This post was sponsored by SwimWays as part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Why We Teach our Kids to Swim
As a family travel blogger, my kids are always on the go. We are often at beach destinations or stay at hotels with swimming pools. And when I bring my kids to Kauai to visit my Mom, they are near a pool and the ocean. Plus, we live in Seattle where we are surrounded by lakes, rivers, and Puget Sound. It’s important that our kids are safe when they are in the water. That’s one of the reasons I pack the SwimWays Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy on our family adventures. Plus, it folds flat into the carry bag.

Being comfortable in the water is the first step to being safe in the water. We’re lucky that we have so many opportunities to get our kids into the water. We also travel frequently with our extended family.
My kids’ cousins are on competitive swim teams. This motivates my preschooler to learn to swim so he can play with them in the pool. And if my preschooler is swimming in a pool, that’s where my 18 month old wants to be!
National Learn to Swim Day
If you need extra motivation to get your kids into the water, you can celebrate National Learn to Swim Day! In 2012, SwimWays launched National Learn to Swim Day.
It’s a date dedicated to education parents and children about water safety and why it’s important for kids to learn to swim.
National Learn to Swim Day is the 3rd Saturday of May. So, this year, it’s May 19, 2018.

Just by founding National Learn to Swim Day, SwimWays is proving itself as an industry leader in helping kids learn to swim and promoting water safety. Their Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy is one of their products that helps parents teach water safety to their babies and toddlers.
We’re planning to spend National Learn to Swim Day at our local YMCA. My husband takes our 18 month old to parent/child swim classes there every Saturday morning. Our 4 year old also takes swim classes there twice a week.
We like that our kids can see other people swimming because that encourages them to keep getting better and better.
Seattle Staycation at Hyatt Regency Lake Washington
Sometimes when life gets a bit busy, it’s nice to set aside time for a staycation. We’re lucky that a brand new hotel opened up just a few minutes from our home.
One of the best features of the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington is that they have an incredible pool area!

We spent a morning playing around with the Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy in the pool.
My husband sang the songs they sing in the parent/baby swim classes at the YMCA. This made my baby laugh and get excited to kick his little legs and move around the swimming pool. And my preschooler loved helping us swim with his brother. They both laughed and laughed as they tried to swim away from us!
Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy
My 18 month old loves his Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy. It’s geared for babies ages 9-24 months, so it’s the perfect size for him. It’s currently the #1 selling baby float in the United States. And families have been rating it 4 & 5 stars for years.

Blowing up this baby float ring was pretty easy. There are safety valves and dual air chambers for enhanced security. It has fabric that covers the ring and the comfortable baby inflatable swim seat.
This baby pool float with shade has a really large circumference and the patented inner spring around the outer edge provides extra stability when it’s in the water.
My son appreciated the mesh play space because he can stash his toys there. As we’re often using this baby float swimming outdoors, I like that it’s a baby pool float with canopy.
The canopy is adjustable and removable and features 50+ UPF sun protection, which is perfect for trips to Hawaii and Disneyland.
You can learn more about Swimways by following them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Fun Places to Take a Baby Pool Float
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Why Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach is One of the Best Hotels in Waikiki for Families
Baby Friendly Activities and Experiences on Kauai
A Week in Maui: Itinerary for Families with Toddlers
Why You Should Go to Disneyland with a Baby
20 Comments
When my kids were learning to swim, I was more afraid than they were. Thanks for sharing these great tips.
Haha! Yes! I know that feeling!
One, cutest suit ever!! I have been looking for a good one piece! And two, these are great tips and a fun float for pool safety!
Haha! I think I found it on Amazon after I had my first baby. Four years later, it’s still holding up!
Such an important topic! We have multiple family members who have pools and growing up in Maine, we’re surrounded by lakes as well. Water safety is so important for our little one. And we love this spring float!! It’s perfect for our beach bag 🙂
Yes, doesn’t it fold up so nicely?
I totally need one of those floaties for this summer with my 8 month old!
Yes! They will have such a fun time!
Swimming is an essential skill. I am also teaching my kid to swim and I can clearly see the progress. These tips are so helpful. Safety first!
Good for you for teaching your child to swim!
omgosh! I love this thing, we had one for our kids when they were babies!
I love how easily it folds up!
Great post! We are actually signing our 10 months old up for swimming lessons this summer. We are really excited.
Yay! I hope it goes well!
We need to get our kids back in the water and in swim lessons! Great post!
Yes! Swim lessons are so important!
This is exactly what I need for my baby girl for swimming this summer!
Oh totally! Super fun for summer adventures!
We have a 2 month old so not quite big enough to use this yet, but I’d love to get one.
Oh it will be perfect in just a few months!