The 10 best tips for a stress-free day of swimming with children

A bathing day has a lot in common with a birthday: the children are almost bursting with anticipation, they laugh and cry in roughly equal measure and at the end of the day the parents are ready to eat. But the latter doesn't have to be the case. The following tips are based on years of experience and turn stress into a happy family experience. Have fun!

1. pack in peace

Don't underestimate the packing list for a children's swimming day! A bath towel and hose alone are not enough. Plan enough time and take it easy. A water trip like this requires nerves of steel.

If you're already stressed when you set off, don't be surprised if it builds up in the pool. The children are usually so excited that they can't keep their mouths shut. So: take it easy, really, right from the start. It's worth it.

2. invite a friend

This doesn't mean twice as much childcare - on the contrary: the child has someone at eye level with whom they can have fun, goof around, splash around or run around. Where they would otherwise bawl unrestrainedly in one-to-one care with adults, they are much more likely to pull themselves together with a peer.

This prevents stressful adult-child situations from arising in the first place. After all, spending time with other children is much more exciting and priorities are set completely differently. It's best to stay out of arguments. Children usually resolve conflicts quickly and easily.

3. select off-peak times

Going to the pool is fun, but not necessarily when everyone else has the same idea at the same time. In other words, at the weekend or on school-free Wednesday afternoons. You should therefore choose off-peak times, such as early in the morning or in the evening, when the otherwise packed pool is slowly filling up or emptying again.

The golden evening hours, for example, are a special treat with a delicious snack in your luggage. Peace and quiet returns and the chances of encountering a family of ducks or swans increase.

4. protect children's delicate skin

Our skin never forgets sunburn and even if the sky is cloudy, you can still get burnt. So be generous when applying a good sun cream (preferably protection factor 50) on a bathing day.

With a spray, the sunscreen is quickly absorbed and the children tend to keep still. What many people don't realise: Even waterproof sun creams need to be reapplied several times, as the protection disappears when the towel is rubbed off.

A day by the water also means double the UV radiation. From above and below, from the sky and the surface of the water, which reflects the light. The best way to protect your child's head is with a sun hat. There are also hats with neck protection for the little ones.

The best protection is in the shade of the trees: make sure that your child takes a siesta at lunchtime, i.e. between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and rests in the shade.

5. first aid kit for Bobos

It usually happens in a flash: your child falls over and grazes their knee or steps on a bee or runs into another child. It is therefore practical to have your own first aid kit to hand for minor wounds and stings. It's quicker than going to the first-aid corner and a few coloured plasters and sweet globules usually soothe the sobbing child quickly.

6. think about eating and drinking

A day by the water makes you hungry and thirsty! Seasonal delicacies taste particularly good now. Pack cherries, strawberries, watermelons, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and whatever else you like in sealable containers. Bananas and anything that quickly turns mushy or brown are less suitable.

A proper snack on a pretty picnic blanket also feels twice as festive. Remind your child regularly to drink water and even if it's tempting, don't feed ducks and swans. Our stale bread is not good for the animals' stomachs.

7. get out of your wet swimming trunks and into your dry ones

The feeling of sitting around in wet swimwear for a long time is not nice. And if there's a cool wind, it's even more unpleasant. So always pack a second dry set of swimwear or normal clothes that your child can slip into if necessary.

8. games make the bathing day easier

A child doesn't like to be in the water non-stop, even on a bathing day. At some point, they will have had enough splashing around and will be happy to play games they have brought with them. Particularly luggage-friendly games on land are: Frisbee, ping-pong, card games, a book or sand moulds. If your child really wants to stay in the water, inflatable toys or beach balls will give them a new lease of life.

9. mobile phone away!

Our smartphones are both a blessing and a curse. They have no place in the pool! The responsibility for your child lies with you and not with the lifeguard. Did you know that drowning is the second most common cause of accidental death in children up to the age of 15? Find out more in the article «When can children go swimming alone?».

If you are constantly looking at your mobile phone, you are distracted and also a bad role model for your children (hello, nice weather, hello playing outside). Be present, live in the now and enjoy your child's capers.

10 Reduce your wallet to the essentials

You're not always sitting next to your bag in the pool and thieves have an easy game. Switch to a light wallet version for your day at the pool. A few coins, a note or just your bank card will do. Put it in an inconspicuous plastic case and stash it in the depths of your swim bag.