Keeping non swimmer kid safe at water parks

[BexyJames]

Hi

We are going on holiday soon and there is a water park near where we are going and we definitely want to go.
The adults and older child are good swimmers but we have a 6 year old who thinks she is but isn't.
Looking for advice on keeping her safe.
Obviously she'll always be with an adult (same as the other child) but I'm wondering what other parents have done with regard to flotation devices on holidays?
I expect the water park to very busy so lots of distractions and she's over confident so want an extra few seconds if she does something silly that we for some reason don't catch in time. (I'm a very paranoid mum when it comes to water)

Do parents tend to by arm bands or something else?
Or is there any other recommendations?

Altho she's 6, she's the size of a 9 of 10 year old so some small children things are to small.

Thx
Bex

I’d be far more inclined to invest on swimming lessons before you go.

https://amzn.eu/d/gUD4E3t

we use these - it’s showing as sold out but be able to get elsewhere

A course of intensive swimming lessons before you go would be the best option.

I'd take a buoyancy aid I don't like arm bands at all and a six year olds likely to find them babyish whereas a buoyancy aid will keep her head above water and be more grown up.

Armbands are no good they can pop off definitely a swim vest. Whe we've been to swim parks in the UK they have often had them avaible for children but you can't guarantee they will where you are going so I would get your own.

Teach them to role onto there back if the get in trouble. A swim safety course would be best before you go if you could find one.

I agree with swimming lessons and a flotation vest. Also, get bright swimmers (not blue) and a distinctive sun hat with a strap.

Just to add based on comments all ready.
She has weekly swimming lessons and we go swimming often.
She can get across the pool swimming at home but she can't breathe and swim yet and her treading water is not the best. She thinks she's the best swimmer but sometimes struggles in our very quiet pool at home. I know a water park is a whole different type of pool.

We have this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HeySplash-Toddler-Sleeves-Learn-Shoulder/dp/B09P57HPDM/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?crid=3OYA58P5NKVA3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.mObyt_TFs9BBIyRPk1CEQ1Gt_TLU6U0VaVaG0EzpGTiklduQa7iDaLTUdvZNTKchffl9SQAd0ffCgimbe8fruQVf5ikSRdIQ8EUW437pV49RQzyKyok-PphH_mNeu_pJX-ei7M5hqr9EAwy9ODD_jJs7u1yUDsW7A8BEZIs6gSIsDdflmJA5vceCE9Uic_2p4zla_wPbRPw2wqMipSxTjg.p3__Fhy47rznCgjnqeacJzfxptvesLPGOd9Bw8G8sPI&dib_tag=se&keywords=flotation+vest+kids+with+arm+bands&qid=1722785397&sprefix=flotation+vest+kids+with+arm+bands%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-13

Nothing can beat supervision.

give her a pool noodle and teach her her limitations, and how to float in her back without flotation aids.

aids can cause more harm than good, both in parental and child overconfidence. If the child thinks they can swim, they don’t realise they can’t without the aids, then they sink. they also can’t learn to manage their own buoyancy and the optimum floating position the water should the need to.

Brightest pink rash suit with full arms! I use this with one of my daughters as it makes her really easy to spot in the water and on land. Also reduces the amount of sun cream to put on them.

follow her around and have eyes in the back of your head.

I totally agree with this and at home this is what we do. But at a water park abroad I just want something extra to try and make sure she's safe.

Swimming costume colours makes a big difference in visibility if something does happen, fluorescent pink, orange or yellow are the best colours.

Every water we’ve been too (a few in a couple of different countries) has supplied good quality vests. We’ve always used these for our non swimmers.