10 Best swim floaties for toddlers
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With so much choice out there finding the best swim floaties for toddlers can be an up hill battle. However in this guide we have hand picked and reviewed the best swim floats and swimming aids for toddlers and babies, saving you the hard work.

As the mum of a small toddler and another one soon on the way it is important that they not only have fun when swimming but they are kept safe. Whether you are off on a nice sunny holiday or going to the local pool it is important to get them use to the water from an early age. To help inspire their confidence in the water we have put together the 10 best swim floaties for toddlers.
Getting toddlers into uncomfortable arm bands can be difficult so we have found some awesome alternative swim floats. In our list of best swim floaties for toddlers we cover everything from inflatable Flamingos, planes, floatation vests to floats with a sun canopy. The floats on this list will be sure to give your toddlers hours of fun and build their confidence in the water, with adult supervision of course!
Insider Tip: We reccommend the SwimWays Activity Center with Canopy Float, it's one of the best swim floaties for toddlers, comes with activity center, sun shade, extra toys and great value for money. The Basic Life Jacket is also a great addition for added safety.
10 best swim floaties for toddlers
We have done all the hard work for you and hand picked the 10 best swim floaties for toddlers. Simply click on the product for more information and to check prices below:
Product details | Image | |
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SwimWays Activity Center with Canopy
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Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy
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Little Skipper Baby Boat
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Pink Flamingo Ride-on float
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Sun Protection Float Suit
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Jumper Basic Life Jacket
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Speedo Kids' UPF 50+ Vest
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Toddlers Swimming ring
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Speedboat ring with sun shade
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Airplane swimming float
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Best swim floaties for toddlers Reviews
If you are struggling to find the best swim floaties for toddlers then we have everything you need right here. We have hand picked and reviewed our 10 best swim floats below:
Float Activity Center with Canopy
The SwimWays Activity Center Float is the perfect float for toddlers to build confidence and have fun in the water before learning to swim. This swim float has a removable two position canopy that offers UPF 50+ sun protection, and the mesh sides of the canopy ensures your toddler is visible at all times. This brightly coloured inflatable swim float has an activity center featuring a rotating octopus with each tentacle holding a wide selection of toys to play with. Don’t be worried about fitting it in your case, as it folds right down and has its own travel bag. Overall this is probably one of the best swim floaties for toddlers out there, check out the reviews on Amazon and see for yourself.
Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy
Introduce your toddler to the pool with the SwimWays Baby Spring Sun Canopy Float. Designed to be more comfortable and secure featuring safety valves, dual air chambers and a inner spring that gives your toddler greater stability in the water. This has all the same features as the above but without the activity play center, saving you some cash!
Little Skipper Baby Boat
The SwimSchool Little Skipper Baby Boat features a grow-with-me triple-layered, reinforced adjustable seat and backrest to support you ever growing toddler. You can easily inflate and deflate this float making it perfect for taking on holiday with you. It is bright, colourful and has a cool design kids will love.
Pink Flamingo Ride-on float
If you want to really stand out from the crowd then the Amxylife Ride-On Pink Flamingo swim float is for you. It is made from high quality durable plastic so it will last you longer and features a seat belt for your toddler so they don’t fall out. This swim float is perfect for taking on holiday and you are sure to get some amazing pictures for Instagram!
Sun Protection Float Suit
The Splash About Kids Sun Protection Float Suit has 16 removable floats for safety and learning to swim, it provides SPF 50+ sun protection for your toddler. It features extra cover around the neck, back, chest, legs and sleeves just above the elbows. Having a float suit is always a good addition to having a floating play center or ring, it provides added safety and also extra protection from the sun. This float suit comes in various cool designs and styles.
Jumper Basic Life Jacket
With over 2,900 reviews on Amazon, the Stearns Puddle Jumper Basic Life Jacket is US Coast Guard approved and made from durable nylon. This colourful, friendly life jacket has an adjustable buckle at the back and your toddler will have excellent stability in the water. Perfect float for toddlers learning to swim in the pool with parents. Great reviews and a great price, go check it out.
Speedo Kids’ UPF 50+ Vest
The Speedo Kids Classic Swim Vest provides UV50+ protection from the suns harmful UVA and UVB rays and is the ideal life rest for toddlers learning to swim. Its soft, durable neoprene construction offers warmth and buoyancy for a better swimming experience. It features a full front zipper and a safety strap with buckle. Overall a great simple but effective high quality life vest for kids.
Toddlers Swimming ring
The Waitiee Swimming Inflatable Ring is made of environmental PVC material and non-toxic ink printing equipped with a comfortable backrest for the ideal swimming posture. It comes with an adjustable strap for safety and the back end is weighted down to prevent overturning. The double decked air chamber design makes it easy to inflate and deflate, making it perfect for easy storage and taking to the pool or beach.
Speedboat ring with sun shade
What toddler wouldn’t want to ride around the pool in their very own speedboat, complete with a wheel, horn and sunshade roof! The Topist Speedboat Ring will provide hours of entertainment for your toddler in the pool while learning to swim. This swim float is made of durable leak-proof PVC material and Non-toxic ink printing and is easy to inflate and deflate. It comes with its own storage back is folds down easily, perfect for travelling. Kids will have endless fun with this swim float, again this is up there with the best swim floaties for toddlers and would be a great choice. You can read more information here.
Airplane swimming float
I think a lot of kids talk about being pilots when they are older, so the F-Sport Airplane Swimming Float would be a great choice for your toddlers swim float, especially if you are going on holiday! The steering wheel and horn will have them flying around the pool all day. The spacious airplane is made of PVC material and Non-toxic ink printing and is quick to inflate and deflate making this an awesome swim float to take on your holiday.
How to pick the best swim floaties for toddlers
When we booked out first holiday with our son, I read that children aged between 1 and 4 years old have the highest rates of drowning than any other age group. With that in mind here’s some handy tips on what to look for when picking the best swim floaties for toddlers below:
1. A cool design
When looking for the best swim floaties for toddlers its important to get something that will capture their imagination and grab their attention. Like the floating activity center or floats in the form of boats or planes.
2. Floating activity Center
Once your toddler is in the pool, keep them entertained with an activity center to play with in the float. The SwimWays Activity Float is a great choice and it comes complete with toys ensuring toddlers will have plenty of fun in the pool.
3. Sun Canopy
When looking for the best swim floaties for toddlers you might want to consider getting a float with a canopy to protect them from the sun while playing in the pool. Again the SwimWays Activity Float comes with a UPF 50+ canopy and mesh sides for see-through visibility.
4. Safety features
Always check the safety features of any swim float before buying. Look for things like, safety valves, back support, seat belts, if the float will hold the weight of your child and check what material its made from. Try to find floats that are made from PVC and non-toxic ink, we all know what kids are like trying to lick, bite and eat everything!
5. Easy folding / packing
When going on holiday with the kids, you often find the cases are overloaded anyway, so look for floats that are compact and easy to pack that don’t take up too much room or weight too much.
6. Easy to inflate and deflate
Look for swim floats that are easy to inflate and deflate, the last thing you want to do at the pool or beach is spend all your time huffing and puffing.
7. Backrest support
Look for swim floats that have a comfortable backrest support for your toddler. It needs to support them and be comfortable. The SwimSchool Little Skipper Baby Boat has a great back support
8. Added protection
You can never be too safe, if you get an Activity Play Center Float, you may want to consider getting them an additional floating aid in the form of arm bands or a vest. We would reccommend either Splash About Float Suit or a basic life jacket.
Overall: We reccommend the SwimWays Activity Center with Canopy Float, is one of the best swim floaties for toddlers, comes with activity center, sun shade, extra toys and great value for money. The Basic Life Jacket is also a great addition for added safety.
Thanks for reading our guide on the best swim floaties for toddlers, we hope this guide has helped you find your perfect swim float for your next holiday. Now you have peace of mind that your toddler will be an awesome time but most importantly will be safe in the water.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you,
we earn a small commission if you make a purchase.
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