My Favorite Swimming Accessories
Swimming can involve lots of extra equipment and prep, including snacks, swimsuits, diapers, goggles, toys, etc. Luckily, there are a lot of amazing products out there to support a perfect family swim excursion. As an aquatic OT, here are some of my favorite products that may help to enhance your kiddo’s swim day!
Floatation: swim belts
Why I Love Them: oftentimes, families use traditional “floaties” around the arms. I prefer a floatation belt because it provides support closer to your child’s center of mass, but still allows for full movement of their arms. If kiddos have more freedom of movement in their arms, they will get more opportunities to practice swim strokes!
Helpful Tips:
-Sometimes, kids will be a little too buoyant in a floatation belt and their feet will still want to float (this can tip them over in the water). Try some water shoes or fins to counteract the buoyancy.
-experiment with placing the buckle in the front or back; this will impact which side of your child’s body is more supported with the floatation; adjust the belt’s positioning so your child is in a vertical position in the water and not tilting forward/backwards.
Floatation: Bubble
Why I Love It: This acts similarly to a floatation belt, but each pad can be removed to reduced buoyancy support as your child progresses in their swim skills.
Helpful Tips:
-remove 1 layer as a time as your child progresses. Once they can sustain a vertical position and propel themselves about 4x pool lengths, they may be ready for reduced floatation
-encourage your child to remove floatation pads themselves for additional problem-solving and visual motor work!
Goggles:
Why I love Them: These goggles have a softer strap that will fit looser and will not pull hair. These are great for kiddos with tactile/clothing sensitivities.
Helpful Tips:
-If your child wears a pony tail, place the pony below the strap to support the goggles and prevent the strap from slipping down.
-encourage your child to adjust and don the goggles themselves as an additional opportunity to work on fine motor/dressing skills!
Fins:
Why I Love Them: Fins give extra proprioceptive input to the feet. This helps with spatial awareness and body orientation when a kiddo cannot touch the pool floor. With each kick, kids get a little extra leverage, which can encourage reciprocal kicking and propulsion.
Helpful Tips:
-These pair well with a floatation belt
-if children are almost swimming independently, these are a great tool. They can bridge the gap between using floatation and swimming independently.
Swim Diapers:
Why I Love Them: These diapers come in larger sizes for kiddos who have outgrown typical toddler sizes.
Helpful Tips:
-use a consistent dressing routine (dress in the same room, with same positioning, with same order of clothing)
-use consistent, simple phrases to make dressing routine predictable
-encourage your child to participate in donning/doffing swim diaper as independently as possible; give them extra time to work on these steps.
Oral Necklaces:
Why I Love Them: If your kiddo has a tendency to drink the pool water, try offering a silicone necklace for them to chew while swimming!
Helpful Tips:
-choose any shape they like, but ensure they do not have a tube that would allow for drinking
-if your child continues to drink pool water, leave a water bottle close by and redirect them to sip on their water bottle
-foam bath letters can serve as effective chewers as well
Watermelon Ball:
Why I Love It: The watermelon ball is weighted and both sinks and floats. It is great for many ages and functional levels. By using it for simple structured games, it can be a great tool for visual tracking, coordination, strengthening, balance, turn-taking, and proprioceptive regulation.
Helpful Tips: Try these simple games:
-catch, throw, kick, or push the ball
-stand and throw from the stairs
-splashing contests with the ball
-color identification games
-keep the ball underwater
Ear Plugs:
Why I Love Them: These earplugs muffle external sound, but do not block out direct verbal communication. They are waterproof and have different sizes to perfectly fit different ears. These are perfect for swimming in noisy pool environments.
Helpful Tips:
-try on for size first, the ear plugs will sink and could get lost!
-supervise kids closely while using. It is not recommended to give these to children ages 3 and under, as they are a choking hazard.
Ear Drops:
Why I Love Them: These ear drops can be used to instantly dry and cleanse ears after swimming. These can help to prevent swimmer’s ear.
Helpful Tip:
consult your child’s pediatrician before using ear drops
Period-Proof Swimwear:
Why I Love Them (full website selection): This site offers swimwear that can be used during a menstrual cycle. There are various sizes, styles, and levels of absorbance available to perfectly suit you child and their preferences.
Helpful Tips:
-consider sensory needs prior to purchasing (research seams, elasticity, etc.)
-items can be returned within 30 days as long as the original sanitary strap and tags are still intact
-practice using bottoms outside of cycle to determine fit and comfort
-utilize the website’s virtual fit guide here for fitting and product support
Feel free to email us with your thoughts/questions. If you have any other game-changing equipment or hacks, please share them them with Emily! We can’t wait to swim with you!
