Children's Activities for Water Safety

Drowning is the No. 1 cause of injury death in children ages 1 to 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This grim statistic demonstrates why it is imperative that children learn proper water safety procedures through enjoyable and informative activities. In addition to water safety activities, parents should follow guidelines such as fencing a pool in, never leaving a child alone near water, installing pool-area alarms and being aware of the strong suction caused by pool drains.

  1. Swim Lessons

    • In 2010, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) amended its previous recommendations that only children 4 years and older should be given formal swim lessons after new data revealed that children ages 1 to 4 also benefit from lessons. Prior to enrolling a child under 4 years in lessons, the child's physical abilities, emotional development and overall health should be taken into consideration. The AAP does not recommend water safety programs for children under 1 year.

    Water Safety Material

    • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers developed a series of cartoons, games and coloring pages promoting water safety. Bobber, the Water Safety Dog, teaches children never to swim alone, always to wear life jackets near water and never to dive head-first. The material can be used to teach children to respect a body of water, whether it be a pool, hot tub, river or lake. Parents can also read books to their children about water safety and take advantage of free online resources.

    Water Safety Show

    • The Virginia Water Safety Coalition, a group of aquatics professionals and volunteers dedicated to educating the public about water safety, suggests allowing older children to write and perform a show for younger children. The skit should highlight proper water safety practices from a child's point of view. After the performance, the younger children can ask questions and discuss what they learned.

    Water Safety Rules

    • Families with pools should establish water safety rules. Encourage the children to participate when developing the guidelines. Create a poster that lists all of the rules and hang it in a prominent spot near the pool area. Every member of the family must follow the rules at all times, including parents and older children. Teach children basic water safety activities, such as floating and treading water. Children who are not strong swimmers should always wear a life jacket when in or around the pool.