Summer is an exciting time! As the weather warms and school wraps up, most families like to spend time on the water. Whether swimming at the pool, splashing at the water park, fishing on the lake, tubing down the river, or boating on the ocean nearly every family loves a weekend involving water! However, the reality is water is dangerous, so in order to have fun, we first have to be safe.
There are a lot of things you can do to make your child safer around water. Getting them into formal swimming lessons, teaching them about water safety, ensuring they’re wearing a Coast Guard-approved life vest, and just being extra vigilant around any body of water are all great ways to reduce the risk of accidents. Plus, we have some serious beach hacks for moms. But, something that many families forget is that the color of your child’s swimsuit and swim gear matter!
Many swimsuits on the market are familiar hues of blue and green that remind buyers of the ocean, but those colors (and some others) impact visibility in open water. If a kid were to be submerged for an extended period of time or swept away in a strong current, it’s essential that parents, lifeguards, and/or rescue crews are able to easily spot a child in the water. You need bright, bold colors that won’t blend in.
Today, we’re sharing the best shades and colors for swimsuits, life jackets, swim caps, and other swim gear. Swim gear shouldn’t just be stylish and comfortable when it comes to kids, the gear should also be safe, helping keep your child visible no matter what!
Here’s our guide to swimsuit colors:
Best Swimsuit Colors for Kids: What to Choose for Maximum Visibility
Bright Orange
Bright orange is highly visible in both natural water like lakes and rivers and the pool! This orange color is used in hunting, because it rarely exists in nature, allowing a wearer of bright orange to always remain visible. In the same way, these bold orange hues don’t exist in the water, allowing your child to be visible even if submerged.
Neon Green
Not all shades of green are good for water. However, neon green can be seen pretty well in pool water and natural water. That being said, there are other colors on this list that offer better visibility, so neon green would not be our first choice.
Bright Yellow
Yellows show up particularly well in natural water! Above or below the water, yellow can be clearly seen. Just make sure the yellow is truly bright (like a highlighter) and not a softer pastel yellow.
Hot Pink
Neon pink is easily seen in a pool, but in murkier water it can sometimes be difficult to see. Because of that, hot pink shouldn’t be your first choice if you can find a swimsuit in neon yellow, green, or orange!
Bright Red
Bright red is another good option, however, it offers better visibility in pools than in natural bodies of water. Dirtier bodies of water, like lakes and rivers, can have red hues that can make red suits harder to see. However, they’re still a good overall option when looking for a suit in a safe color.
Bold Patterns
Patterned swimsuits with bright and contrasting colors can have an added visibility boost! It’s hard to miss a pattern of various easy-to-see colors from the shore, from above, or even under the water. Just ensure all the colors in that pattern are in the “safe color” category!
Colors Bad for Kids Swimsuits
Blue
Of course, blues are going to be the most dangerous. Light blues are nearly invisible and darker colors aren’t much better. It’s best to steer clear of any shades of blue when shopping for swim gear!
Green
Green, like blue, is a color that presents in natural bodies of water and pools! Of course, we already mentioned neon green can be a safe choice, but you should avoid any other variation of green.
Purple
Since purple has more blue in it than pink, it doesn’t show as well in water. Dark colors show a bit better in pools, but in natural bodies of water, purple can still be nearly invisible. It’s best to choose another color!
Gray or White
Gray and white disappear below the surface of the water. They blend in so easily! Plus, with kids, who wants to deal with washing a white swimsuit anyway? Opt for brighter, safer, (and easier to clean) colors on this list.
Black
Underwater lights in pools actually make black suits show up pretty well. However, the same is not true for lakes, ponds, rivers, and oceans! Even clearer natural bodies of water have no light source, meaning you can’t see black suits well on or beneath the surface.
Brown
Brown swimsuits are probably not the hottest thing on the market, but if you come across one, skip it. Brown swim gear could easily be dismissed for a pile of leaves, dirt, or shadow when spotted in the water (if it can be seen at all!).
Pastel Colors
Overall, you want to skip blues/greens and neutral colors. However, avoid pastel colors as well! Pastel versions of colors like pink, orange, and yellow will not have the same high visibility as their bright, neon counterparts especially against the light pool bottom or murky natural water! So, it’s not just about the color, it’s about the hue, as well!
Swimsuit Color Test
Want a good visual showing how visible (or invisible) a color is in a pool or natural water? Check out this graphic from Alive Solutions on the Safe in the Seat Amazon Shop.
Life Jackets for Kids: What Parents Need to Know
When it comes to water safety for kids, swimsuit color is just one piece of the puzzle. A properly fitting life jacket can add an important layer of protection, especially around lakes, oceans, or boating environments.
But not all life jackets are created equal, and fit matters more than brand.
What to Look for in a Safe Life Jacket
The most important thing? Choose a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket and make sure it fits your child properly.
Here are a few key guidelines to follow:
- Always choose the correct size - Life jackets are sized by weight for a reason. Avoid sizing up, this can cause the jacket to ride up or slip, reducing its ability to keep your child’s airway above water.
- Infants need head and neck support - For babies, look for life jackets designed with built-in head support to help keep their face above water.
- Toddlers need a leg strap (and it should always be used) - Leg straps help keep the life jacket in place and prevent it from slipping over your child’s head in the water.
- Check condition regularly - Make sure the life jacket is in good working order - no rips, tears, broken buckles, or compromised stitching.
Why Fit Matters More Than Brand
There isn’t one “best” life jacket for every child. What matters most is:
- Coast Guard approval
- Proper weight-based sizing
- A secure, snug fit
A life jacket that’s too big or worn incorrectly may not perform the way it’s designed to in an emergency.
A Quick Reminder
Even with a life jacket, active supervision is always essential.
Life jackets are a helpful safety tool, but they don’t replace:
- close, attentive supervision
- swimming skills
- other layers of water safety
Recommended Life Vests
Keep your kids safe this summer with bright, bold swimsuits that standout in the water!
Safety is our whole thing here at Safe in the Seat. We focus a lot on vehicle and car seat safety, but the vehicle isn’t the only place your family is at risk. Keep your kids safe in the water this summer with the right swim clothes. And, of course, remember to always supervise your children around water and use coast guard approved life vests when appropriate! For more Safe in the Seat safety guides, check out these posts:
- Safety Rules for Kids
- Summertime Safety Tips
- Parking Lot Safety Tips
- Bus Safety Tips for Kids
- Airport Safety Tips
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