Kids’ Swim Vests: Ready for Water Fun!
Splashing, floating and becoming a little more confident with every adventure: with a Swim Essentials swim vest, your child can discover the water in a fun and comfortable way. Our swim vestsare made from foam and provide support while floating, moving around and practising those first swimming strokes.
A swim vest provides extra support, but it is not a life jacket. It never replaces swimming skills or adult supervision. Always stay close and within arm’s reach of your child.
Swim vest or armbands: which is right for your child?
A swim vest is worn around the upper body. This distributes buoyancy across the chest and back, while leaving your child’sarms free to move and practise in the water.
Armbands are worn around the upper arms. Swim Essentials inflatable armbands are made from PVC and help keep the arms afloat. For children up to 15 kg, there are options suitable for approximately 0–2 years. For children weighing 15–30 kg, there are armbands suitable for approximately 2–6 years.
Whichever swimming aid you choose, your child still needs to actively move in the water and adult supervision is always essential.
Which swim vest is right for which age and weight?
When choosing a swim vest, the weight of your child is the most important factor. Age is a useful guideline, but every child grows and develops at their own pace.
1-2 years: 11-15 kg
2-3 years: 15-19 kg
3-6 years: 19-30 kg
Body shape also plays a role. For example, a child with a slimmer build may need a different size than a child with a broader build at the same weight.
How should a swim vest fit?
A good swim vest should fit snugly while still giving your child plenty of room to move and play. It should never feel too tight, but it also shouldn’t be so loose that it rides up when your child gets into the water.
Make sure the safety zip is fully closed and fasten the safety strap between the legs. Check the fit before every water adventure. That way, your child can comfortably keep splashing, practising and discovering.
Looking for the right size? Explore our swim vests for 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds and 6-year-olds.
