Snorkeling is one of the most exciting water activities. Even without advanced swimming skills, people of different age groups get to marvel at mesmerizing underwater sights and enjoy the relaxing effect of this water sport. Kids can start learning how to snorkel as early as five or six years old! While it’s primarily effortless, not having the right equipment can make it hard to enjoy the experience and potentially put snorkelers in danger. Poorly designed fins, for example, impede movement, and loose snorkeling masks cause water to build up inside. Choosing the right gear is especially important for children, who are more prone to panic than adults. So, we are here to teach you some safety tips for snorkeling.
According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), an average of 10 fatal drowning accidents happen every day in the United States. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites drowning as the third leading cause of unintentional death in children and adolescents aged five to 19 years.
The NDPA stresses the preventability of such events and advocates using high-quality kids’ snorkeling gear to diminish risks significantly. In contrast to how they are usually marketed, snorkeling equipment isn’t mere toys that can be purchased without much thought. Every piece of snorkeling equipment must be made of the finest materials and designed purposefully to ensure comfort and safety.
What to Consider When Buying Snorkeling Gear for Kids
While it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices when purchasing snorkeling gear for kids, being guided by the following considerations can help simplify the process:
Kids’ Snorkel Masks
A kids’ snorkel mask is essential when letting your child participate in the sport. They typically come in twin-lens and single-lens designs (fashioned from tempered glass) and have a hypoallergenic silicone skirt. Aside from improving visibility, the primary function of a snorkel mask is to create an air-tight barrier between the face and saltwater. Ideally, all snorkel masks should remain impervious amid movements and changes in facial expression.
When buying a snorkeling mask for your child, your primary concern should be its fit. Look for a product with a high-grade silicone seal and test it before allowing your child to go underwater. Put the mask over your child’s face without the straps to do this. With the gear barely touching the skin, examine the mask skirt for any gaps, especially around the smile lines, temple, nose, and corner of the mouth. There should be no visible spaces.
Next, have your child take a deep breath. A good snorkeling mask should create a seal as your kid inhales and will stay in place even as you let go. Remember not to press on the mask during this test—or whenever it is used. Creating the airlock must be effortless, and making it come loose during tests should be achieved by simply exhaling.
Generally, there are two types of kids’ snorkeling masks: regular masks and full-face snorkeling masks. Traditional models only provide coverage until the nose, while full-face snorkeling masks cover the entire face. For children who do not have a lot of experience being in the water, a full-face snorkeling mask is your best bet to help them get comfortable. This gear allows natural breathing underwater, making for a calmer and more relaxed experience.
Recommended Kids’ Snorkel Masks:
Cressi Piumetta Kids Mask
Key Features:
- High-quality silicone rubber
- Durable polycarbonate plastic lens
- Even pressure dispersion
Ocean Reef Junior Full-Face Snorkeling Mask
Key Features:
- Ingenious defroster to eliminate fogging
- Dry top snorkel design
- Polycarbonate lens
- Soft silicone skirt
Kids’ Snorkel Tubes
Snorkel tubes must always be bought with masks or, ideally, as part of a kids’ snorkel set. Unless you opt for a full-face snorkeling mask, you should have your child use a snorkel tube together with the mask, even when you’re only taking him or her to the swimming pool. The simple apparatus serves as an entryway for air so your child can breathe. It may also be equipped with additional components to allow water purging.
The primary consideration when purchasing a snorkel tube is the mouthpiece. It should be a kids’ size silicone mouthpiece with just the right softness for your child to bite comfortably while preventing any leaks. Once you’ve got that down, you can pay attention to other specifications. Snorkel tubes are now available in dry and semi-dry models. Unlike traditional equipment, dry and semi-dry snorkel tubes have splash guards on their exposed ends to prevent water from entering the gear. Some models also have purge valves that allow your child to expel liquid by blowing in the mouthpiece.
Recommended Kids’ Snorkel Tubes:
Cressi Mini Dry Junior Snorkel
Key Features:
- Soft silicone mouthpiece
- Contoured tube style
- Heavy-duty splash guard
- Large elliptic one-way exhaust valve
Akona Wahoo Jr. Snorkel (AKS100)
Key Features:
- Semi-dry top
- Easy purge valve
- Deep-well air reservoir
Kids’ Snorkeling Fins
Snorkeling fins go on your child’s feet to facilitate quick and effortless movements in the water. As with other snorkeling gear, choosing a pair should be heavily based on how well they fit your child. Swimfins that are too tight can cut off blood circulation while wearing loose flippers, which may result in blisters and could come off while swimming.
For practical reasons, you can go for open-heel fins with adjustable straps. These will guarantee excellent value for your money as it will take a long time before your kid will grow out of them. But if your child is more comfortable with full-foot fins or snorkeling fins that come in a fixed size, purchase those instead. If you don’t want to keep purchasing new ones immediately, you can buy them in a bigger size and pair them with tick neoprene socks or thin-soled booties.
Snorkeling fins’ flexibility should also be considered when making a purchase. Since children don’t have much muscle power in their legs, you should stay away from rigid fins, as these will make it harder for them to move about. Lightweight and flexible kids’ snorkeling fins will also ensure your child won’t tire quickly while engaging in the activity.
Recommended Kids’ Snorkel Fins
Cressi Kids Rock Fins
Key Features:
- Open-heel design
- Vented fin blades for more power and easy maneuvering
Deep See Jr. Splash Kids Snorkeling Fins
Key Features:
- Open-heel design
- Durable side rails for maximum propulsion
Kids’ Swimwear
Kids’ swimwear protects your child from stingers and other irritants in the water. You can choose between a simple rash guard or a full wetsuit, depending on where you plan to snorkel. When temperatures are cold, a wetsuit will keep your child warm by trapping a layer of water inside the garment. This will then be heated up naturally by the body and serve as insulation against the cold.
Meanwhile, rash guards are more breathable swimsuits perfect for warmer temperatures. They also come in different lengths for varying levels of coverage. Rash guards and wetsuits may also be constructed with unique materials that provide ultraviolet protection.
Recommended Kids’ Snorkeling Swimwear:
Cressi 2mm Lido Junior Shorty
Key Features:
- Made of nylon-2-neoprene
- 2mm thickness for ease of movement
- Excellent core warming capability
- Good anatomical fit
NeoSport 2mm Child Shorty
Key Features:
- Made of nylon-2-neoprene
- Flat-lock seam stitches
- It helps shield the wearer from UV rays
Kids’ Water Accessories
Some water accessories aren’t essential for snorkeling but will make the whole experience easier and much safer for your child. Kickboards, for example, greatly help children who are not confident in their swimming abilities and may even be used by pretty skilled kids for an added layer of safety. Meanwhile, a swim vest is imperative for beginners and young children. Have your child always wear a properly fitted swim vest, and be sure to couple the gear with constant supervision.
Recommended Kids’ Snorkeling Accessories:
Scuba Max Snorkel Vest
Key Features
- Squeeze-style side-release buckle closure
- Adjustable waist strap
- Great lift weight and comfort
Blue Reef Snorkeling Vest
Key Features:
- Horse collar design
- Made from a durable fabric with an internal urethane laminate
