What Swim Aids Do You Use For Your Kids?

[MumMumMummyMumMum]

Looking for recommendations for swim aids for an 8 year old? I have two younger kids and have the swim vests for them but I can't find anything for bigger kids. Also worried about him feeling embarrassed by armbands etc so if anyone has got anything that doesn't look to childish that would be good too.
Thanks!

My 6 year old never used armbands and just has a pool noodle to hang off. Obviously I watch her to make sure she doesn't let go, although she can swim after a fashion so would probably make it to the side.

I'd recommend a noodle as well, they're also good for enabling them to practice swimming if they aren't confident. My 8 year old still likes playing with theirs even though they don't need it as a floatation aid any more.

I agree a pool noodle is the answer.

Noodle and armbands for my preschoolers.

My 6 year old has a puddle jumper and it fits a child up to 30kg:

www.amazon.co.uk/Sevylor-swimming-training-inflatable-learning/dp/B019X3GDPU/ref=sr_1_6?crid=P2Y64D815FN&keywords=puddle+jumper&qid=1660126908&sprefix=puddle+jump%2Caps%2C397&sr=8-6

Agreeing with noodle, great when they are first learning, wrap it around them either front or back with the ends held under the arms. In swimming lessons they would tell them to just hook the ends under their arms so they had a window in front that they could use to practice blowing bubbles and immersing face while kicking from one end to the other of the pool.
Then when they got more confident they would tie the noodle into a knot and hold it at arms length like handlebars and pretend to be riding a motorbike down the pool.

Pool noodle.

Swimming lessons.

Ok we'll give the pool noodle a go! Thanks so much everyone!

Sharks fins are also good - you can get them from Amazon

I’m a swimming teacher in a pool that isn’t shallow enough for toddlers to not use flotation aids. Older children are embarrassed by armbands but they also freak out if they are out of their depth. I use a woggle (noodle for US readers) and armbands for really young kids, unless they’re competent, and only a woggle for everybody else - my older swimmers like them. I always use one for myself lessons if I think there’s a particular child who wants to appear grown up.

Noodle for messing around.

For the future …Swimming lessons are invaluable

The following are use with the age of the child: swim belts, weighted floats around the body, as they learn water confidence gradually are removed. This is less visible than the body vests.
Use in conjunction with floats, pool noodles, and other floating toys and aids.
I hope this helps.