Whether you are boating or paddling around, or simply playing around at the pool with your kids, life jackets (also known as “Personal Flotation Devices” or PFDs) will give your kids an extra coat of protection against unintentional drowning, which’s the second leading natural disaster in kids under 14. Such incidents often end up in death.
So, being parents, you need to be very careful when taking your kid around any water body.
Keeping that in mind, we have prepared a complete guide on buying the best life jackets for kids. Let’s learn all about life jackets for toddlers in this article below…
Review contents
How Does a Life Jacket Protect My Child?
Wearing life jackets around the water bodies is essential for kids, especially those who don’t know swimming.
And even if your kid knows how to swim, it is always better to wear a life jacket. Let’s now see how life jackets help your kid stay safe.
Visibility:
Based on the color you pick, a kid’s swim vest will keep your kid visible even from a distance in case of an emergency in the water.
The top colors for kids’ life vests are yellow, orange, and red. It would help if you avoided grays, blues, and dull colors.
Buoyancy:
They are filled with very floating material (typically foam) that helps your kids stay afloat on the water.
Security:
Unlike unapproved flotation equipment, most kids’ life jackets feature a crotch strap to ensure they do not slip off in case a child accidentally falls into the water.
Head Protection:
A few life jacket models are specially designed to flip kids on their backs to keep their faces upside while keeping them floated.
These are perfect for infants or theoretically dangerous water games that could cause the user to become senseless and thus unable to overturn.
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Which Type Of Life Jacket Is The Best for preschoolers And Toddlers?
Life vests, often known as personal flotation devices or PFDs, are approved and rated by the USCG (United States Coast Guard).
There are several categories, but when it comes to life jackets for preschoolers and toddlers, the first 5 are the ones your kid needs.
Type 1
It’s designed for open or rough waters or traveling a long distance with your kids. These are specially designed to turn the toddler’s face up if they fall senseless and are among the best-rated life vests.
These are for very serious, far offshore boating. They are bulky and oversized. Kids who weigh 11 pounds or up can use these jackets.
Type 2
This toddler life jacket delivers less buoyancy than type I but is way more comfortable and less restrictive to wear.
After wearing this type of life jacket, infants and toddlers will feel light enough to turn their faces up if they fall senseless in the water.
These are among the safest life best for preschoolers or toddlers who can’t swim.
These are perfect kid life jackets for sailing, fishing offshore, or boating in calm waters. However, they aren’t the best swim vest for kids for swimming or pools because of are more restrictive.
Type 3
If your kids already know how to swim, type III is the perfect toddler life vest.
These jackets are easier to wear and lightweight, making them relaxed life jackets for kids, and they still have great buoyancy.
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Top 3 Toddlers Life Jackets
As you know everything, there’s to know the features and types to look for in a toddler life jacket. These thorough reviews will assist you in picking the best life vest for your kid.
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Stohlquist Unisex Infant Life Jacket
This model from Stohlquist does not provide only one foam support for the neck — instead, it has 2.
Stohlquist life jacket enhanced the construction of the foam flap by adding an extra foam pad that delivers additional support for more minor children.
It comes with both an easy-to-utilize zipper & a clip, along with a changeable strap for extra security. It similarly comes with a crotch strap to stop it from slipping over the kid’s head.
Its design is less bulky than several other toddler life jackets while still delivering Coast Guard-approved, high-quality protection.
Things To Like The Jacket:
It comes with double neck support to keep the kid’s face up and out of the water
It is offered in bright yellow color
The grab strap of the jacket is easy to access and strong
It comes with both a belt and buckle for a snug fit
Things To Not Like The Jacket:
The zipper may rub on the kid’s face or neck
It is expensive
Stohlquist Waterware Child PFD Life Jacket - Yellow + Blue, 30-50 lbs - Coast Guard Approved Life Vest for Kids, Support Collar, Grab Handle, Fully Adjustable with Quick Release Buckle
Stohlquist Infant PFD Life Jacket - Yellow + Blue, 8-30 lbs - Coast Guard Approved Life Vest for Toddlers, Support Collar, Grab Handle, Fully Adjustable with Quick Release Buckle (Yellow/Blue)
Stohlquist Infant Life Jacket - Coast Guard Approved PFD Life Vest for Small Children, Support Collar, Grab Handle, Fully Adjustable with Quick Release Buckle | 10-30 lb, Aqua/Pink
$52.48 in stock
2 used from $42.32
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Airhead Treasure Life Vest
This life jacket is appraised for toddlers under 30 pounds. It features adjustable buckle straps to make it a snug fit.
The reachable grab strap helps you to drag your child easily and quickly from the water, and its foam collar delivers extra neck and head support for your kid — both in & out of the water.
It has various designs and printed cute cartoons that your kid will love to wear.
Things To Like The Jacket:
It comes with a grab strap so that you can rescue your kid easily and quickly
It is colored brightly, so you will have no problem spotting your kid
Type II USCG-approved life vest assures you high quality.
Things To Not Like The Jacket:
Won’t fit every baby
Airhead Infant's Treasure Life Vest, Blue, Model Number: 10088-01-A
$39.37 in stock
Airhead Infant's General Purpose Life Vest
$22.00 in stock
9 used from $17.49
Airhead Children's GNAR Kwik-Dry NeoLite Flex Life Vest
$49.99 in stock
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O’Neill Infant USCG Vest
If you take your kid out into the ocean, security is vital. This life jacket is designed to quickly flip your kid onto their back and keep their face out, stopping them from drowning whenever an accident happens.
And between the attached grab strap and the bright colors, you can quickly locate your kid and pull them from the water easily and quickly.
Many users agree that their kids found this relaxed, and its crotch strap keeps the baby secure and safe. With the adjustable buckle and double-fasten zipper, you can modify the size and get the life vest as snug & safe as possible.
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Things To Like The Jacket:
The crotch strap helps to keep the life jacket from slipping off.
Brightly colored so that you can quickly locate your kid from a distance.
It is a high-quality product.
They are designed to ease face-up flotation.
Things To Not Like The Jacket:
Only for kids up to 30 pounds
Not appropriate for the ocean use
Limited color choice.
O'Neill Infant Superlite USCG Life Vest,Turquoise/Berry/Lime:White,1sz
O'Neill Wake Waterski Infant USCG Vest, Pet/White/Col
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BOTTOM LINE
The maximum of drownings takes place in inland, calm waters. Maximum of the cases, it is seen that the kid wasn’t wearing any life jacket.
When you take them near any water body, it is a must for kids. Never take your kids to water sports or near the water body without wearing the best life jacket.
Buy the best life jacket for your little one to provide them with the most security and safety on the water. Enjoy water sports with proper safety measures!
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Gogokids Kids Swim Vest Folat Jacket - Boys Girls Floation Swimsuit Buoyancy Swimwear
STEARNS Infant Classic Series Vest, Blue
$27.99 in stock
2 used from $22.13
O'Neill Infant Superlite USCG Life Vest,Pacific/Yellow/Black:Yellow,1sz
Speedo Unisex-Child Swim Flotation Life Vest Bright Pink, One Size
Airhead Children's WICKED Kwik-Dry Neolite Flex Life Vest, Hot Pink (10077-02-B-HP)
$42.50 in stock
1 used from $39.72
STEARNS Child Classic Series Life Vest, Blue, Weight- 30-50 Lbs
$25.99 in stock
Stearns Child Hydroprene Vest , Blue, 30-50 Pound
$35.99 in stock