Outdoor Swimming With Kids: What to Wear for Sun, Wind and Cooler Water

Getting the kit right matters, though. Outdoor swimming isn't the same as a heated indoor pool. The sun's out. There's often a breeze. The water's cooler than you'd expect, even in August. And children feel all of that far more than we do.

We've been helping families with this since 2005. Here's what you need to know.

You're dressing for three things.

Sun. UV rays reflect off water, so your child gets exposed from above and below. Cloudy days still carry UV. Children's skin burns faster than ours.

Wind. A light breeze feels fine on a warm day, but pair it with wet skin and a child who's been in the water for half an hour, and the chill sets in fast. Babies and toddlers can't regulate their body temperature the way adults can. A 22°C day can feel very different once the wind picks up.

Water temperature. Open water, outdoor pools and coastal spots are nearly always cooler than an indoor pool. Even in summer. Children lose body heat much faster than we do, so what feels fine to you might feel very cold to them.

The right kit covers all three.

Every layer counts at this age. Always have an adult supervising in the water. The right kit means you can focus on having fun, not on what they're wearing.

A good swim nappy is the starting point for babies and toddlers. Our Happy Nappy™ is the original reusable swim nappy, and the Happy Nappy™ range is trusted by 90% of UK swim schools. It contains faecal matter and stops leaks getting into the water. Outdoors or indoors, it does the job.

Want the most advanced option? The Happy Nappy Duo™ is the only swim nappy in the world with a silver lined inner layer, scientifically proven to kill germs found in faecal matter. Its double layer design meets swim schools' double nappy requirements on its own. That's one less thing to sort.

A swim nappy alone won't keep a baby warm outdoors. The Baby Wrap™ is one many parents come back to. Made from 2mm neoprene, it opens completely flat, so it's easy to get on even the wriggliest babies. It keeps the core warm without restricting arms and legs, and it's designed to be worn with a Happy Nappy™ underneath.

The Warm In One™ comes in many lovely designs, offering even more warmth. Its fleece lining keeps little ones cosy in cooler water, with full body coverage.

For older toddlers, our Happy Nappy™ Wetsuit builds the swim nappy technology directly into a 1mm neoprene wetsuit, so there are no separate pieces to manage. Zip them in and they're ready.

Once they're dressed for the water, don't forget the skin that isn't covered. Always apply a high factor, water resistant sun cream to exposed skin before you head out. Reapply after swimming and again during the day.

From our sun protection range, our Legionnaire Hats are well worth it for outdoor swims. A peak at the front protects eyes from glare. The fabric at the back covers the neck, one of the easiest spots to burn. They're elasticated, fast drying and UPF50+. And they stay on.

Older children want to stay in the water longer. So their kit needs to keep up.