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If you want to help your child stay warm in the swimming pool or at the beach, a wetsuit for kids is a really great investment. And in this guide, I’ll help you on your way to choosing the perfect wetsuit for your particular child.
By the time you’ve finished reading this guide, I hope to have made you much wiser about kids’ wetsuits. What they’re good for. And which model is right for your child. So let’s get started!
👆 Click on each model to jump down to the section where we describe each one in detail.
Our favourite of the short models 
Best wetsuit for kids for the money 
Great suit for the little ones 
Best long UV wetsuit for kids 
Best UV Suit for Kids: Fjord Rashguard 
To help you choose the right wetsuit for your child’s specific needs, I have divided my recommendations into three different categories:
The recommendations below are based on hands-on experience with a wide range of kids’ wetsuits.
We have tested both standard neoprene wetsuits and popular UV wetsuits/swimsuits to find the standout models in each category.
If you are looking for a kids’ wetsuit for either the beach or the swimming pool, I highly recommend the Watery UV Wetsuit for Kids – Calypso Shorty. The Watery Calypso is a short-sleeved, short-legged wetsuit with great shoulder flexibility that keeps your child warm both in the pool and at the beach, while providing UPF 50+ sun protection.
Besides being available in over 15 great colour combinations, it is crafted from a blend of two materials—neoprene and Polyamide Lycra—which gives it its high quality.
The top part of the suit (the light blue sleeves) is made of flexible Lycra, giving even the most energetic kids total freedom of movement while protecting against UVA and UVB rays (UPF 50+).
The body and legs are constructed with 2 mm neoprene, which provides great buoyancy and keeps the core properly warm.
It is clear that the Calypso Shorty UV wetsuit is a hit with kids—both for the beach and in the swimming pool. Many find that it genuinely helps them stay warm, even for children who usually get cold quickly.
Furthermore, it is our clear impression that the Calypso Shorty is a firm favourite among Watery.ie customers, especially families with young children. ⭐️
The suit is available in many different colours – check out the full range on our product page at Watery.ie.
“Really great swimming suit. This is the second one I’ve bought!” – (Anne-Marie T.)
“The suit looks good and fits well. Exactly what we were looking for..” – (Katharina)
This suit is best suited for children who need a good, thick wetsuit that is perfect for adventures out on the water. For simply playing and relaxing on the beach, this will be too warm.
However, for open water swimmers, the Watery Hedgehog wetsuit for kids is an essential part of the experience in the water, where flexibility, heat retention, and buoyancy are especially crucial.
This also applies to paddleboarding adventures, where you need a suit that allows great freedom of movement and keeps you warm if you fall off the board.
That is why the suit is precisely 3 mm thick, providing an optimal combination of flexibility and warmth. The wetsuit is made from thermal neoprene with high stretch, which increases heat retention compared to other suits of the same thickness. Perfect for all seasons on the water.
Care has also been taken to make the collar comfortable to wear, preventing painful chafing; this is achieved using Korean neoprene, which provides a snug and soft seal. In addition, you can easily adjust the collar to achieve an optimal fit.
Last but not least, it features a back zip for quick transitions – and is also equipped with flexible double-layer ankle panels, which is advantageous, especially for triathletes who often need to get the suit off as quickly as possible while preventing excess water from getting in.
“great mobility and flexibility in the water” – (Cecilie)
“it works well for both open water swimming 😊 and playing on a paddleboard.” – (Oliver W.)
If you are looking for a wetsuit for kids where the purpose is play and snorkelling either in the swimming pool or at the beach – where the suit is short and made with plenty of neoprene – you should go for the Aqua Sphere Stingray for kids (1-12 years). It has the best combination of materials and features that help your child stay warm while ensuring the greatest freedom of movement.
The wetsuit consists of a combination of Lycra and 2 mm neoprene. The Lycra is positioned in key areas such as around the legs and shoulders to provide great flexibility. Across the rest of the suit, the neoprene provides excellent warmth.
The neoprene and Lycra combination is also treated to provide factor 50 UV protection, preventing your child from getting sunburned at the beach.
Customer reviews highlight that the suit is comfortable to wear both in the swimming pool and at the beach. Parents report that their children can move freely and stay warm.
Several also point out that their children can put on and take off the suit by themselves – especially thanks to the front zipper and the flexible material.
Compared to other wetsuits, many emphasize the flexibility in the shoulders and legs as something special. This makes the suit ideal for playing and having fun in the water without the kids getting cold.
“Great fit and good quality for the price” – (Pernille V.)
“It works great for any kind of swimming 😊 and can be used longer than a regular swimsuit (regarding size).” – (Elizabeth L.)
If you’ve already read about the Calypso Shorty suit on our list, you know how much we love it. But there’s also this full-body version – and it’s absolutely brilliant if your child gets cold easily, or if you want to use the suit earlier or later in the season.
Based on feedback from parents of children who easily feel the chill in their legs and arms, there is a noticeable difference. Even when the water is cool, many find that their kids can play freely for hours without shivering – and without feeling restricted in their movements, even with full body coverage.
The suit is crafted from a fantastic combination of 2 mm neoprene on the body and legs, along with soft, flexible Lycra at the sleeves and neck. This delivers a great balance of warmth and freedom of movement. And just like the shorty version, it offers full UPF 50+ sun protection – ideal for beach days.
We particularly love the small details – like the flatlock seams, elasticated cuffs and ankles (which genuinely help retain heat), and the front YKK zip, making it super easy for kids to get in and out of the suit themselves.
So if you’re looking for a quality wetsuit for the beach when the weather isn’t necessarily reaching 25+ degrees, this wetsuit comes HIGHLY recommended!
It comes in several colours, so there’s something for both boys and girls.
“This Watery wetsuit exceeded my expectations 🙂 We had already tried a couple of others, and none of them fit well. My child is quite small and skinny, and the other suits never fit properly across her back and tummy. The Watery suit fits perfectly, hugs her body, and my child can now swim for long periods in cool water without getting cold. We are very satisfied and would choose Watery again.” – (Diana H.)
“Bought a wetsuit for my granddaughter. It is really great and now she can stay warm at the swimming pool. Lightning-fast delivery..” – (Helle B.)
If you are looking for a lovely UV wetsuit for your child – between 6 months and 5 years old – that is PERFECT for summer, then you should definitely consider this popular suit. We have received several messages from readers who warmly recommend this model based on their own experiences.
That is why we have chosen to include it in our recommendations.
What makes this Fjord Rashguard wetsuit unique is that it is made from comfortable and stretchy nylon and spandex, providing ultimate sun protection against the sun’s harmful rays. And the fantastic thing is that the material protects against over 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays.
The fabric of the suit is incredibly comfortable for the child to wear, and it feels mostly like a long swimsuit that also covers the shoulders and arms.
The suit is available in 4 lovely colours – green, dark blue, purple, and pink – so your little one can choose the colour they like best!
We highly recommend this wetsuit for the summer or for a holiday abroad in the sun ☀️
“My son loves it, and it protects him well” – (Jens M.)
“Recommended to other parents.” – (Mia L.)
Some children feel the cold more than others. Even so, it often happens that our little ones get chilly either at the swimming pool or on the beach. But with a wetsuit, you can help your child stay warm in the water.
For some, a full-body wetsuit will be the best option. For others, a shorty wetsuit covering only part of the body might be better. But no matter which type you choose, a wetsuit also provides sun protection and shields against jellyfish.
Whether you should go for a full wetsuit or a shorty, I’ll guide you through later in this article.
When buying a wetsuit for your child, there are a few things worth keeping in mind before you get out your card. There is a fairly wide range out there, but if you check the features of each suit and follow my points below, you’ll avoid making the wrong purchase.
The material that keeps your child warm in a wetsuit is neoprene. It comes in many different thicknesses. The thicker the neoprene, the warmer the wetsuit will be. However, thicker neoprene also makes the suit less flexible.
If the wetsuit is for the swimming pool or warm days at the beach for playing and snorkelling, I recommend a neoprene thickness of 2 mm. Anything thicker will restrict your child’s freedom of movement, and that takes the fun out of it.
When a wetsuit is fastened, it is done with a zip. And a kids’ wetsuit is available with a zip either at the front or at the back. When it comes to children, I recommend having the zip at the front.
When the zip is at the front, your child can zip it up and down themselves. This is more or less impossible if the zip is on the back.
Neoprene is a material that, in itself, is not very flexible. So to get good freedom of movement, it will be an advantage if the entire wetsuit is not made of neoprene.
Look for a wetsuit that also incorporates Lycra. Ideally, the Lycra should be in areas such as the shoulders and legs, where freedom of movement is particularly important.
The only spot on a kids’ wetsuit that is not completely waterproof is around the zip. Therefore, it is a good idea to check whether the wetsuit you are considering has an internal water barrier that stops water from entering the suit through the zip.
If the wetsuit is exclusively going to be used in the swimming pool, sun protection does not matter. But if it is going to be used at the beach, good sun protection suddenly becomes incredibly important.
So for outdoor use, I recommend choosing a kids’ wetsuit that provides at least UPF 50+ UV protection against the sun’s rays. That way, you provide your child with the best possible protection against sunburn.
Whether you should choose a shorty or a full-length wetsuit for your child depends on where it will be used. If it is for use in the swimming pool or for playing and snorkelling in warm conditions at the beach (a water temperature of 18 degrees or more), you should choose a shorty.
If, on the other hand, your child will be using it in colder conditions or for scuba diving, you should choose a full-length wetsuit. In general, a full wetsuit is best for diving, while it is most suitable for playing and snorkelling in all months other than May, June, July, and August.
Keep in mind that a full wetsuit restricts freedom of movement, and it can also quickly become too warm to wear if the water temperature is above 18 degrees.
To give your child the best experience with a wetsuit, it is important to choose the right size. A wetsuit that is too small will restrict freedom of movement. And a wetsuit that is too big will not provide the warmth it is designed for.
All wetsuit manufacturers have size charts for their own wetsuits, and I recommend that you follow them. If your child falls between two sizes, I recommend choosing the smaller one.
The most important thing is to prevent water from getting into the wetsuit, as this destroys the insulating effect. Even a slightly oversized wetsuit will let water in. So here it is best to compromise slightly on freedom of movement in order to retain the insulating effect.
A children’s wetsuit is undoubtedly quite an investment. On the other hand, it lasts a long time and will keep helping your child stay warm in the water, as long as you take good care of it.
That is why I have gathered my six best tips below on how to extend the lifespan of your child’s new wetsuit.
Rinse the suit both inside and out with fresh water immediately after use. If you are swimming in salt water and there is no fresh water nearby, hurry home and rinse it under your shower.
Hang the suit to dry inside out, preferably on a hanger.
Once the suit is dry, turn it right side out again so the outside is, well, on the outside. Hang it on a hanger and make sure it does not get crumpled up.
Avoid using sharp fingernails when putting it on and taking it off. Nails easily cause tears in the neoprene, so nails directly on the wetsuit are a no-go. A great tip is to wear thin cotton gloves when putting the suit on and taking it off, ensuring your nails never touch the neoprene.
Take your time getting in and out of the suit. If you rush taking the suit off or on — and especially when putting it on — you can easily tear through the thin neoprene if you pull too hard.
Should you happen to get a hole in your suit at some point — and you can be sure that will happen eventually, for one reason or another — you can easily patch the holes with specialized neoprene glue.
Now that you are investing in a great wetsuit for your child, I imagine your child would also love some fun and quality gear to pair with it.
With a bit of insider knowledge from the swimming industry, I have listed the types of equipment below that most people choose to combine with their wetsuit.
When your child is playing and splashing around in the water, you can be sure they will also want to be able to see clearly. That is why swimming goggles and masks for kids are among the most sought-after pieces of gear when heading to the pool or the beach.
There are tons of different types and models available. Take a look at the wide range of swim masks and goggles for kids here.
Whether heading to the beach or the local swimming pool, the experience can be even more fun with a variety of swim gear. Some gear is purely for play, while other equipment helps your child learn how to swim.
And if your child can already swim, the right swimming equipment will help them become an even better swimmer.
You can find a great selection of swimming gear for the pool and the sea right here.
A wetsuit alone is not always enough when heading into the water. You also need regular swimwear underneath. And ideally, it should look great and be high quality too.
Good swimwear lasts long, fits well, and looks stylish. You can find a collection of swimsuits for girls here and swimming trunks for boys here.
Even though a kids’ wetsuit is a fantastic piece of gear when heading to the beach or the swimming pool, there are actually not many shops that sell them. It is primarily specialist swim shops that sell wetsuits for children.
Here at Watery.ie, you’ll find one of the best selections of wetsuits for kids – and it’s also a safe place to shop. Our Trustpilot score is right at the top, with many customers highlighting their positive experiences.
Among other things, you get fast delivery, low prices, and customer support with expert product knowledge.
That’s why we recommend buying kids’ wetsuits from us at Watery.ie.
