Floaties in the Pool: What I Actually Use for My Kids in the Water (and What I Don’t)
- 16 hours ago
- 4 min read
After chatting with a parent at the pool recently, I realized I may not have fully answered her questions about flotation devices—so I wanted to share a more complete answer here.
As a mom of three girls (4-year-old twins and a 6-year-old), I’ve tried a lot of different options over the years. And honestly… what we use depends on the situation.
(Our many floatation and pool items definitely take up more garage space than I’d like… but oh well 🙂)
First things first:
👉 Supervision is always #1.
No matter what they’re wearing, nothing replaces being present and actively watching.
💛 When I’m IN the water (hands-on)
If I have another adult helping and I’m not outnumbered:
We often skip flotation so they can learn how their body moves in the water
I’ll use our British Swim School swim rings to practice skills while I’m right there supporting them
💛 When I’m close by (but giving a little independence)
Swim rings are still my go-to.
I’m actively watching, coaching, and ready to jump in (or already in). I love our swim rings because they give kids a sense of independence while still giving me peace of mind.
That said—when my kids were younger or less stable:
👉 They were always in some form of flotation (swim ring, life jacket, or floaties)
Fit matters:
Swim rings should sit snugly under the arms
I’m always watching their ability to stay upright
Before transitioning to swim rings, I also used a strap-style float (from Amazon) that worked really well for us.
👉 We do sell our BSS swim rings for $15—they’re a great snug fit, but still require supervision. I keep one in my car all summer!
🌊 It depends on the environment
What we use changes based on depth, setting, and how many adults are around.
3–4 ft pool / kiddie pool / lazy river:
Swim ring with straps → then transitioned to BSS swim ring
More freedom if it’s calm and not crowded
Wave pool:
✅ Life jacket
4 ft+ depth:
✅ Life jacket
OR floaties + life jacket depending on age and ability
💛 When they’re further away (10+ feet)
This is where I level up support:
Floaties → only in shallow, controlled environments (like splash pads or ~3 ft pools)
Life jackets → for deeper or less predictable water
For my youngest (who is just starting her water journey), I would absolutely keep her in a flotation device if I’m not within 10 feet—especially at places like the beach or a kiddie pool.
🚨 Real talk about floaties
Floaties can create a false sense of confidence.
May is Water Safety Month — and This One Is Personal
Last summer my family and I were at one of the first pool parties of the season. The kids were having a blast and it was time to wrap up and get our 3 kids out of the pool. I turned for just a second to grab a towel—and my adventurous 3-year-old, Nova, jumped right into the pool after I had taken off her floatie. She was that confident in herself.
I was right there and pulled her out immediately. But I will never forget the look in her eyes when she realized she couldn’t get to the surface.
It was a moment that will stick with me forever.
May is National Water Safety Month (also referred to as National Drowning Prevention Month), and as we head into summer we have to make the best decisions around water. So as far as floaties and puddle jumpers, yes, of course we use them, BUT not all the time.
Because floaties can also:
Be removed by kids (those buckles become a fun challenge for Toddlers!)
Make kids feel more capable than they actually are
So I always ask myself:
Can my child remove this on their own?
Am I actively supervising?
How close am I to them?
🚤 Boating / open water
👉 Always use a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket. No exceptions.
💡 My biggest advice
Flotation devices are tools—not safety guarantees.
They should support learning, not replace supervision.
One of the most alarming stats:👉 9 out of 10 drowning deaths occur when a caregiver is present but not actively supervising.
As moms, we carry a heavy mental load, most of us always worry about our kids, it's constant and exhausting—but this is one area I don’t ease up on.
(Honestly… it’s a big reason behind my career choice 💙)
💙 The goal
My goal isn’t to rely on flotation.
It’s to raise kids who can:
Survive
Roll onto their back and float
Call for help
Feel confident in the water
And if you’re already doing swim lessons—👉 you are doing exactly what you should be doing.
💙 Final thought
Different kids. Different stages. Same priority: water safety first.
Products I’ve used or recommend looking at:
British Swim School Swim Ring - Reach out for Shipping Options
U.S. Coast Guard–Approved Infant Life Jacket
Note: These are personal suggestions based on what has worked for my family. Always check fit, age/weight guidelines, and supervision requirements before using any flotation device. Let me know your thoughts on floaties and please share!
If you want more information or summer safety tips. Please check out this video where I share some additional information about staying safe near the water this summer.
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