/ swimmer gift guide

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Young Swimmers (by Age & Skill Level)

Year-Round Ideas for Birthdays, Holidays, and Milestones

Wondering what to pick out as a gift for the young swimmer in your life? Choosing swim-related gifts can add fun to water exploration and encourage safe swimming practices. No matter the age, skill level, or occasion, Big Blue Swim School can help you find a great gift for your swimmer.

Use the handy guide below for some of the best swimmer gift ideas! Explore options for swim toys, gear, and tech to help you find the perfect swimmer gifts just in time for their next birthday, holiday, swim skill mastery, or end-of-school-year treat!

Gifts for Toddlers & Preschool Swimmers (Ages 1–4)

Did you know the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children begin learning how to swim by no later than age four? For infant, toddler, and preschool swimmers, becoming comfortable and safe around all water sources is a priority. Choose swimmer gifts that encourage fun, safety, and familiarity with water.

Swimwear & Accessories

Who wouldn’t want to receive a swimsuit or towel with a cool design or their favorite character on it? By offering your child something they can wear that features a special interest of theirs, you’ll make them feel that much more excited about getting ready for swim lessons and drying off afterwards!

Look for swimwear and accessories that are both cute and practical. As you shop, try to follow the recommendations from water safety experts, such as Alive-Solutions. Avoid suits with extra embellishments or complicated straps and accessories.

If you have a baby or toddler, choosing a couple of swim diapers will also help them feel comfortable during swim lessons and help prevent major accidents in the pool.

Choose:

  • Brightly colored, UV-protective suits
  • Cute rash guards
  • Swim diapers and diaper covers

Beginner Swim Gear

You can add a pair of goggles or a fun swim cap so your child will feel comfortable practicing swimming and holding their breath underwater.

Flotation gear is also an area to look at closely. There are many great options that can add to the fun of water time, but it’s also important to choose a life vest approved by the US Coast Guard.

Helpful swim gear includes:

You can find most of these swimming gifts in our pro shop at your local Big Blue for convenient shopping!

Swim Toys

To help your child develop into a strong, confident swimmer, bath toys can be a fantastic option for practice time outside of the pool. We often incorporate fun and educational swim toys into our swim lessons, so your child will love showing off some of the skills they learned at home.

Look for:

  • Floating animals
  • Stacking cups for filling and pouring
  • Interactive bath toys

We love these silicone toys because they are the ideal size for little hands and are dishwasher safe, helping prevent mold and bacteria growth and keeping your kiddo healthy.

Books About Swimming

Books centered around swimming don’t have to be boring! If you have a baby, get a head start on tactile learning with this creative bath book, which includes a vibrant collection of ocean creatures. If your child is a little older and feels apprehensive about swim lessons, help them learn not to give up with this inspiring and colorful children’s book.

No gift set is complete without a relaxing coloring book, though! Enhance your child’s creativity and encourage their love for water with this paperback edition, featuring swimming pools, waterslides, and lazy river mazes.

The great thing about books is their adaptability as your child grows. There are book options for every age that will help encourage their love of swimming.

Toddlers enjoy:

  • Board books introducing water safety or pool time
  • Sensory and interactive books with different textures, lift flaps, and sounds
  • Picture books
  • Coloring books

Swim-Themed Toys

Even when children are out of the water, you can encourage water safety and fun with swim-themed toys.

Choose items like:

  • Stuffed animals in swim gear
  • Toy pools for their dolls and action figures
  • Magnetic fishing games and water-themed mazes
  • Water tables

Gifts for Early Elementary Swimmers (Ages 5–7)

This is a particularly fun age for young swimmers—their skills are expanding, and their growing water confidence enables them to safely explore their environment in various ways. Celebrate a skill-level advancement, a trip to the water park, or any other special occasion with a swimmer gift that helps build their confidence and love of the water.

Fun Goggles

No matter your age, eye irritation is no fun. As your child becomes more accustomed to the water and getting their face wet, it’s great to consider fun, comfortable, and unique goggles.

You can readily find:

  • Animal shapes
  • Favorite characters and colors
  • Anti-fog lenses

Swim Bags

Swim bags can be an exciting gift, too—and they’re not just for parents! Water-resistant, easy-to-clean bags are pool-friendly and perfect for your child to pack full of all their swim essentials. Many swim bags, like this convenient pouch or durable tote, can store more than just swim gear and post-lesson comfy clothes. Grab them for family trips to sports practices or games, the beach, parties, or playdates!

Look for options like:

  • Personalization
  • Popular themes
  • Drawstring bags or child-size backpacks

Towels & Robes

Hooded towels and robes featuring their favorite animals, books, or TV characters are also a fun idea. You can also choose from water-themed designs like fish, sharks, dolphins, turtles, or mermaids. Look for plush and warm options to increase both the fun and practicality!

Reusable Water Bottles

Unique water bottles aren’t just for adults! Like swimwear, a fun water bottle can help your child look forward to lessons and encourage them to stay hydrated.

Reusable, leak-proof water bottles are a great choice to throw in your family’s swim bag and place in the dishwasher once you return home. You can even stuff them with flavored electrolyte drink powders to add to the fun. Plus, there are countless patterns and character options!

Interactive Water Toys

Encourage skill development and exercise with toys designed for pool time:

  • Dive rings or sticks (you can even try glow sticks!)
  • Torpedoes
  • Catch-and-release toys
  • Balls and floating hoops
  • Pool noodles

Gifts for Intermediate Swimmers (Ages 8–11)

An intermediate swimmer is working on gaining water independence and perfecting their swim skills and techniques. They may be working toward specific goals or just enjoying the unique experiences that come with time in the water.

Swim Gear

Expand the fun and build new skills with additional swim gear:

  • Quick-dry, fade-resistant swimsuits
  • Kickboards
  • Swim fins and fin socks
  • Training snorkels
  • Waterproof watches or lap counters
  • Customized swim caps
  • Swimmer’s shampoo and conditioner

Swimmer Journals

Swim journals are great for young swimmers with goals and aspirations. They’re an especially good gift for a competitive swimmer. If your swimmer is focused on improving their skills and reaching for greater heights in and out of the water, choose a gift that encourages tracking their goals, lessons, and milestones with plenty of space for entries and fun pens and stickers!

Swim-Themed Apparel

Provide your youngster with comfortable and attractive aquatic-themed apparel and accessories so that they can take their love of the water with them on every adventure.

Shop for items like:

  • Graphic tees
  • Hoodies
  • PJs
  • Flip-flops and water shoes
  • Ball caps and sun hats
  • Earrings and hair accessories
  • Backpacks and purses

Gifts for Preteens & Teens (Ages 12+)

The preteen and teen years are all about self-expression, honing talents, and finding their community. Support their growth as an individual with swimmer gifts for the more advanced water lover.

High-Quality Swim Goggles

High-quality swim goggles are a gift competitive swimmers love. Size and fit matter; you also want to ensure they have anti-fog lenses designed for racing or your swimmer’s favorite water activity, such as water polo.

Tech Gifts

You can’t go wrong with indulging your teenager’s love of tech.

Great choices include:

  • Waterproof headphones and speakers
  • Smartwatches with swim trackers
  • Smart/augmented reality swim goggles
  • Stopwatches and timers
  • Waterproof phone cases
  • Theragun or muscle massager

Hydration Gear

Swimmers may forget to hydrate as often as they should, so go for an insulated, reusable bottle in a favorite style or personalized with a motivational message.

Swim Team Apparel

Support your swimmer’s hopes and dreams with branded towels, caps, swim parkas, wet suits, and more.

Decor

Let your swimmer decorate their space with the things that inspire them.

Consider:

  • Shadow and medal boxes
  • Trophy shelf
  • Posters and wall art
  • Bedding

Books

Books are a universal choice for swimmers of all ages. For this age range, you’ll be able to find books on almost any swimming topic, including:

Gifts That Keep on Giving

If you want a gift that keeps on giving, keep their love of swimming alive with these options.

Big Blue Swim School Gift Cards

Inspire BIG moments with a Big Blue Swim School gift card! If your child has been wanting to try swim lessons, or you know a family thinking about signing up, help them dip a toe in the water by giving them a gift card for any pool location of their choice.

Family Pool Memberships or Water Park Passes

We love experiences, like family-friendly water parks, too! Most water parks offer gift certificates, which can make an excellent gift. Make sure you read our water park safety guide so your entire family can feel prepared as you embark on your adventures!

Swim Subscription Boxes

Did you know you can have specialized swimmer gift boxes and subscriptions delivered to your swimmer?

Options include:

And so much more!

How to Choose the Right Gift for Your Swimmer

Are you ready to find the perfect gift for your swimmer? Keep their age, swimming skill level, and personality in mind, then let your imagination help you find a gift that balances fun and functionality for a positive experience in and out of the water.

Treat Your Swimmer to the Perfect Gift

No matter the occasion, there’s a perfect swim gift out there. Add this guide to your favorites and share it with family and friends for creative and practical ideas on how to treat your swimmer to the perfect gift!

Still not sure? Talk to your Big Blue Swim School instructor for personalized swimmer gift ideas. And if you haven’t signed your child up for swimming lessons yet, book a free trial today!