ToySplash Child Swimsuit Guide
The temperature is rising and the sun is staying out later. You can’t deny it, it’s almost summer. Now is time to make sure your family is ready for the pool or beach. Read our ToySplash Child Swimsuit Guide for top tips regarding outfitting your kids for a long and splashy summer.
First, decide if your kids need new suits. Even if your kids’ old suits still fit, they may not be wearable. So, we recommend you inspect last year’s swimwear for the following common problems:
-Loss of Opaqueness. Pool chemicals can be hard on fabrics, so do some water tests to make sure their swimsuits cover what they should. Even a black suit can become transparent in time.
-Stretched out elastic. Test the elastic, especially in boys’ swim trunks. Just because they stay around his waist in his bedroom doesn’t mean he won’t lose them in the water.
-Look for common wear spots—sitting on rough cool decks and playing in the sand can wear holes in the seat, especially of little girls’ suits.
If new suits are in order, it’s time to hit the stores! Shopping for kids suits, thankfully, is not as difficult as shopping for an adult suit, but there are still some important things to remember.
-Age appropriateness. What is suitable for an 18-year-old is not always appropriate for an 8-year-old. Regardless of whether it is a one-piece or a two-piece suit, you won’t be able to tell if the cut and fit is appropriate for your child until she tries it on.
-Use appropriateness. Is your child going to be spending every waking moment in a swimming pool this summer? Or is this a suit for a weeklong trip to the beach? Some suits will weather a long, hot, summer better than others. If your kids are fish, let durability trump fashion. If they live in the water, it’s a good idea to invest a little more in an athletic-quality suit, which will weather a summer of hard play.
-Embellishments. Designers like to add a lot of fun embellishments, especially on little girls’ suits. Be mindful that these are often more for style than for function. Painted-on designs often flake off when they’re faced with harsh pool chemicals and saltwater. They look great on the hanger, but it’s better to say no at the store than to feel like you wasted money later.
-Dress codes. Some summer camps, pools, and water parks have dress codes for swimwear. Make sure whatever you purchase conforms to the rules so your child can avoid the embarrassment and hurt feelings of having to sit out while the other children play in the water.