The summer season is eagerly anticipated by our little ones each year. The sun, aquatic activities, family vacations… So many beautiful moments of sharing take place during the summer ☀️
We all agree that water games and aquatic activities are a favorite among children every year. These pool games are a great way for our little ones to let off steam and can be enjoyed from a very young age (3 months), as long as the swimming conditions are well supervised by parents and with the use of flotation accessories like inflatable floats, swimming armbands, and swim vests.
Today, we want to share some valuable tips for ensuring safe swims with your 3-year-old child. Let's explore together how to choose the right float for a 3-year-old, the possible alternatives (armbands, floating swimsuits, swim belts…), and the best advice for effective swimming lessons 🏊
The Benefits of a Float for a 3-Year-Old Child
The float for a 3-year-old child has many advantages compared to other alternatives. This floating accessory is preferred to ensure the greatest safety and, above all, to build the child's confidence during their first swims. These floats are perfect for young children as they explore the aquatic environment. They can also help them overcome any potential fear of water or aquaphobia.
But the pool float for a child is also ideal when your little one reaches 2, 3 years old or more and has not yet fully embraced this new environment. The inflatable float is a stable tool where the child is either in a reassuring seated position (as with the seat float) or secured with a safety harness (as with the baby swimmer float).
The child can then swim safely and calmly. Using a swimming float for 3-year-olds has the following benefits:
- Aquatic and physical awakening👶: the earlier the child discovers their body, the more natural physical abilities they will have.
- Ideal learning to swim 🏊: the float for young children is an adequate tool for learning to swim safely and confidently.
- Peace of mind for parents ✔️: although each parent must play the role of lifeguard during every swim, closely watching their child, the swim ring adds an extra layer of security, reassuring for parents.
Also check out our other articles on baby floats to understand all the issues associated with this flotation device and make your choice with confidence:
- Which float for a 1-year-old baby?
- Comparative of the best baby floats
- Which float for a 2-year-old child?
Seat Float for a 3-Year-Old
Best-seller in the category, the baby seat float is available in many formats and fun, original designs:
- Flamingo baby seat float (with or without sunshade) 🦩
- Unicorn baby float 🦄
- Swan baby seat float 🦢
- Elephant baby seat float 🐘
- Watermelon baby float 🍉
Your child will be in a reassuring seated position, with UV protection (in the case of models with a sunshade), and they can move and balance using their feet. A great way to entertain your little one all summer!
Discover the complete collection of baby seat floats:
NB: Classic round floats or swim rings (with a hole in the middle, without a seat) should be avoided if possible because the child has no real support to float (unlike the seat floats in our collections or the baby swimmer floats with a safety harness). If they lift their arms, the risk of drowning increases.
Animal Floats for 3-Year-Olds
As briefly mentioned in the previous section, animal-shaped baby floats are very popular with young children. All children are drawn to animals. This sensitivity is inexplicable but very real.
Riding a candy-pink flamingo or a legendary rainbow-colored unicorn will always make little ones happy. They will have fun and connect with you more intensely. Perfect for lovely afternoons in the home pool or at the beach. Discover the complete collection below:
The Benefits of Armbands, Vests, and Floating Swimsuits for a 3-Year-Old
Other alternatives (armbands, belts, floating swimsuits…) provide more freedom for the child, but they must already be very confident in the water.
Armbands for 3-Year-Olds
Armbands help the child float on the water's surface. The child is completely free to move, they can move their body in all directions, and they are not attached to an inflatable accessory, as can be the case with a float.
Armbands are more suitable for children who already have good control over their bodies. Generally, armbands are used by children aged 2 to 3 years and older for serious swimming lessons. Be sure to adjust the armbands to your child's weight and prefer armbands with two independent inflatable chambers (for added safety).
Floating Swimsuits for Children
The floating swimsuit or swim vest is worn like regular clothing (over the head). It generally consists of built-in floats around the waist. The child can easily tip forward or backward, so close supervision during swims is necessary.
But just like armbands, the floating swimsuit gives the child a lot of freedom of movement, which is quite enjoyable for them. It is ideal for children aged 2.5 to 3 years and older who are comfortable in the water and already have a good level of swimming skills.
NB: Float vests should preferably be worn over a t-shirt to prevent potential chafing and irritation (especially under the arms, as shown in the image below).
Swimming Belts for Babies and Pool Noodles
For educational purposes, when you want your child to learn to swim effectively, the swim belts found in all pools, used by lifeguards, are perfect for children around 5 years old.
They provide stability and support around the abdomen. However, like previous models, the child must be comfortable in the water (hence the recommended use from 5 years old). The choice of a baby swim belt depends on the child's weight.
The pool noodle is a must-have for learning to swim from age 4. It can be placed under the hands, neck, or underarms according to the child's preference. Ideally, the noodle should be used in combination with the swim belt to help the child learn the fundamentals of swimming (body balance, arm extension, leg kicking…).
Some Final Tips for Swimming with Your 3-Year-Old
As with any activity, the earlier your baby discovers the water and the aquatic environment, the quicker they will develop their motor skills. Learning to swim will be easier for your little one, and their self-confidence will improve.
Make sure to stay close to them during each swim, not to limit their movements and frustrate them, but to ensure their safety and support their development.
When choosing your inflatable product, always opt for products that comply with CE standards, made of reinforced waterproof PVC or vinyl, and equipped with a universal anti-reflux valve (for quick inflation with an electric pump, for example).
This article is coming to an end, and we hope it has helped you gain clarity on floats for 3-year-old children and the possible alternatives. We suggest visiting our complete collection of baby floats to discover the best inflatable floats currently available on the market:
