The summer is coming! Spending time in the water as a family can be a wonderful way to bond, have fun, and stay active. But with a little preparation, you can have a perfect family summer – and we’ll help you in this task!

Whether you’re planning a day at the beach, a pool party, or simply enjoying some splash time at home, preparation is key to ensuring everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.

At Easy2Swim, we believe that a little planning goes a long way. Here are four essential steps to get ready for a perfect family summer, with time in the water.

Step 1: Water safety is the priority

Ensure water safety for everyone should always be the top priority when it comes to water activities.

But how you can garantee the safety, especially for children? Here are some crucial tips to keep everyone safe!

Swimming Skills: Make sure everyone in the family, especially children, has basic swimming skills. If your kids are new to swimming, consider enrolling them in swimming lessons at home or nearby.

Supervision: Always have a designated adult supervising the children. Even if lifeguards are present, it’s important to keep a close eye on your kids.

Life Jackets: For younger children or those who are not confident swimmers, use life jackets or floatation devices. Ensure they are properly fitted and approved for water safety.

Step 2: pack the essentials

Having the right gear and supplies can make your water adventure more enjoyable and stress-free.

In order to get the perfect family summer, you can follow this checklist with essentials to pack:

• Swimwear: Comfortable and appropriate swimwear for everyone.
• Towels: Bring plenty of towels for drying off and staying warm.
• Sunscreen: Protect your family’s skin from harmful UV rays by applying waterproof sunscreen regularly.
• Hydration: Pack water bottles to keep everyone hydrated, especially on hot days.
• Snacks: Healthy snacks to keep energy levels up.
• First Aid Kit: A basic first aid kit for minor injuries or emergencies.

Step 3: plan fun activities

A perfect family summer has a lot of activities to enjoy together!

To make the most of your family time in the water, plan some fun activities that everyone can enjoy. Here you can find some ideas:

Water Games:

• Beach Ball Volleyball: Set up a net or use an imaginary line and play a game of volleyball with a beach ball. This game is great for all ages and encourages teamwork.
• Pool Noodle Jousting: Give each participant a pool noodle and have them sit on inflatable rafts. The goal is to knock the opponent off their raft using the noodle. This game is both fun and safe with supervision.
• Diving for Treasures: Throw some weighted toys or diving rings into the pool and have the kids dive to retrieve them. This game helps improve underwater swimming skills and is always a hit. Here at Easy2Swim, we use this game to teach important concepts – take a look!

Swimming Challenges:

• Timed Races: Set up short races across the pool or along the beach. Use a stopwatch to time each swimmer and see who can swim the fastest.
• Relay Races: Divide the family into teams and have relay races where each member swims a portion of the distance before tagging the next swimmer.
• Endurance Challenges: Challenge older kids or adults to swim a certain number of laps or for a set amount of time without stopping.

Relaxation Time:

• Floating on Rafts: Bring along some inflatable rafts or loungers and spend some time floating and relaxing on the water.
• Lounging by the Pool: Set up a comfortable area with chairs and umbrellas for some downtime by the pool.

Step 4: Educate and prepare your kids

Before heading out, take some time to educate your kids about water safety and what to expect.

In fact, the idea of ​​preparing children with clear conversations can be positive in all areas of life. This gives children predictability, and helps direct them toward desired behaviors.

To begin, establish rules and boundaries. For example, you can explain the importance of staying within the designated swimming areas, whether at the beach or pool.

You can also emphasize that running around the pool area can be dangerous and lead to slips and falls.

Another tip is encourage the “buddy system”, where kids pair up and look out for each other.

It is importante to teach some emergency procedures. For example, teach your kids how to signal for help if they are in trouble. This could be waving their arms or shouting for assistance.

Another actions is to show them where the lifeguards are stationed and explain that they should go to a lifeguard if they need help.

4 steps for a perfect family summer!

With these four steps, you can ensure a safe, fun, and memorable family time in the water.

At Easy2Swim, we’re dedicated to helping families enjoy the water safely and confidently. Whether you’re planning a day at the beach or swimming lessons at home, preparation is key.

Ready to dive in? Visit www.easy2swim.com to learn more about our swimming programs and water safety tips.

Let’s make every family water adventure a splash-tastic success!