What to Bring to Your Child's Swimming Lesson: The Complete Checklist

Swimming lessons go much better when nobody is searching for goggles five minutes before the class starts. Here is a checklist you can use every week, plus a few tips for children who are nervous about their first lessons.

The essentials

• Swimwear. A close-fitting one-piece, swim shorts or a rash guard set. Loose clothes and beach shorts drag in the water and many swim schools ask for proper swimwear. Check your school's rules: some ask for a particular colour or style.
• Goggles. Choose goggles that fit your child's face: press them on without the strap, and if they stay on for a second, the fit is good. Anti-fog lenses help children keep their eyes open under water. Our kids' anti-fog goggles have a big frame for a wide view.
• Swim cap. Many pools require one, and it keeps long hair out of the face. Silicone caps are easier to put on than latex and don't pull hair. See our kids' silicone swim cap.
• Towel or hooded poncho. A hooded poncho towel keeps small children warm and makes changing easier.
• Bag with a wet section. A wet & dry swim backpack or a waterproof drawstring bag stops wet swimwear soaking everything else.
• Flip-flops or pool shoes for walking around the pool.

For babies and toddlers

• A swim nappy: most pools require one for children who are not toilet trained.
• A long-sleeve rash guard suit keeps little ones warmer in the water.
• A spare nappy and a change of clothes for afterwards.

Useful extras

• A water bottle and a small snack: swimming makes children hungry.
• Moisturiser for skin dried by chlorine, and a comb or brush.
• A swim ear band if your doctor has advised keeping water out of the ears.
• A name label on everything. Goggles and caps are the items most often left behind.

Tips for nervous first-timers

• Visit the pool before the first lesson so the place is not new.
• Practise blowing bubbles and putting the face in the water in the bath at home.
• Let your child choose their own goggles or cap. Children are more willing to wear something they picked.
• Celebrate small steps. A swim progress chart and certificates make each new skill feel like a win.

Safety reminder: swim aids and lessons build confidence, but they never replace supervision. Always stay within arm's reach of young children in and near water.

Save on a lesson kit

Buy the kids' goggles and silicone swim cap together and the Kids Swim Lesson Kit discount is applied automatically at checkout. Browse everything for lessons in Training & School Swimwear and Kids. We ship worldwide with tracking.