Kids' Swimsuits

Choosing kids' swimsuits is a breeze when you know what to look for.

Choose the right suit for summer fun!

Undeniably, kids' swimsuits take a beating each season. They alternate between swimwear and play wear, becoming stretched, snagged and faded along the way. Seams begin to fray, and before you know it, that suit you purchased at the beginning of the season looks like last year's hand-me-downs.

Even if your kids' swimsuits don't get a lot of wear and tear, there's still another common problem to deal with: kids just never seem to stop growing! The suit you bought in June doesn't always fit all the way through September.

What's a parent to do? Honestly, the best thing you can do is go with the flow, and replace your children's swimsuits as needed, but the following tips should help you pick out swimwear that will last longer and offer your children a little added protection from the elements.

Inexpensive suits are not necessarily the best bargain. It may seem like it's not worth investing a lot of money in a child's swimsuit that is going to take a lot of abuse, but in fact the opposite is true. Many of the higher end children's swimsuits are made with performance fabrics that offer far greater durability than the cheap, low-grade Lycra bathing suits you'll find in droves at discount department stores.

Speedo swimsuits lead the industry in fabric development. Their superior Lycra blends resist the effects of chlorine, so suits retain their elasticity longer and don't fade so quickly. Speedo's XD fabrics actually resist absorbing water, and when your child's suit dries out quicker there's less time for wet fabric to chafe and cause sore spots. That's a definite plus.

As the ozone layer depletes, the effects of ultra violet rays are increased, and your child's delicate skin is at risk not only for a painful sunburn, but for skin cancer as well. Sunscreen lotion plays a vital role in your children's safety, but there are a couple of other things you can do to protect your little ones as they play in the surf and sun:

• Choose bathing suits made with UV protective materials with a UPF factor of 50+.
• Choose styles that cover your children's bodies. Wet suits are one of the hottest fashion trends in kids' swimsuits, and offer extra protection in high exposure areas around a child's shoulders, torso, and thighs. These suits will also keep kids warmer when water temperatures drop.

Better-made swimsuits are often made with Spandex side panels that offer a little extra "give" to accommodate your child's growth over the season.

The most common mistake many of us make with our kids' swimsuits is machine washing and drying them. Harsh detergents contribute to fabric fade, while the high temperature inside a machine dryer breaks down elastic fabrics. Always use a cleaner formulated especially for swimwear, and be sure to wash suits after each day's swim. This will remove chlorine and other pollutants before they have a chance to do any real damage.

If your child is one of those who practically live in their swimsuits during the summer, then you know just how much wear a bathing suit can accumulate. We hope our tips will help you choose swimwear that not only fits great, but lasts the season through.

• Splashkins.com, a source for UV protective children's swimwear.
• SpeedoUSA.com, a source for children's performance swimwear.

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