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Kids Swimwear Guide by Age: From Toddlers to Teens
From their first wobbly strokes in the pool to sunny beach adventures and energetic swim lessons, our kids swimwear guide is here to help you choose the right styles and sizes to keep your kids safe and comfortable through every stage of their swim journey. As children grow, so too do their activity levels and love for adventure - from playful toddlers learning to swim, to lively young kids and primary schoolers diving into pool games or weekend beach fun. Making sure you choose children's swimmers that fit well, feel comfortable, and provide the right protection is essential. This guide will cover the key swimwear needs for toddlers, young children, and primary school kids, so you can find the perfect pieces to keep them safe, happy, and ready for every water adventure.
Why does swimwear choice matter at different ages?
Choosing the right swimwear ensures it supports your child’s needs at their current stage of development. As children grow, their swimwear should adapt to fit their changing size and activity level.
Toddlers require secure, easy-to-wear pieces that keep them safe and secure in the water and allow freedom of movement. As they grow older and gain confidence to splash about in the pool and enjoy adventures at the beach, choose swimwear that moves with them, and keeps up with active play without being restrictive. As they take their swimming skills outdoors, prioritize sun protection in your child's swimwear and swimsuits with extra coverage for long days spent in the sun. Choosing the right fit and style at each stage of your child’s growth helps them feel secure and comfortable in the water, so they can have the best swimming experience.
What swimwear is best for toddlers and babies? (Ages 1-3)
For toddlers and babies starting their swimming journey, a secure fit and high-quality swimwear is essential. Choose chlorine-resistant swimwear to keep up with regular pool time and ensure a secure fit that isn’t too tight that it restricts movement. Swimwear that’s too tight can restrict movement, making it harder for children to build essential swimming skills. For beach days, our swim nappies are perfect for keeping toddlers comfortable and confident as they splash and play. Designed to stay secure in the water, they let little ones move freely while helping prevent accidents.
While it can be tempting to size up so they can grow into their swimwear, choosing swimwear that fits your child properly at their current age, is important in minimising risks in the water, preventing swimwear from slipping or shifting.
What features should toddler swimwear include?
Look for swimwear made with soft fabrics and practical features like wide straps, zip fronts, and snug leg openings that can also ensure easy dressing and ensure swim nappies stay secure. Our range of Tini Togs zip-up sunsuits for toddlers aged 0-3 is perfect, with 4-way stretch and a UPF 50+ sun protection rating. Nylon-spandex and polyester swimwear are perfect choices, thanks to their quick-drying, stretchy, and comfortable qualities. For outdoor swims, look for one pieces or rash vests that stay in place, with a UPF protection rating that offers high coverage and protects your babies delicate skin from the harsh effects of the sun. Don’t forget to protect your baby’s face with a wide-brim bucket hat or soft swim hat for extra sun coverage during water play.
What swimwear works best for young children? (Ages 4-7)
Comfort and quality should always be a priority as children grow and develop. Between the ages of 4 and 7, most kids have gained independence with key swimming skills to stay safe and comfortable in the water. However, adult supervision is still essential at this stage. Our top tip is to choose bright-coloured swimwear - like neon orange, yellow, or pink- which can make it easier to spot your child during busy beach days or pool sessions. Look for styles that are easy to put on and take off, like Rip Curls zip up sunsuits that also provide secure coverage for active play in the pool or the beach. And of course, a secure fit is important to prevent wardrobe mishaps so they can focus on splashing about.
How should you choose swimwear for primary school-aged kids? (Ages 8-12)
As activity levels ramp up at this age, your child will need swimwear that is reliable and keeps up! With swimming becoming more frequent at this point in there life, choosing durable swimwear that will support your kids' active life in the water is important. A secure, streamlined fit is key for your child to get the best out of their time in the water. Swimsuits that sag, twist, or ride up are usually a sign that the fit isn’t quite right. If you’d like help finding the perfect size for your child, we offer a complimentary fitting service at all seven of our stores with one of our dedicated fit specialists.
What swimwear is suitable for swimming lessons and school use?
Look for quality, chlorine-resistant styles for school swimming programs, that can handle frequent use and keep their colour and shape wear after wear. For girls choose wider straps for a secure fit, and for boys, look out for snug waistbands that stay in place. We recommend one-piece swimsuits, jammers, or briefs from trusted performance brands such as Funky Trunks, Funkita, Speedo, and Zoogs, known for their durable, high-quality training swimwear to support them in the pool.
What swimwear is appropriate for teenagers? (Ages 13-16)
Swimwear for your teen should combine comfort, coverage, and personal style, giving your teenager the freedom to express themselves confidently at the pool or beach. Offering styles that feel age-appropriate while still being practical is key. Look for supportive fits and adjustable fit features like waist bands in boys' teenage swim briefs and boardshorts, adjustable straps for teenage girls' bikini tops, and one-piece swimsuits for girls. Our period swimwear collection, featuring trusted brands like Love Luna and Modibodi are perfect for teen girls, with on-trend styles and discreet protection, your teen can feel confident swimming during her period. Coverage levels for beach days or leisurely swims are ofcourse dependent on personal preference. We have a variety of different styles with different coverage levels to suit your teen, from crop style bikini tops to tankinis, one-pieces, and boardshorts for teenage girls to jammers, briefs, and boardshorts for teen boys! No matter what style they like best, the focus should remain on a secure fit that allows for movement without riding up, slipping or restricting activity.
Quality fabrics and chlorine-resistant swimwear for regular squad training and swimming carnivals are important to ensure swimwear quality maintains lap after lap. Ensure a secure fit for a streamlined fit in the water so your teen can glide through the water at record time for competition days and time trials!
How do you choose the right size in children's swimwear?
Swimwear sizing varies brand by brand, so we always recommend referring to the size chart of each brand before picking a size. Our top tips to finding the right fit is to measure your child's measurements against that of the size guide and ensure the swimsuit sits snug on the body without being restrictive. Swimwear should allow freedom of movement for swimming, jumping, and playing, while staying in place. Avoid pieces that are too loose, as they can slip or ride up in the water and can cause drag in the water, hindering performance during training and swim competitions. Adjustable features, like straps or drawstrings, are helpful for adjusting the fit to sit better. If your child falls between sizes, it’s usually better to size down slightly for a snug, safe fit.
What materials and features matter most in kid's swimwear?
The right fabric and construction is essential in ensuring comfort, durability and safety, aswell as ensuring longevity in your child's swimwear. Key features to look for include:
- Chlorine-resistant fabric - Made from 100% polyester, these swimsuits are built to last and resist the damaging effects of chlorine, keeping their shape and colour longer. When choosing swimwear for your teen’s pool sessions, always look for pieces crafted from chlorine-resistant materials for lasting performance.
- Stretch and flexibility - ensure unrestricted movement for swimming and play.
- Quick-drying fabrics - keeps kids comfortable after water activities, and perfect for after swim plays at the beach.
- UPF sun protection - protects delicate skin from harmful UV rays during outdoor play.
Frequently Asked Questions about kids swimwear
Can kids wear the same swimwear for the pool and beach?
Kids can wear their pool swimsuits at the beach, but they shouldn’t wear their beach swimsuits in the pool unless the fabric is chlorine-resistant. We recommend having separate swimsuits for each type of swim occasion. While pool-specific swimsuits can be worn at the beach, most are designed for performance rather than coverage or sun protection. For the beach, make sure your child wears swimwear with UPF protection and extra coverage, such as rash tops or sunsuits. For the pool, stick to chlorine-resistant styles rather than fashionable pieces, which are often made from fabrics that can lose their shape and fit. Frilly designs may look cute but can create drag in the water and hinder performance during swim training or school swim sessions.
How long should children's swimmers last?
The lifespan of children’s swimwear depends on their age, activity level, care, and the quality of the swimsuit. For toddlers, swimsuits typically last up to six months before they outgrow them. Primary school kids can often get up to a year of wear from high-quality swimsuits, while teens’ swimwear can last even longer - up to 18 months - especially if it’s mainly used for swim lessons and family holidays. To help extend the life of your child’s swimsuits, we recommend rotating between three suits if swimming is a regular part of their routine.
Are toddler swimsuits different in Australia?
Many parents may wonder what sets toddler swimsuits Australia apart from other regions. A major standing point is that Australian toddler swimsuits focus on sun protection with fabrics containing UPF, blocking the suns rays. Australian toddler sunsuits focus on sun protection with quality make, with a focus on chlorine-resistant fabrics so they can keep their shape and colour longer after use in commercial pools.