2023 Big Blue Holiday Gift Guide for Young Swimmers
Still wondering what to pick out as a gift for the young swimmer in your life this holiday season? Do they love swimming or are you looking for ways to foster a love for swim lessons? If so, check out our handy guide to help you find the perfect gift for swimmers just in time!
Swim Gear
Who wouldn’t want to receive a swimsuit or towel with cool designs or their favorite character on it? By offering your child something they can wear that features a special interest of theirs, they will feel that much more excited about getting ready for swim lessons! You can even add a pair of goggles or a fun swim cap, so your child will feel comfortable practicing swimming and holding their breath underwater. If you have a baby or toddler, choosing a couple swim diapers will also help them feel comfortable during swim lessons and will aid in preventing major accidents in the pool.
Each of these swimming gifts can be found in our pro shop at your local Big Blue Swim School for convenient shopping!
Reusable Water Bottle
Unique water bottles aren’t just for adults! Like swimwear, a fun water bottle can help your child look forward to lessons as well as to encourage them to stay hydrated. These 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. Plus, there are countless pattern and TV character options!
Swim Bag
Speaking of swim bags, this gift can be exciting, too, and is 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!
Bath 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, yet educational swim toys into our program, so your child will love showing off at home some of the skills they learned during Big Blue swim lessons. We love these silicone toys, because they are the ideal size for little hands and are dishwasher safe to prevent mold, keeping your kiddo healthy.
Reading and Coloring Books
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 to not 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 harness their love for water with this paperback edition, featuring swimming pools, waterslides, and lazy river mazes.
Swimming
Inspire BIG moments this holiday season, 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 – perfect timing for upcoming vacations.
We love experiences, like family friendly water parks, too! Most water parks offer gift certificates that can easily be added as an excellent stocking stuffer. Make sure you read our water park safety guide, so your entire family can feel prepared as you embark on your post-holiday adventures!
Swim Lesson Essentials
Some of the most frequent questions we get are about what to pack for swim lessons. We get it! It can be overwhelming to a first-time swim lesson parent to think about the gear that your child might need and what you might forget.
We’ve rounded up our top recommendations. While there may be a few variations based on age – yes, we mean swim diapers for the youngest set! – we took all those common questions and paired it with advice from veteran parents on what they bring.
Swim Bag
A dedicated swim bag ensures everything you need for your weekly lesson is in one convenient spot. Many of our families like to use a wet/dry bag with a compartment ideal for wet suits. If your bag isn’t waterproof, grab a plastic bag from our changing area to hold wet swim suits and towels after the lesson.
Swimsuits
Choose a suit that fits snug and properly. It shouldn’t slide down on any part of your child’s body. To maximize use in all swim scenarios, we recommend a suit in bright and contrasting colors for increased safety in all swimming environments. Neon colors – orange, yellow and lime green – provided the most visibility in open water according to tests by ALIVE Solutions Inc.
Swim diapers
An absolute mandatory! Swim diapers are required for any child who is not yet potty trained. A pool has to close for as much as 24 hours if fecal matter spills into a pool. To prevent that, we require a snug fitting non-disposable swim diaper and/or rubber pants over a swim diaper every time a non-potty trained child is in the pool. Please note the double protection! Children will not be allowed in the pool without both. You can view our full swim diaper policy here. If you forget swim diapers, we have them for sale at the pro-shop. For post-swim, be sure to pack normal diapers and wipes.
Goggles
Our youngest swimmers may not be ready for goggles, and some elementary age swimmers can’t imagine getting in the pool without them! Goggles can encourage good technique, and we recommend them for kids ages 3+ when they reach our Bright Blue level. One tip is to ensure good fit, with goggles securely sealing around the swimmer’s eyes. If the goggles leave marks, they’re too tight.
Swim Cap (optional)
A swim cap can be especially useful for swimmers with longer hair to keep hair out of eyes and prevent tangles and post-swim brushing battles. Swim caps can also help keep goggles on. At Big Blue, swim caps are always optional but suggested for children whose hair covers their ears. If your child doesn’t want to wear a swim cap, that’s fine too!
Towel and a Change of Clothes
Drying off with a larger beach size towel or hooded towel can provide some extra cozy if there’s room in your bag. Each facility has individual changing rooms so your child can change in privacy before or after their lessons. If they come in a suit, be sure to pack a change of clothes for post-pool.
Post-Swim Snack and Water Bottle
While not an actual essential, most kids would agree that a snack is always a good idea. It can be especially useful after Big Blue swim lessons. Kids swim more during their lessons with us and will work up that appetite!
Shower Stuff
Every Big Blue has showers on the pool decks with soap dispensers. Prefer your own products? You can pack some travel size shampoos and body washes. A small container of detangler for hair and skin lotion are also great adds. Wet brushes, designed to be used on wet hair are popular for easier brushing.
Water-Friendly Footwear
Your child won’t need flip flops or water shoes since all our facilities include fall-proof, anti-microbial carpet. But, that doesn’t mean they won’t want cute swim lesson shoes.
Ear and Nose Plugs
We work with swimmers of all ages to learn to totally submerge their whole head in the water. Our techniques work well for the vast majority of swimmers. You know your kid best. If they have health concerns or sensory sensitivities that make swim lessons more successful with nose and ear plugs, please bring them! We want our swimmers to feel confident and comfortable.
We hope you found these suggestions useful. Swimsuits, and swim diapers, are essential but sometimes the decision on other items comes down to swimmer preference and what makes getting out your door easier.
One last tip! Remember, every Big Blue Swim School includes a comfortable, wifi-equipped viewing lounge for parents and caregivers. You may want to pack a book or tablet, but that’s just for you!
