Milkweed and Messes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links. See disclaimer for more information.

Best Swim Vest for Toddlers

It’s really difficult to find good options of swim vests for toddlers. Too many ride up on the shoulders, either chafing skin or affecting breathing. Others have a strap that goes between the legs and causes chafing there. If you’re looking specifically for a swimming aid, there are really only a few options, but they are excellent. The two best options I could find are USCG approved. Neither are life jackets.

All options listed are for children who do have some swimming skills and will be able to keep themselves upright in the water.

Stearns Original Puddle Jumper Kids Life Jacket Swim Vest for Children

This is hands down my favorite swim vest for toddlers. First, Stearns Original Puddle Jumper Life jackets are approved by the US Coast Guard for use as Type V/III personal flotation devices, which is pretty cool. The shell is nylon and durable. In fact, none of ours ever had any issues before my children outgrew them by weight. Children can use these between 30 lbs – 50 lbs. Never use them if your child hasn’t reached the minimum weight and do not continue to use them when your child is over the maximum weight.

The Stearns Puddle Jumpers are an awesome design. They buckle in the back, so if the vest is properly tightened, children can’t remove them on their own. Additionally, there are several colors and designs to choose from.

I highly recommend Stearns brand as your go-to kids’ water vest!

Body Glove Paddle Pal

This style of vest may work better for your child. It also cannot be removed by your child without help and the vest can’t slide off accidentally. It’s a US Coast Guard approved Type III Child’s PFD for recreational boating. Like above, it’s designated for use between 30 lbs and 50 lbs and is best for children who have some swimming ability (ability to stay upright).

The only problem is that this style might run a bit on the small side, so this might be better for kids who are on the small side for their age.

Other flotation options for toddlers and kids

Speedo Kids’ Begin to Swim Vinyl Basic Arm Bands

While these are definitely for kids who are quite comfortable in the water, they are great in a pinch and easy to pack for traveling. I bought them for a trip to the USA to visit family at Christmas time and I knew that space would be at a premium. I specifically purchased the Speedo brand because Speedo is known for water products. Also, these are covered and I hoped to prevent chafing, since we’d be swimming indoors and didn’t need to have a rash guard.

At the time of use, my children were ages 4 and 5, with some swimming experience while still not ready to swim in water over their heads. They kept them upright, though it took some doing to figure out how to get them to stay on. The manufacturer says these can be used from ages 2-12 and up to 110 lbs. It’s a pretty good range, but I don’t know how well they’d stay on a two year old, from personal experience with my older kids. Overall, they functioned as expected and didn’t chafe my children’s skin.

Overton’s Child Nylon Vest

Overton’s Child Nylon Vest is a flotation vest that’s approved by the US Coast Guard type III. It’s for children 33 lbs to 55 lbs, with a 20″ to 25″ chest size. These vest work well as intended and while under supervision.

A quick note about type III: they are more comfortable to wear than types I and II, but they are NOT designed to turn an unconscious wearer face up. As you should never leave a child unattended around water, these are best for quick rescues and kids who can keep themselves upright.

Overton’s has a lot of options of USCG approved items – they are worth a look!

Final Thoughts

If you have a toddler who is learning to swim and be comfortable in the water, a flotation assisting device is helpful. As accidents can happen so quickly around water, it’s best to use these devices always within an adults presence, preferably within a short distance.

While none of these devices will teach your child how to swim, using them properly can help children become comfortable around water. They can help parents out by allowing a way to play with your child in the water, while letting your child be a bit more mobile. I loved  our puddle jumpers for that reason. My kids wanted to be mobile and the puddle jumper allowed that for them.

What’s your favorite toddler swim vest? The best feedback comes from parents like you. Please leave a comment with your thoughts and suggestions. Thank you!