
This helps to prevent the vest from riding up even when your child may be having some discomfort. Look for crotch strap that can be adjusted for convenience.
Also look for swim vest with leg straps.
Grab strap
A grab strap comes in handy in cases of emergency. It will help you to pull your child out of danger immediately.
Color
Opt for swim vests with bright colors as it benefits both you and your child.
Bright and colorful swim vests will attract your kids’ attention and they will love using them and at the same time, it will help keep your gaze on them than dull colors.
Orange, yellow, red are good options to go for. They will contrast with cool clear water of the beach and pool.
Large collars
Swim vests with large collars are great because they secure the head and neck of your toddler.
Material used
Check the material used in making the swim vest before purchasing it. This will help you avoid swim vests that absorb water.
Materials best for swim vests are neoprene, spandex, and polyester.
These materials are weightless, do not absorb water, and they are comfortable on the body.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Toddlers Swim Vest
According to the American Academy of Physics, a child can start swimming from the age of 4.
You can start earlier by exposing your child to small water like in a bathtub where they will learn how to kick and paddle pending when they get introduced into the pool or larger water surface.
Yes! They are good and they guarantee safety when your child is in the water due to their padded inbuilt foam to keep your toddler afloat.
They are good swimming aids but they should be used under adult supervision.
The first safety tip you should know is that you should not leave your child alone. The swim vests should not replace your supervision because it takes less than a minute for a child to drown if not guarded.
Then, if you have a pool area in your house, it needs to be fenced so that your toddler doesn’t wander into it and drown. It must be cordoned off when no one is there.
Have rescue tools and keep them at places that are easily accessible in case of emergencies. These rescue tools include shepherd’s hook and other rescue devices that can be used for prompt rescue.
Then the last tip is that your child must always be within your reach when in the pool or beach.
Swim vests and floaties without the seal of approval of this safety organization will not be allowed in public water sights but you can use them in your own private pool under close supervision.
Swim vests with coastal guard approval shows that it has gone through a series of safety tests and has been certified fit and safe for use.
Yes! They can and should be washed and dried after each use.
Most of them come with washing instructions which helps in proper maintenance of the swim vest.
Conclusion
Swimming is a healthy activity that kids can benefit from. However, the fear of drowning in water can make some parents restrict their kids from swimming.
This is where swim vests for toddlers come in – to prevent drowning and keep your child safe in the water.
This post contains the best swim vests for toddlers and how to choose the best for your child.
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