Looking for the best swim vest for your toddler is not an easy task, with many designs and options to choose from. It’s important to find the right one for your child’s age and skill level to ensure their safety in and around water.
Swim vests, floaties, and life jackets are all helpful tools to keep your child afloat and secure in the water. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of the best swim vests for toddlers, including features like buoyancy and straps, as well as some useful swimming safety tips to help your child have a fun and safe time in the water.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Toddler Swim Vest: Body Glove Paddle Pal Swim Life Jacket
- Best Toddler Swim Vest Under 30 lbs: Full Throttle Infant Baby-Safe Life Jacket
- Best Toddler Swim Vest And Swimsuit: Megartico Kids Swim Trainer Float Vest with Swimwear
- Best Toddler Swim Vest For 1-Year-Old: STEARNS Infant Puddle Jumper Hydroprene Life Jacket
- Best Toddler Swim Vest For 2-Year-Old: Swimschool TOT Swim Training Vest for Toddlers
- Best Toddler Swim Vest For 3-Year-Old: SwimSchool Swim Trainer Vest
- Best Toddler Swim Vest For 4-Year-Old: Poolmaster Learn-to-Swim Dino Kid’s Swim Vest
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Toddler Swim Vests Picks
Body Glove Paddle Pal Swim Life Jacket – Best Overall Toddler Swim Vest
- This type of design is so much safer for small kids
- The product itself is of good quality
- The back buckle insures your kid will not remove it or loosen it
- Great shoulder straps
- Might be too snug for bigger kids
Designed for kids weighing between 33-55 lbs, this level 70 (Type V/III) PFD is perfect for all kinds of boating activities, whether you’re in, on, or next to the water.
Paddle Pals life vests meet the highest quality requirements set by the U.S.C.G. (and TC), so you can rest assured that your child will be safe and secure while wearing it. But safety doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort – these vests are constructed of sturdy polyester and feature a multi-panel design for maximum comfort, as well as a safety shoulder harness to keep the vest in place.
Toddlers will love the selection of vibrant colors and fun graphic patterns available, making wearing a life vest a little less daunting. With a strap and buckle mechanism attached to the rear of the vest, children won’t be able to take it off by themselves, and the Paddle Pals life vest prevents chafing for all-day comfort.
- Weight Range: 33-55 lbs
Full Throttle Infant Baby-Safe Life Jacket – Best Toddler Swim Vest Under 30 lbs
- Fit small infants well
- The closure is on the side
- Great quality
- Comfortable
- Can be a bit awkward to hold
This amazing Type II Life Jacket has a patented design that offers excellent head support with its special collar. Plus, it comes with an adjustable leg strap and an easy-to-use clasp opening, making it super comfy for your little one to wear.
This also has a fabric leg strap with elastic to provide enhanced comfort and a handy grasp strap for quick and easy recovery. And let’s not forget about the money you’ll save on costly repairs, thanks to the jacket’s ability to protect your little one from abrasive sand, rocks, concrete ramps, and even oyster beds.
- Weight Range: less than 30 lbs
Megartico Kids Swim Trainer Float Vest with Swimwear – Best Toddler Swim Vest And Swimsuit
- Great for toddlers that have yet to learn how to swim
- Front and back float pads
- Adjustable belt
- Soft material
- Runs small
Made of super comfy polyester, your toddler will have no problem wearing it for hours. And the best part? They can easily take it off while they’re still in the water, without any adult help. Plus, it dries quickly so you can use it whenever you want.
With its bright color, you can easily spot your kiddos in the busy pool, giving you peace of mind. And let’s not forget the cool designs that your kids will absolutely love! Putting on and taking off the vest is a breeze, thanks to the front zipper design that even your kids can handle.
The button control buckle ensures that your little ones won’t accidentally remove their swimsuits on their own. And with the adjustable neoprene safety belt between the legs, you can rest assured that your child will have a snug and secure fit.
- Weight Range: 22-70 lbs
STEARNS Infant Puddle Jumper Hydroprene Life Jacket – Best Toddler Swim Vest For 1-Year-Old
- This product is perfect for even tiny babies
- The grab strap is a great feature
- The design allows your child to float upright and practice swimming
- The front pad makes it difficult for him to climb into the pool facing away from the pool
- Not the easiest to get in and off, but they are secure in it
With a convenient front pocket, your 1-year-old can keep all of their fishing gear at their fingertips. This life vest is approved by the US Coast Guard and has mesh on the back and shoulders to keep your little one cool on hot days. The large arm openings provide ample space for your little one to paddle, cast, and shoot with ease.
You can personalize the fit of the vest to their body with the front zipper and adjustable webbed clasp strap. And, with its sturdy Crosstech Flotation Foam and 200D nylon shell, you can be sure they’re wearing a vest that will last. For added safety and security, leg restraints and a grab grip are also included.
- Weight Range: under 30 lbs
Swimschool TOT Swim Training Vest for Toddlers – Best Toddler Swim Vest For 2-Year-Old
- Teaches balance and lessens the fears
- The back is a turtle shell
- Easy to inflate and deflate
- Travel friendly
- The strap that goes between the legs
This stretchable, form-fitting UPF 50 fabric is gentle on your 2-year-old’s skin while shielding them from harmful UV rays. Plus, the sturdy, fabric-covered tube has a leak-proof air valve for added safety. The swim vest is also easy to inflate and deflate, making it ideal for mobility and storage.
To boost your child’s swimming confidence, adjust the fins to sit high on their chest, enabling free arm movements and increased stability. Don’t forget to check out their instructional video for tips on correctly inflating the swim vest before use. This swim vest is equipped with an adjustable safety strap seat to ensure a secure fit around your child’s torso.
- Weight Range: under 33 lbs
SwimSchool Swim Trainer Vest – Best Toddler Swim Vest For 3-Year-Old
- It doesn’t ride up the neck
- Very comfortable to wear
- Affordable
- There are tips in the back from the pull of the bottom strap
- Great vest but only if your kid knows how to swim a little
If your 3-year-old needs a boost in the water, the Swim Trainer Vest is the way to go! With padded shoulders, a strong zipper, and an adjustable safety strap, it’s a breeze to put on and take off.
A balanced flotation device is essential for children learning pre-swimming poses, and a snug vest made of gentle, comfy fabric aids in their progress by encouraging the use of their arms, legs, and proper swimming posture.
- Weight Range: 20-50 lbs
Poolmaster Learn-to-Swim Dino Kid’s Swim Vest – Best Toddler Swim Vest For 4-Year-Old
- You can slowly take out the foam strips inside the jacket as swimming skills progress
- It is easy to get on and off
- Gives the stability your kid needs
- Lasts long
- Run a bit small
With an eye-catching green color, this vest makes it super easy for you to keep an eye on your little swimmers in the pool. Made from high-quality neoprene, this swim vest is both soft and sturdy and dries quickly after use in the water.
Thanks to the easy-glide oversized zipper and tab top, your 4-year-old can quickly and easily put on and take off the vest themselves. Plus, the security strap is adjustable and wrapped for comfort, ensuring a secure and snug fit.
When it’s time to call it a day, the side-release mechanism with an integrated button lock keeps the security buckle securely fastened until your child is ready to remove the vest.
- Weight Range: 40-60 lbs
How To Choose The Best Toddler Swim Vests?
- Safety: How safe the vest will be for your child should be your first concern. To prevent them from wriggling out from the bottom of the vest, look for features like an underbelly strap and a Velcro or other type of clasp at the top of the zipper.
- Material: Most vests are made from nylon or polyester, which are both durable and quick-drying. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that the vest is well-constructed and has strong seams.
- Size: Vests are typically available in sizes 2T-4T. It’s important to choose a vest that is snug but not too tight. You should also make sure that the vest has adjustable straps so that it can grow with your child.
- Coast Guard Approval: When sailing or engaging in other water sports or leisure activities, toddler swim vests with Coast Guard clearance can also double as life jackets. This is so that, in the case of an unintentional fall into the water, these vests can help avoid drowning by offering buoyancy and support in the water.
- Comfort: Make sure your child’s swim vest fits tightly and doesn’t ride up beneath their chin when choosing one for them. When swimming, chafing may be a severe problem, so be sure to choose a swim vest made of fabrics that won’t irritate you.
- UV Protection: There are a few things you can do to protect your child from sunburn. One is to dress them in synthetic materials and bright colors. Dark and bright colors absorb more UV radiation than lighter-colored fabrics, so they can help to prevent sunburn. Another option is to use sunscreen. Be sure to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and reapply it every two hours or as needed. As a child, a single severe sunburn can increase the likelihood of developing skin cancer (1).
Swimming Safety Tips For Toddlers
Swimming is a great way for toddlers to stay active and have fun, but it’s important to keep safety in mind. Here are some swimming safety tips for toddlers:
- Never leave your toddler unattended around water, not even for a minute.
- Teach your toddler how to stay safe around water, such as never going into the water without an adult and always wearing a life jacket when swimming.
- Make sure the pool you’re using is safe for toddlers, with shallow water and a fence around it.
- Keep an eye on your toddler at all times when they are near water, even if they are wearing a life jacket.
Floaties Vs. Swim Vests
Floaties and swim vests are both types of personal flotation devices (PFDs) that can be used to help keep children safe in the water. Floaties are inflatable devices that are worn around the arms and legs, while swim vests are designed to be worn around the torso. Both floaties and swim vests can help provide buoyancy and support in the water, but there are some key differences to keep in mind.
Swim vests tend to be more comfortable and stable than floaties since they are not as likely to slip off or fall off. They also provide more coverage and support, making them ideal for more active swimming.
Floaties, on the other hand, are often more affordable and can be a good option for younger children who are just starting to learn to swim.
Life Jackets Vs. Swim Vests
Life jackets are typically bulkier and can be more difficult for children to move around in. Swim vests, on the other hand, are more form-fitting and allow children more mobility. So, which is the better option?
In addition, life jackets are designed to keep your toddler afloat and their head above water, providing valuable time until help arrives, even if they can’t swim (2). However, not all swimwear can serve this purpose, and it’s important to note that only Coast Guard approved items can be used as a life jackets (3). While many swim vests have been approved by the Coast Guard, it’s not mandatory for all.
Are Swim Vests Good For Toddlers?
Yes, swim vests can be good for toddlers. They can help provide extra buoyancy and support in the water, which can be helpful for little ones who are still learning to swim. It’s important to choose a vest that is the right size and fit for your toddler, though, so that it doesn’t hamper their movement or become a nuisance.
Will A Swim Vest Help My Toddler Learn How To Swim?
While wearing a swim vest while training your child to swim might be beneficial, it is not a guarantee that they will learn. Make sure your child is comfortable wearing the vest because some kids could find it constricting or unpleasant. Even if your child is wearing a swim vest, you should still always keep an eye on them because, if you are not paying attention to them, they might still drown.
Should A Swim Vest Be Worn Over A Swimsuit?
Swim vests are often worn over swimsuits. This is so that the swimsuit can stay in place while also adding an additional layer of weather protection provided by the vest. Some folks, however, like wearing their swim vest under their swimwear. In addition to preventing the vest from bunching up under the swimsuit, this can assist in protecting it from becoming wet.
