You know those little round blow-up arm bands that you used to wear in the pool? They weren't safe when we were kids, and neither are they safe today. Yeah, they're still on the market and they'll likely continue to be, but there are far safer options out there. One of the main reasons that arm band floaties aren't safe is because it creates a false confidence in children that they can swim; mostly, the floaties just keep arms afloat and not much else. Of course, any floating swim device on the market will give at least some sense of confidence in the water (and that's part of the purpose...to create a level of confidence in a child that is encouraging, not blind)...but the idea behind a floatie is to keep a child safe while they are learning how to swim. You'll want to supplement any floatie with actual skills on swimming without them. So, with all of that in mind, you might be wondering...how do I find a floatie for a toddler that's actually safe? Well, for starters, this list. Here are the top 5 safe floaties for toddlers we could find. Stearns Original Puddle Jumper Life Jacket The New Arm FloatieLike we said, arm floaties are no longer considered safe. This life vest with arm floaties, however, is. Best OverallFind on Amazon When it comes to a life jacket that is comfortable enough for your kiddo to wear all day yet keeps your water safety worries in check, this is the best floatie for your toddler you’ll find. Made in compliance for water safety and approved by the US Coast Guard for use as a Type V/III PFD in, on, or near the water, you can confidently allow your child to play with supervision near the water. This floatie fits snugly, is totally comfortable and will not chafe, and gives new swimmers the confidence to keep on practicing their skills. As a bonus, there are tons of fun designs and colors for your kiddo to choose from, making it a bit of a fashion statement for them, too. Pros: Nylon shell is incredibly durable. Dries out quickly. Meets all of the strict requirements for use on boats, public pools, and water parks. Cons: Great for building confidence around the water, however it does restrict arm movement and accurate swimming technique. In older children really wanting to learn how to swim, this can be a hindrance. Body Glove Paddle Pals Life Jacket Safe, Comfortable, and Kids Love ItAnother take on the floatie vest, this durable PFD is even approved for Type III recreational boating. Runner-UpFind on Amazon Much like the Puddle Jumper, above, this life Body Glove Paddle Pals Life Jacket has a floatation shirt and attached arm bands that will aid in keeping your child above water. 6″ high and 20″ wide, this toddler floatie will fit a child 30-50 pounds. There is an adjustable chest strap that clips and releases in the back, while the safety shoulder harness prevents this vest from sliding off or up while they’re in the water (key for keeping head above water). Made from a durable polyester material. Pros: US Coast Guard Approved for learning how to swim. Back safety clip keeps kids from taking this floatie off themselves. Cons: Not for children under 30 pounds. Splash About Go Splash Swim Vest A Packable Swim VestIf you're heading on vacation and need to pack light, this is the ideal swim vest for you. Best for TravelingFind on Amazon Made with non-removable, slim-fitting floats, this vest is the ideal lightweight, highly packable swim vest for summertime vacations. It’s made of incredibly soft and durable UPF 50+ neoprene, this is a quick drying, ultra-thin safety vest. Although it is bouyant and does aid in keeping your child afloat, this is not intended as a life-saving vest. It is best for learning how to swim, and creating a sense of confidence in your child so that they feel comfortable approaching the water to learn the necessary skills to swim. Pros: Ultra thin and lightweight, will even pack well in a carry-on. So comfortable that it can be worn for hours without any chafing. Fun colors and patterns to choose from. Cons: No strap on the bottom. Splash About UV Floatsuit A Floating SuitAn ideal swim suit for free arms and legs, and yet buoyant enough to keep children afloat as they learn to swim. Best FloatsuitFind on Amazon If you love the idea of a floatie but don’t love the idea of arm restriction, then this floatsuit will be right up your alley. Worn as a bathing suit, this floatsuit has a UPF 50+ suit with built-in floaties around the core, keeping your child bobbing along safely in the water while allowing for full use of their limbs. As your child becomes more confident in their swimming abilities, you can remove floats along the way until they are swimming completely by themselves. Another bonus? There are no straps that ride up uncomfortably between the legs. Made as a swimsuit with shorts, this suit fits snug, doesn’t ride up, and is entirely safe to use. Pros: Multiple (fun!) patterns and colors to choose from. Removable floaties. UPF 50+ sun guard. Cons: This is not designed to keep your child from drowning. It is in aid in teaching your child to swim. As always, strict supervision while your child is on or near water is incredibly important. Stearns Child Classic Series Vest A Classic Swim VestThis US Coast Guard-approved life vest is durable and safe. Best Life VestFind on Amazon If you’re looking for a more classic life vest preserver for longer adventures on the water, you’ll want to go with a classic series, open side vest such as this one from Stearns. This US Coast Guard-approved vest is excellent for boating, tubing, or otherwise playing in the water. There are three adjustable buckles, as well as a leg strap, for a snug, safe fit. It’s a basic life preserver vest with all of the safety features necessary. Pros: For children 30-50 sounds. PE floatation foam Bright red for visibility (also comes in purple). Cons: Not ideal as a swimming vest. Frequently Asked Questions How should a floatie fit a toddler? Although children often protest at wearing floaties or PFDs, they can be life-saving and with even the best swimmers among us, a necessary device for boating adventures. For toddlers especially, you’ll want to make sure that the fit is correct since most toddlers have close to zero safety skills in the water. The fit must therefore be snug. They should not be able to slip out or under. The crotch strap, if there is one, should be snug. How long do floaties, or PFDs, typically last for before needing replacement? Assuming proper care of your PFD, there really is not expiration date on a floatie or PFD. If there has been any damage that has been repaired, or if it has been altered in any way, then it must be replaced ASAP because it has likely lost its ability to function in the way that it was intended. Proper care for a PFD is relatively simple. You’ll want to make sure that after each use it is completely dry. You can hang it in a well ventilated space to allow it to air dry thoroughly. It must be rinsed with fresh water if ever in contact with salt water, and again, hung to dry in a well ventilated area. You also want to keep it stored away out of direct heat or sun, and do not dry it using a heating device. Heat, such as a dryer or direct sun, weakens the buoyancy of the PFD. Do floaties help children learn how to swim? Yes, and no. Yes, because often children just need a bit of confidence in and around water. They need to learn that water can be a lot of fun in order to keep them interested in learning how to swim. However, floaties for toddlers and PFDs for older kiddos are designed to keep heads above the water and bodies upright. This is not at all how a body is naturally in the water. It can create some confusion when it’s time to take the vest off. While floaties or PFDs are an excellent tool for basic water safety, they are not to replace adult supervision. You’ll want to enroll your child in swim lessons and spend plenty of time with them in the water without a floatie on, so they learn what it feels like to use their body to swim without the aid of a floatation device.