When it comes to swimming with children, it’s all about building their confidence and maximising their fun in the water. Here’s how to ensure your little ones get the most from a safe, fun swim session.
Set early water safety rules
The earlier your child learns about water safety, the better. Teach them stay-safe swimming rules from the outset – think no running or pushing on the poolside; wearing their swimming aids (armbands, floats and buoyant swim vests) before entering the water and never diving in unless they know how deep it is.
Even if your child knows how to swim, it’s important to supervise them at all times, and if your child can’t swim, stick to the small pool or shallow end of the large pool – it’s still large enough to have fun and splash around in!
Check your local pool for family swimming sessions
Keep an eye out for fun sessions at your local pool. Often these include large inflatables to climb and jump on, and even swim discos. Some pools have special areas just for children, which include water slides, ships and wave machines – kiddy heaven!
Maximise their fun and confidence with games
Playing games in the water helps children to have fun while developing their water confidence. Use our Speedo toys to create pool games and compete against family and friends. Here are some ideas of what you can do:
Improve their diving skills
Place Speedo’s dive sticks or Dive Rings along the floor of the pool and see who can dive down to collect them in the fastest time.
Gain underwater confidence
Wearing their Speedo goggles, challenge your child to swim underwater as far as they can on one breath. Whoever makes it the furthest, wins!
Play and chase
A simple game of tag is always good fun, builds water confidence and encourages children to move themselves through the water. Whoever is ‘it’ has to swim and tag someone else. All you need is a pool and some friends – no accessories required!
Finally, always consider your child’s safety, whatever water environment they are in – whether the pool, sea or river. Take particular care when there’s no lifeguard on duty, and always seek proper safety advice. All of these activities require adult supervision.
