Outdoor swimming kit for kids

RED Kids Dry Poncho

£69.95

They say: From camping trips to post-swim dips, Red’s very first over-the-head poncho collection has been built to withstand all weathers. Say goodbye to changing niggles with our oh-so-cosy kids poncho, complete with a zipped neck to allow for fuss-free removal that your child can easily manage on their own.

We say: Keeping kids warm, safe and comfortable after they’ve been in cold water is a big priority. So we loved this roomy poncho, with its over-the-head design and quarter-length zip at the neck, which made changing (almost) fuss free. Once out of wet kit, the poncho doubles as a cosy coat, which our young tester didn’t want to take off. It’s long and oversized, and with adjustable sleeves it should last for years. We also liked the large micro-fleece lined pocket on the front for warming up cold hands and the reflective panels for being seen.

KEEN Seacamp II

£55

They say: Our light, flexible, water-friendly sandal helps kids explore their world – especially this collab with our Swiss friends at namuk who share our mission to get more kids out into nature. Featuring a contoured fit for a comfortably snug fit; quick-cinch bungee lacing with adjustable hook-and-loop strap for and easy on and off; shock-absorbing foam insole with arch support and an engineered rubber outsole that’s light, flexible and durable.

We say: We tested these robust water-friendly sandals in Cornish tidal pools where little feet could have easily been stubbed on rocks. They were easy to put on and adjust, with a quick-cinch bungee lace and Velcro strap, which ensured they felt secure; they didn’t rub even when wet. But the most impressive part was the rugged sole, which was grippy and durable, with decent toe protection, while still being lightweight. A shock-absorbing insole felt “bouncy” and gave our young tester new confidence when scrambling around. They’re machine washable, too.

BLING2o Crystal Violet Glimmering Swim Goggles

£19.99

They say: These glimmering goggles will make a statement at the pool while keeping your eyes safe. You can customise the fit by quickly and easily adjusting the head strap. We also include three different sized nose pieces to ensure the best fit. This set has a back clip for easy adjusting and application. Our goggles are 100% silicone, latex-free, with a lens that offers maximum UV protection and an anti-fog coating. Comes with a hard carry case.

We say: Getting goggles to fit a young child learning to swim can be a real faff, and finding a pair that they not only feel excited about but can also put on and adjust themselves is a real win. With styles inspired by shark teeth, kitten ears and even glittery eyelashes, Bling2o goggles might seem gimmicky, but they’ve been thoughtfully designed with three nose piece sizes for a leak-proof fit and a back clip allowing the wearer to snap them closed.

BOARDIES Kids Citrus Stripe Shorts

£45

They say: Add some flavour into your kids style this season and zest up their wardrobe with our Citrus Stripe swim shorts. They’re made from super-soft, quick drying, recycled REPREVE® polyester and come in kids sizes. Each pair comes with a matching swim bag. Featuring 100% super soft quick dry fabric; a soft mesh lining; two side pockets and one back pocket; and a great fit that’s super comfortable and a great shape. Matching men’s shorts £58.

We say: A common complaint with boys is that netted inner on swim shorts are actually really uncomfortable, especially if you love to play in the sand! The soft mesh on these shorts were lovely and no complaints here. Our tester loved the matching bag and used it at the beach for treasures found and was useful to throw in when shorts wet. The lovely colours and designs are a bonus!

ORCA Vitalis Squad Hi-Vis Junior Openwater Wetsuit

£129

They say: The perfect wetsuit for the youngest family members. The bright orange colour allows for high visibility, so you can spot them at all times in the open water. The use of Yamamoto, with 2 to 2.5mm of thickness, provides greater freedom of movement, with the warmth they need to spend hours in the water.

We say: Our 12-year-old tester found the Vitalis Squad Hi-Vis Wetsuit really easy to put on; the material felt robust and premium. Once in the water, the fit was flexible allowing freedom of movement both when swimming and when taking on a water obstacle course. The buoyancy helped our tester’s stroke and made her feel markedly more confident in the water. The 2-2.5mm neoprene kept her warm even after an hour in 18-degree water. We particularly liked the fluorescent orange arms and legs, which kept our tester visible, while looking “really cool”.

KITBRIX Kids Poncho

£75

They say: Get changed, stay warm! The Kids Poncho is an oversized robe for changing clothes or wetsuits outdoors. The roomy design allows stress-free and easy changing. The KitBrix poncho is waterproof and windproof outer and the sherpa fleece-lined inner will keep you warm and dry in any climate! Created specifically for changing into/out of Sports kit, but also ideal for the beach, camping, dog walking and watching outdoor sporting events and festivals.

We say: This over-the-head poncho is fantastic for young swimmers and surfers. We loved the roomy no-zip design, which as well as making changing fuss-free, is so generously sized it will last our young tester for years to come. We tested it after a swim on a blustery Cornish beach and it was super warm and kept the wind out. Much like the adult KitBrix Poncho, it has a large front pocket to keep cold hands toasty with a hidden zipped pocket for valuables. It’s also easy to clean, by hand or in the machine, which is a welcome feature for kids’ kit. A really warm, inexpensive and functional robe that will work just as well for throwing on after a sports game as for changing on the beach.

BEACH BUOY 20L beachbuoy

£21.95

They say: Funky rainbow open water tow float with built-in dry bag. Featuring an unique rainbow design, tough lightweight construction made from top quality nylon with PVC coating and high frequency press seam tech. There are two air chambers with easy inflate valves, two easy grip rigid handles and a built-in safety whistle. Plus, a fully adjustable waist belt (25’’-46’’) and roomy integrated dry bag.

We say: The rainbow design was an instant hit. We wish we hadn’t made our kid-tester aware of the whistle to begin with, but it is an excellent safety feature, especially for kids. When young, tow floats are often used more for resting than anything else, and the Beacy Buoy worked well in this way. It was also great for visibility in the water and made a useful dry bag. It’s really robust, too. It has been dragged, jumped on, pushed under water, sat on, used as a pillow – and it’s still going strong!

ZONE3 Junior Aquahero Open Water Swimming Goggles

£15

They say: Based on our Attack Goggles, the kids Aquahero goggle is a super comfortable goggle designed with both pool and open water swimming in mind. The ultra-soft silicon gaskets in conjunction with the easy adjust silicon strap remove the age-old problem of sore red rings around the eyes after a swim. The anti-fog treated, blue tint lenses provide crystal clear vision so that kids can enjoy the same performance and comfort as adults.

We say: These have become a favourite with our tester. The soft silicon eye sockets are more comfortable than any other kids’ goggles we’ve tried. Our tester said the view was “really clear and like sunglasses underwater.” They didn’t leave heavy rings around the eyes despite wearing for several hours. No leaks or issues at all, probably one of the best kids goggles we have tried! They look super cool, too.

SEVENTY ONE The Invisible Face Sun Stick SPF50

£17.90

They say: At SeventyOne Percent, we are proud to offer you natural and environmentally friendly sunscreen products. We use natural ingredients such as karanja oil, shea butter and coconut oil to protect your skin against harmful UV rays. The Invisible Face Sun Stick SPF50 is high invisible sun protection for outdoor enthusiasts. It has an ocean-friendly eco formula developed and tested, is very resistant to water and perspiration and has an invisible and non-sticky texture.

We say: This handy sun stick is super easy to apply – especially on young children as you don’t need to rub it in – doesn’t feel sticky and is immediately transparent. It’s ideal for applying to sensitive areas such as the face, lips, shoulders and scars and is very water resistant. It also smells delicious and has a moisturising effect thanks to the mango butter, jojoba and mimosa wax. We liked its convenient size, which fits easily in a pocket.

ZOGGS Geo Spiral Infinity Back Swimsuit

£24

They say: The Infinity back’s high neckline and open back allows for a great movement as well as great coverage. This suit features our eco-friendly Ecolast™ fabrication. It’s made from recycled post consumer plastic bottles, is highly chlorine resistant and fits perfectly with four-way stretch.

We say: “Oh wow, I love the swirly pattern!” is the first thing our young tester said when she saw this swimsuit, just before her swimming lesson. The lesson focused on her backstroke and dolphin kick, and the high neckline and open back of the swimsuit provided her with great coverage and an unhindered swim. The suit stayed put with lots of jumping in and retained its shape. We appreciated the softness of the Econyl fabric. A quick-drying, high performance and stylish swimsuit that will get lots of use this summer.

SEASHELL Kids Seashell Changing Robe 3.0

£100

They say: The Seashell® Robe 3.0 is designed for convenience, allowing you to change in any setting while offering protection from harsh weather. It allows for repeated daily use without drying, ensuring continuous warmth and weather protection. Waterproof to 10,000mm and Eco friendly BIONIC-FINISH ECO® coating an impenetrable barrier against wind and water.

We say: Our young tester usually hates getting changed after an outdoor swim so she relished the opportunity to change in the warmth of the Seashell robe, which was roomy enough to get into her dry things while keeping her sheltered from the chilly breeze. She managed the zips and fastenings with ease, and loved the warmth of the fleece lining, especially in the pockets. Although insulating, the robe was also breathable so she could have a good run around afterwards. The seashell logo on the back is also beautiful!

KIDLY Seersucker Long Sleeve Swimsuit

£22

They say: Our KIDLY Label Seersucker Long Sleeve Swimsuit is made from a recycled fabric that’s soft, stretchy, breathable and quick-drying and gives them UPF 50+ protection, whether they’re playing in the garden or paddling in the sea. Cut with a high neck and cute frill detail, it has a long zip up the back, so it’s a breeze to get on or off.

We say: With a high neck and long sleeves, this seersucker swimsuit offers excellent sun protection (UPF50) so it’s ideal for a day at the beach or lido. A robust zip at the back makes changing simple, and it has a fold of material to make sure the zip doesn’t rub. We also loved the seersucker railroad stripe, which not only looks great but is a recycled material that’s breathable and quick to dry. As with many Kidly Label clothes, we appreciated the generous sizing, which should last despite growth spurts, and the exceptional quality for the price.

TOASTIE Swimwear Bundle

£60

They say: Our UV SPF 50+ swimwear is proudly carbon neutral, peach-soft, boldy eye catching for water safety and made from recycled plastics. Enjoy 30% OFF when you purchase any Swim Top and Swim Bottoms together. Made with butter soft polyester made using recycled plastics. Hand wash in cold water and line dry.

We say: We really rated this bold, unisex set comprising a long sleeve rash vest and shorts. It’s available as separates or as part of a bundle, so you can choose to match or mismatch the top and bottoms. We loved the colour combinations and buttery soft material. The high neck and long sleeves provide great sun protection, while the shorts give more coverage than other girls’ swimwear. Wearing separates is also so much more practical for long days at the beach. Our only slight niggles were the hand washing instructions and the snug sizing of the top; consider sizing up if your child is large for their age.