Life Lessons, Made Fun
Learning to swim is an important life skill. Even if you don’t live near open water, and you prefer vacations away from the water’s edge, you never know when being confident and competent in water might just save your life.
Most people, even if they live in cities with excellent public transit, will learn to drive – swimming should be treated the same way. There are lots of aids out there to help make learning to swim a bit more fun and challenging (in a good way), while ensuring your safety in the water. We’ve reviewed a selection of them here, including aids for both children and adults – so there really is no excuse not to start learning to swim today.
Step 1 – Baby Steps
What You Want:
A bright, fun, and safe way to introduce an infant or young toddler to the water for the very first time, and perhaps include some basic swimming strokes.
What You Need:
The Stearns Puddle Jumper Swim Support
Specifically designed to keep a child’s head above water, Puddle Jumpers are the ideal floatation sleeve choice for those experiencing the pool for the first time.
Pros:
- Child friendly
- Keeps head above water
- Durable
Cons:
- Bulky, especially for smaller children
Value For Money?
For an older infant or toddler who’s just getting used to water as something to play in, rather than just a fact of bath time, the Puddle Jumper floatation sleeves are ideal, as they ensure your child’s head is kept above water. Many children dislike putting their head under water at first, so this provides them with safety and security as they learn new ways to have fun, and gain confidence in the pool.
Last update on 2021-12-24 at 00:32 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Step 2 – Gaining Confidence
What You Want:
A way for older children to gain swimming confidence, without risking their head going under water, as can happen with many of the floatation sleeves on the market.
What You Need:
No products found.
Affordable and fun, a swim ring provides an all-embracing, inflatable float. A swim ring is a good way to get children’s leg muscles accustomed to the action of swimming, and, for older children, the position involved in grasping a swim ring by one edge, and pushing it along in front of them, means their head will be kept clear of the water at all times, which helps to build up trust and confidence.
A swim ring also provides support for a child if they start to tire from swimming, and just want to float until they get their second wind. As with all pool toys and swimming aids, however, supervision is important.
Pros:
- Bright, child-friendly graphics
- Durable
- Value for money – ideal for pool parties, or larger families.
Cons:
- Not suitable for adults or very young children.
Value For Money?
This is an affordable pool accessory and swim aid, especially as the price is for a pack of three rings, which is ideal for those with several children around the same age, or if you’re organizing a neighborhood pool party.
No products found.
Step 3 – Kickin’ It
What You Want:
A lightweight float that can be held out in front of a child learning to swim, or needing to gain confidence.
What You Need:
Soak Aqua Slicer Float
A light, flexible surfboard shaped kick float, that is designed to be held lengthways, meaning that the individual can rest their head or chest on the body of the float, ensuring their head is kept clear of the water.
The board is light enough for a child to carry easily, and comes in a range of bright colors.
It is important to note that this is NOT a surfboard or body/boogie board, and is not designed to support full bodyweight.
Pros:
- Light, flexible foam
- Good support for those learning to swim
Cons:
- Not suitable for very young children, who might struggle to grip safely.
Value For Money?
While it’s not the cheapest kick float out there, this does offer the flexibility of being suitable for both children and adults who are learning to swim.
- [High-Quality Material] Made of compressed foam, Sunlite Sports Swim Kickboard is built with remarkable durability that will last. Play...
- [Skateboard-Like Design] Our kickboard is shaped as a skateboard that signifies energy, sunshine, and fun. Use our kickboard as a training...
- [Training Aid] Perfect swimming training prop for kids learning swimming or just having fun in the water. With a swimming board that helps...
Last update on 2021-12-28 at 01:04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Step 4 – Adding the Fun
What You Want:
A fun, flexible buoyancy aid-cum-pool-toy for adults and children.
What You Need:
No products found.
This particular item is a five pack of pool noodles, made of dense foam for improved buoyancy. Whether you hold one either side, bend a single noodle round in front of you, or use them as aquatic lightsabers in fantasy battles, these foam friends will offer practical, water based fun, and support for those new to swimming, or needing to gain confidence.
Pros:
- Dense foam for improved buoyancy
- Flexible
- Fun
- Range of bright colors
Cons:
- A little short for adults
Value For Money?
These have so many uses, both practical and playful, there’s really no reason not to buy! You can purchase pool noodle connectors (separately, ASIN: B01NCNQQ8L ) to overcome the length issue for adults, by joining two noodles together,
No products found.
Step 5 – Plunging the Depths
What You Want:
A way for confident swimmers to get used to having their head underwater, whilst setting themselves a challenge; a way to add an aquatic element to regular workouts.
What You Need:
10lb Diving Brick
This rubber-coated, weighted brick will drop straight to the bottom of the pool, with the aim being for you to dive down, and bring it to the surface. This is a great way to encourage siblings or friends who are competent swimmers to improve – offer a reward for the first person to surface with their brick!
A diving brick is also a good way to add a new element to regular workout routines – not only do you have the strength training involved in picking up the brick and swimming back with it, there’s also the cardio benefits of underwater swimming, built in to a single exercise. And, of course, you’re working your arm and leg muscles at the same time, at least on the return journey to the surface.
Pros:
- Meets YMCA and American Red Cross safety standards
Cons:
- Rubber coating isn’t all that durable
- Sharp corners
Value For Money?
While this isn’t a bargain basement item, if you know what you’re looking for, it can be a good investment for improving a workout, or encouraging competent swimmers.
- KEMP Diving Brick
- Official 10 lb Diving Brick
- Rubber, Safe for bottom of pool
Last update on 2021-12-28 at 01:04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
