Ah, summer. It’s time for warm breezes, endless sunshine, and long, lazy days by the water with your little one in their girls bathing suit or toddler boy swimwear. Whether your preferred body of water is a outdoor swimming pool, fresh lake, or salty ocean beach, you’re going to need the right gear to maximize your summer fun and your best family beach vacations.
Sun protection, swimwear, and all of the extras that make summer special are an essential part of your waterside kit.
This guide will walk you through all of the swimming accessories for kids that you need for a safe, fashionable, and fantastic outing—wherever you choose to spend your swim time.
The most important swim accessories you need to pack for your day by the water are those that provide sun protection. Keeping your little one (and yourself) safe from the sun’s harmful rays is a must for longterm health.
In fact, having five or more sunburns in your lifetime doubles your risk of skin cancer, so sun protection from the earliest age is critical. When you pack your beach or swimming pool bag, don’t forget the following must-haves:
The first thing you should pack is a cute cover-up for your young child. You can even pack a matching version for yourself. Cover-ups serve several purposes, including:
Another bonus of cover-ups is that they come in a bevy of colors and styles to suit any look. Right now, we’re loving this Navy Tassel Kaftan Cover-Up. It’s the ideal blend of fashion and comfort, featuring tiny white tassels lining the sides and trendy navy blue fabric.
A cover-up will help keep the sun off of your young child’s arms and shoulders, but you also need to protect her face and head. A cute sun hat will do the trick. You’ll love the adorable photos you can snap and she’ll get extra sun-blocking protection on her face.
Some of our absolute favorite sun hats have the following features in common:
For an adorable sun hat with all of these features, check out this Navy Swim Hat.
The skin isn’t the only thing that needs protection from the sun. Your child’s eyes are highly susceptible to damage from harmful UVA and UVB rays. In fact, as many as 10% of cataract cases are caused by sun exposure.
When choosing sunglasses for you and your kids, look for:
Our favorite Kids White Sunglasses block 100% of UV light and have shatter-resistant lenses, making them the perfect choice for your active little swimmer.
Sunscreen isn’t so much an accessory as it is a necessity. The CDC makes the following recommendations about using sunscreen for skin protection:
It’s also worth mentioning that sunscreen should be part of your everyday routine, not just swimming days at the pool or beach.
Along with items to protect her from the sun, your little kid needs something to wear for swimming and after, so a cute swimsuit and a trendy post-swim outfit are essential. If she has longer hair, you may also want a headband to keep her hair out of her eyes.
Let’s take a peek below at some of our favorite options for swimsuits, hair accessories, and post-swim outfits.
There are as many different styles of swimsuits as there are bodies of water to dip your toes in. The right style for your little kid depends on comfort, style, and convenience.
Four of our top swimsuit styles for girls include:
Does your child have flowing locks that are always sticking to her face? You don’t want her to be uncomfortable in the water, so make sure you add a swim-friendly headband to your accessory collection.
The wonderful thing about bands such as this Rose Swim Bow Headband is the combination of style and function. It’s an adorable addition to any of our baby girl swimsuits, but it’ll also keep your baby's hair out of her eyes so she can spot nifty things on the beach.
Plus, there’s a color and style to match every swim outfit, and she’s sure to love the cute bow, too.
After a long day in the water full of pool toys, nothing feels better than fresh, dry clothes. We recommend choosing something simple, that’s easy to change into. Some of our favorite comfy, post-swim outfits include:
With so many options to choose from, we’re sure you’ll find several outfits to love. You and your girl can even shop together to find the perfect post-swim ice cream wear.
Finally, don’t forget the comfy sandals to protect her little feet from the hot sand or pavement as you walk back to the car.
Clothing and swim accessories are critical to a successful swim day. However, they aren’t the only items you should bring with you. Your beach or pool bag should also include:
Toys are a must for pool and beach fun. To avoid going overboard and overloading your bag, opt for a few simple toy options. Some of our favorites include:
It’s always a wise idea to have something to keep your kids entertained out of the water when they need a little break, when you need to reapply sunscreen, or when they’re waiting to digest their food before jumping back in.
Because swimming can be dangerous, it’s important to make sure you have everything you need to keep your little kid safe. Nothing is a substitute for a watchful parent, but additional protection might be helpful for very young kids.
In particular, you may want to bring along personal floatation devices, such as:
It’s important to note that these devices shouldn’t be used in place of teaching your kids how to swim. When it comes to teaching kids to swim on their own, start sooner rather than later so that they can grow up to be confident and strong swimmers.
Less relevant to water safety for children are items such as goggles, kickboards, swim fins, and snorkels. These can be fun tools that older kids can use to explore the water in a carefully supervised environment.
You can’t underestimate the importance of a well-stocked cooler. After all, a hungry kid is a grumpy kid, and you certainly don’t want one of those on your hands.
Some excellent options for waterside snacking include:
You should stick to snacks that aren’t extremely messy, and that can be eaten without extra utensils for minimal hassle.
Finally, don’t forget to keep everyone hydrated. Bring plenty of water, and make sure your little kid is taking regular sips throughout the day to prevent dehydration. It’s best to avoid sugary juices and sodas as they may attract unwanted insects to your party.
An ideal waterside getaway starts with the right gear. When it’s time for some fun in the sun, you don’t want to forget your sun protection, cute outfits, and, of course, snacks. With everything you need in your beach bag, you’ll be ready to enjoy your swimming time.
Luckily, you don’t need to search high and low to find the best swimming accessories for your little ones. You can find them right here at RuffleButts.
You’ll fall in love with our adorable swimsuits, travel accessories for kids, and more. We combine the perfect blend of safety and fashion to produce products you can feel good about. Explore our wide selection today, and get ready for those fabulous days of waterside excitement.
Sources:
Skin Cancer Foundation. Skin Cancer Facts and Statistics. https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/
Skin Cancer Foundation. The Sun & Your Eyes. https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/eye-protection/
CDC. Sun Safety. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm
Texas Swim Academy. Personal Flotation Devices. https://texasswimacademy.com/personal-flotation-devices-are-they-helpful-or-hurtful-when-learning-how-to-swim/
