Which Swimming Aids Are Safe for Young Children?

When you take a young child into the water, safety comes first. That’s why many parents search online for the “best swimming aid” for their child. But what’s truly safe? And what helps your child most in learning how to swim?

In this blog, we compare the most common swimming aids for toddlers, explain their pros and cons, and recommend which type fits best at each stage of development.

Arm Floaties

Pros:

• Widely available

• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Restricts arm movement

• Can slip off or deflate

• Encourages an unnatural swimming position

Summary: Suitable for short play moments under supervision, but not ideal for learning to swim.

Swim Vests with Back Support / Float Seats

Pros:

• Supports torso and arms

• Comfortable to wear

Cons:

• Limits self-initiated movement

• Child "hangs" in the water without engaging muscles

Summary: Great for recreational splashing, less effective for active swim development.

Buoyancy Swimsuits (e.g. EasySwim)

Pros:

• Promotes a natural horizontal body position

• Full freedom of movement

• Adjustable buoyancy (removable floats)

• Encourages active participation from the child

Cons:

• More expensive than basic floaties

Summary: Best option for children aged 3 and up who want to actively learn to swim. Used in professional programs like EasySwim.

What’s the Safest Option?

The safest swimming aid is the one that best matches your child's developmental stage, motor skills, and learning needs. A buoyancy swimsuit offers the ideal combination of safety and freedom of movement.

Important: No swimming aid replaces the active supervision of an adult.

If you want your child to be not only safe but also truly learn how to swim, a buoyancy swimsuit is the best choice. It encourages movement and builds confidence in the water. Floaties and inflatable toys are fun but offer little support for real swim progress.