Since the end of last summer when we first bought the 4 foot deep pool we have had trouble finding something that works to keep our active, super independent toddler afloat and happy. He was about 17 months old when we bought it and was underweight. Let me tell you, it’s hard to find a floatie for a busy toddler that’s barely 20 pounds. We bought a good one that was for a small child but it was the life-saving kind that kept flipping him onto his back. Not cool. And he let us know about it. He hated the kind of floaties that they sit in. I have a girl that would’ve loved that kind of thing when she was that age, but we’re talking about Mr. Activitivo here. We tried the kind that are suits that you zip up – kind of like a floatie wet suit sort of thing. And maybe in a bigger city we could’ve found one to fit a less than 20 pounder, but no such luck around here. He’s very independent and didn’t want to be held onto the whole time either. The arm floaties weren’t enough even with his great sense of balance and desire to swim. And the floatie rings would let him slip out. The arm floaties PLUS the ring were okay, but he got really tired of the big uncomfortable combo.
So…
We Googled toddler swimming devices. Toddler floaties. 2 year old flotation devices. Everything we could think of and happened to run across these Puddle Jumpers, they’re made by Stearns and we love it. I know the weight says 30-50 and this may not have worked last summer when he was closer to 20 pounds, but now that he is between 20-30 pounds (and obviously at it’s lowest end – the strap is cinched up tight as it will go) it works just fine.
We found it at a local K Mart. LOVE this thing. We got one for our four year old girl and she loves it too, but that’s less than noteworthy since just about anything works for her. It latches in the back and is all one piece.
This thing keeps him upright. Stays on a small child. And allows him complete freedom.
I hope this helps some of my loyal readers and random Googlers alike! (Disclaimer: We always stay close to him and are not responsible for your children. Just sayin’.)
