Safe and comfortable in the water, with both arms free to move. Our swim vest 3 years comes in two sizes: 2 to 3 years for 15 to 19 kg, and 3 to 6 years for 19 to 30 kg.
Is your child 3 years old and ready to explore the water? Then our swim vest 3 years is the perfect choice. At this age you can choose between two sizes: the 2 to 3 years vest, which covers 15 to 19 kg, and the 3 to 6 years vest, which covers 19 to 30 kg. That means the vest always fits your child properly, and the larger size can grow with them all the way up to the age of 6. The foam spreads the buoyancy across the chest and back, so your child stays in a stable position in the water while their arms remain completely free to paddle, reach and practise. Looking for a different size? Explore our swim vests for every age:
Three is the age where the two sizes overlap, so weight is what decides. Age is a helpful guideline, but every child grows at their own pace. Under 19 kg, the 2 to 3 years vest is the better fit. From 19 kg, go for the 3 to 6 years vest, which then lasts until your child reaches 30 kg. If your three-year-old sits right around 19 kg, the larger size is usually the smarter buy, because you get years of use out of it instead of months. Body shape counts as well: at the same weight, a child with a slimmer build may need a different size than a child with a broader build. Prefer a different kind of support? Our arm bands are worn around the upper arms and are available from 15 to 30 kg for approximately 2 to 6 years. Our Swim Jumpers combine arm bands with a chest piece and cover the same 15 to 30 kg range.
How the swim vest should fit
A good swim vest sits snugly without restricting your child. It should never feel tight, but it also should not be so loose that it rides up the moment your child gets into the water. That last point matters at this age, because a three-year-old who is between sizes will often end up in a vest that is slightly too big. Close the safety zip fully, fasten the safety strap between the legs, and check the fit before every water adventure. Do remember that a swim vest offers extra support but is not a life jacket. It never replaces swimming skills or adult supervision, so stay close and within arm's reach of your child.
Get your swim vest 3 years at Swim Essentials
Our swim vest 3 years comes in colourful prints and trendy designs, so there is always one that suits your child. Go for the red and white crabby, the red and blue catch of the day, the orange seastar or the multicolour summer fruits. Do you prefer flowers? The yellow flower market, the green florish, the red and white daisy flower and the orange and purple flower are lovely choices. For something bolder there is the orange and green vivid clash, the lila leopard and the multicolour abstract, and for a calmer look the brown and white softlines. Besides the design, we pay close attention to safety and comfort: the foam construction, the secure zip and the strap between the legs keep the vest in place while your child plays and practises.
Three-year-olds are often right between two sizes, so check your child's weight. Up to 19 kg, choose the 2-3 years swim vest (15-19 kg). From 19 kg, the 3-6 years size (19-30 kg) fits better. The vest should fit snugly with the straps closed and should not ride up over the chin in the water.
How long does the swim vest 3-6 years last?
The swim vest 3-6 years fits from 19 up to 30 kg, our largest size. A 3-year-old who starts in this size can keep wearing it until they reach 30 kg, as long as it fits snugly and does not ride up. Close the safety zip fully, fasten the strap between the legs and stay within arm's reach.
What size swim vest does my child need?
Choose by weight first, as age is only a guideline. Swim Essentials swim vests come in three sizes: 1-2 years (11-15 kg), 2-3 years (15-19 kg) and 3-6 years (19-30 kg). Body shape also plays a role. The vest should fit snugly and should not ride up over the chin when your child is in the water.
From what age can a child wear a swim vest?
Swim Essentials swim vests start at the 1-2 years size, for children weighing 11 to 15 kg. For younger babies, a baby float with a built-in seat is the usual choice. Whatever you choose, an adult should always stay within arm's reach, because a swim vest supports your child but does not replace supervision.
Is there a difference between a swim vest and a life vest?
Yes. A swim vest is a swimming aid: it helps your child float and move in the pool or at the beach, under supervision. A life vest or life jacket is a rescue device for boating and open water, usually with a collar that keeps the head above water. Swim Essentials swim vests are swimming aids, not life jackets.
Does a swim vest keep a child afloat?
A swim vest gives extra buoyancy: the foam helps keep your child's upper body at the surface while they kick and paddle. It does not guarantee that your child's face stays above the water, and it is no substitute for swimming skills. Your child still needs to move actively in the water, with an adult close by at all times.
Can my child learn to swim with a swim vest?
A swim vest can help your child practise their first strokes and gain confidence, because the arms stay free. Real swimming skills, however, are learned in swimming lessons. See the vest as support while playing and practising in the water, not as a way to learn to swim on its own.
Is a swim vest safe for children?
A swim vest helps your child float and gives support with the first swimming strokes, but it is not a life jacket and never replaces supervision. Our swim vest is made of foam, so it cannot deflate. It closes with a safety zip and a safety strap between the legs, so it does not ride up. Always stay within arm's reach of your child.
How many newtons should a child's swim vest have?
A newton rating mainly applies to life jackets and buoyancy aids for open water, such as when boating. For a swim vest your child plays in at the pool, you look at the weight class instead: it makes sure the buoyancy matches your child. Our swim vests come in 11 to 15 kg, 15 to 19 kg and 19 to 30 kg. For boating, choose a life jacket.
How do you put a swim vest on correctly?
Put the vest on, close the safety zip fully and fasten the safety strap between the legs. A good fit is snug while your child can still move and play freely. The vest should never feel too tight, but it should not be so loose that it rides up when your child gets into the water. Check the fit before every water adventure and always stay within arm's reach.