Here are ten essential swimming items to pack to ensure an enjoyable and successful time at the pool with kids.
In one of our shorts videos on YouTube I showed my daughter’s swimming bags. She had three bags with her swimming essentials. She had three because she went to a swim meet.
No one knows how many towels or swimsuits will she need so she tends to overpack. She triples or doubles the number of towels, swimsuits, goggles and snacks but as long as she can carry them it is fine with me. These days she packs her bag for swim training or fun sessions.
I still check if she has all the things she would need especially in the winter.
There are essential items to pack in a swimming bag whether a child is going for a fun swim, swimming lesson or a swim meet.
Swimming bag – A bag that will fit all the child’s essentials is a must. An extra bag to keep wet items would be
Swimsuit – No matter the age of a child a swimsuit is to be packed. If a child is going to a swim meet, a swimsuit for warm up and racing suit if suitable needs to be packed.
Goggles – A pair or two of well-fitting goggles are essential. They keep the chlorine out of the child’s eyes and encourage to pick up swim techniques or concentrate on swimming.
Swimming hat – Hats or caps help keep the child’s hair out of the face and eyes.
Towel – A towel to keep water after swim, to dry off and keep the puddles to prevent slipping.
Water bottle – Bring water in a bottle to stay hydrated. Even though the child will be in water and swimming, it is a form of exercise where the child will still needs to rehydrate.
Key lock – Keep valuable items like wallet, phones in a dry place or a locker. These days swimming pools would issue a band to lock lockers or change to lock them. Bring along change or check at the centre for locker room key.
Shoes or flip-flops – Footwear to slip into from the locker room to the poolside will help to prevent slipping as well as for hygiene reasons.
Shower essentials – Chlorine leaves the skin dry and a shower after a swim would help ease the dryness. Bring a bottle or shampoo, conditioner, soap, moisturiser and a hair brush or comb.
Snacks – Although snacks are not allowed in the changing rooms and swimming pool area, pack a bag of snack to munch on after a swim. Have it at the reception area because the child or children will certainly be hungry after their swim.
Here are items a child might need for a swim training:
Apart from the items listed above these are things that a child might need in the swimming bag when going for a training session.
Snorkel
Flippers
Kickboard
Pull bouy
Here are items you might want to pack for when you go outdoor swimming:
Sunscreen or suncream
Hats or umbrella
Bucket and spade
You may also want to pack these items for swimming
Hair ties for long hair
Change of clothes – dry clothes to change into
Swimming nappies for younger ones
What do you usually pack in your child’s swimming bag for lessons or fun sessions?
What did I miss on my list?
Moms and dads are busy with work, housework and it is a big help to have a list of things or items to pack in a swimming bag for when a child or childreb have lessons.
You might want to browse through time management tips for parents when you have a free time.
Why not try some easy Filipino recipes for a dinner idea while you wait for your child to finish swimming lessons?
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