The 11 Best Kids’ Life Jackets for Summer

Safety is the name of the game when it comes to fun on the water with kids. But comfort is also key, especially if you’re hoping to introduce your kids to a lifelong love of swimming and boating.

Water wings and other blow-up toys are just that: fun ways to float your kids’ boats, but not life-saving devices in emergency situations. More children ages one to four die from drowning than any other cause, save birth defects, and the Centers for Disease Control stresses the need for life jackets in, around, and just outside of rivers, lakes, and oceans, even if children are confident swimmers.

Not every life jacket is made for every situation though, and we include a range of jackets that meet highly specific needs. Shopping for a life jacket is important, but with our guide, it doesn’t have to be stressful.

Looking for adult life jackets? Check out our story on the Best Adult Life Jackets for Every Water Sport.

Best Kids’ Life Jackets

What to Consider

It goes without saying that safety is the priority when it comes to picking a life jacket for your child. If you keep these considerations in mind, we think you’ll find the safest option for your child, without sacrificing the sense of fun and adventure summer water fun inspires.

U.S. Coast Guard-Approved

Every single one of the life jackets we included have been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, specifically with children’s safety on the water in mind. There are five different types of personal flotation devices (PFDs), and most of those we cover are "USCG Type III" (flotation aids). Type I are offshore life jackets; Type II are near-shore vests; Type IV are throwable devices; and Type V are special-use devices.

Fit

A life vest must fit properly to be safe and effective. It should fit snuggly; if it's too tight, chances are your kid has outgrown it and it won't provide sufficient flotation. A fastened vest should never rise above the face when a child is in the water; if it does, it's likely too large.

Weight

Weigh and measure the circumference of your child’s chest before clicking “buy.” Most life vests come in three ranges: 30 pounds and less, 30 to 50 pounds, and 50 to 90 pounds.

Materials

Life vest shells are typically made of nylon, polyester, or neoprene, with polyethylene (PE) or expanded polyethylene (EPE) foam, which is extremely buoyant and happens to be 100 percent recyclable.

Use

Your child is going to need a very different life jacket if they’re a non-swimmer exploring the pool for the first time, or a big kid who’s an experienced swimmer and wants to spend an afternoon kayaking.

Practice

One final pro tip, especially with kids 5 and under: Practice. Before heading out on the water, help your child put the jacket on and take it off so you can trouble-shoot. Then test the jacket in a controlled environment like a public or private pool, or in calm water with an adult supervising.

How We Selected

We reviewed professional recommendations first to get a sense of the safest and highest quality life jackets available. We also studied the U.S. Coast Guard’s recommendations and looked at consumer reviews to find the best, safest—and most fun-ready—options on the market. All of the life jackets we cover are highly rated items, with an average rating of 4.5 stars or more, from reputable brands including Stearns, O'Neil, and Body Glove.