Sensory-friendly swimming gear for kids
Swimming is the ultimate summertime activity and we all want our families to enjoy the water to beat the heat! But if you have hesitant swimmers or a kiddo with sensory sensitivities, then finding tools to help with their comfort and confidence can help make swimming safer, more relaxing, and fun for everyone!
Swimming is good for the body and mind, and according to the CDC, swimming can improve overall mood, reduce anxiety, and help combat depression. But children with sensory sensitivities related to processing disorders, autism, and Asperger Syndrome may have some aversions to swimming, being splashed, or putting their face in water. But many of these hesitations can be improved or eliminated with the right tools.
We’ve gotten some tips from my son’s pediatrician, his occupational therapists, and other resources to assist with some of his sensory processing difficulties. But luckily, he loves the water and so we’ve just had to made little tweaks for him and his little brother. So now I’m sharing some of our wins with you!
Intentional choices in swimsuits, goggles, towels, toys, and even swimming locations and instruction can help. A calm and relaxed swimmer is an alert swimmer and these tools can not only make for a positive experience but also promote water safety so your child can focus on swimming and instead of distractions. Check out these ideas for sensory-friendly summertime fun!
Swim suits
The right swimsuit can make all the different in a comfortable, happy swimmer. There are a few ways to make that process easier:
- Look for tag-free swimsuits or remove tags completely.
- Large floppy or stiff-brimmed hats can help with bright sunshine.
- A tight-fitting rash guard may make a child feel more secure in the water while protecting them from the sun.
- For girls’ suits, look for bottoms with legs holes that provide full coverage without riding up.
- For boys suits, tighter-fitting is better. Swimsuits get looser in the water and over the course of the swim season, so buy small instead of leaving room for growth. And make sure it has working string fasteners.
- Swim shoes or water sandals can protect against rough pool surfaces, creek beds, rough decks, or the transition in and out of an inflatable pool.
Swim goggles
Goggles can be super helpful for kids who don’t like being splashed or are resistant to putting their eyes in the water, but many are uncomfortable and cheaply made. In fact, we tried several different styles and colors and my son was resistant to them all for two years! But true story, when we tried Frogglez swim goggles, he instantly loved them, was willing to put his face in water, and became more confident in the pool. He didn’t want to take them off and even wanted to wear them to bed at night!
His favorite part is the soft neoprene strap that doesn’t pull hair or pinch at skin, but keeps them securely in place. The polycarbonate lenses have soft, silicone eye gaskets that are comfy and create a watertight seal that keeps water and pool chemicals out of his sensitive eyes. And I love that they have 100% UV protection and are latex- and PVC-free!
Here are some must-haves when shopping for goggles:
- Look for soft straps that won’t pull hair.
- Silicone eye gaskets don’t hurt or leave deep marks.
- Use non-toxic goggles that are PVC and latex-free.
- Purchase the correct size for right now, not to grow into.
- Make sure the lenses provide UV protection and are made from polycarbonate (they don’t fog up).
Towels
The drying-off process can be challenging with some kiddos but I’ve found a few options that make it easier.
- Child-sized towels with hoods can be super helpful, especially if you can find one with a character or animal they love.
- Beach or hooded towels specifically made for kids or babies are often softer, so having towels just for them really can help.
- Toweling shirts, dresses, or shorts can be great if they don’t like being dried off by you or can’t stay still long enough.
- Make it a race to see how fast you can dry them off or try singing a silly song about drying off—a little creativity can distract from their resistance!
Toys
Don’t forget that sometimes fun and familiar toys can be all it takes to encourage your hesitant swimmer to play and enjoy the water!
- Simple pouring toys and squirting toys can be fun.
- Look for toys you can actively play with together, such as beach ball or floating ring toss to get them moving.
- Look for toys with characters or animals that they love or that can distract them and get them playing without stress or fear. And check out my list of some of the best non-toxic summer water and sand toys!!
- For sprinklers, look for options that leave space for them to be near the spraying water without it going directly on them.
Sun protection
Many kids hate the process of putting on sunscreen, but there are ways to make this less of a challenge.
- If sunscreen is a battle, try using sunscreen sticks on the face and look for long-sleeve rash guards and even full-body swimsuits for toddlers and babies.
- Try to move their play into the shade as much as possible.
- Sing a song or make sunscreen application a game. With a couple small distractions, the process can go much more smoothly!
And don’t forget to only use non-toxic sunscreen for the whole family. Learn more in my safe sunscreen guide!
Swimming options
Some kids get overwhelmed by one water option (such as a large, deep, crowded pool) or type of swim instructions so it’s important to keep an open-mind, try to provide options, and even consider specialized options if needed.
- If going to a public swimming pool, look for one that has options of water depths and features, such as a kiddie pool in addition to the adult pool or a gradual “beach entrance” that allows them to find a depth that feels comfortable to them.
- Inflatable pools with multiple sections can allow them to play in a really shallow area and work up to deeper water.
- Set up multiple water options in your backyard to allow them to experiment with different ways to play with water and become more comfortable.
- For children sensitive to loud noises and the chaos of public pools, even small pools at home or natural creek beds might be the perfect way to get them excited about water play this summer.
- If your child is struggling with water anxiety, sensory challenges, motor delays, or has other unique needs, there’s a program called Swim Angelfish that provides adaptive swim certifications to instructors across the country to better assist children with these challenges and you can check to see if instructors are available near you.
Sometimes simple adjustments like these have made a huge difference in improving water hesitations for both of my boys. I hope they can make a difference for you, too!
Have you used any tools to encourage relaxed and confident swimming and water play in your family? We’d love to know!
When it comes to health and wellness topics, please note that I am sharing information from a place of personal experience and research. I am not a medical professional, and as such, nothing that I write is a substitution for medical advice. Please visit my disclosures for more information. <3
