Stearns makes one of the most popular brands of US Coastguard-approved flotation devices – Puddle Jumpers. The Stearns Puddle Jumper Infant Hydroprene Life Jacket is designed for infants less than 30lb. This will fit most infants until they are ready for the child-weight range (around 25lb to 50lb).

Puddle Jumpers are approved by the Coast Guard and are considered a type III personal flotation device (PFD).

The Stearns Puddle Jumper clearly states that it is “US Coast Guard Approved when worn on boats”. It is meant for a child 30-50 lbs – perfect for about 2-4 year old kids (or even up to 5 if your kid is smaller and lighter than most).

The original Puddle Jumper life jacket from Stearns has enjoyed a long run of popularity with parents over the years. The Type V/III personal flotation device conforms to Coast Guard guidelines and is suitable for use on boats, at public pools, and in water parks with specific safety requirements.

Incorrect and Ineffective Posture Puddle jumpers and arm floaties are notorious for helping children develop ineffective swimming posture. These devices hold children in a vertical position — head up, feet down, arms out — causing them to use more of a bicycling motion in the water.

A Type II PFD is an approved device designed to turn an unconscious person in the water from a face downward position to a vertical or slightly backward position, and to have more than 15.5 pounds of buoyancy.

Coast Guard approved puddle jumpers are approved for boating, being superb swimming aids. However, they should only be used in certain circumstances such as when swimming and anchored down and some state laws might prohibit their use whilst the boat is in motion.

9 Best Life Jackets for Kids 2020

• Puddle Jumper Kids 2-in-1 Life Jacket and Rash Guard.
• O’Neill Child Reactor USCG Life Vest.
• Stohlquist Kids Life Jacket.
• Oceans7 Life Jacket.
• TRC Recreation Kids Super Soft USCG Vest.
• Stearns Puddle Jumper Deluxe Child Life Jacket.

The AAP recommends that children wear hats, sunglasses, and cover-ups. Clothing that offers extra UV protection is helpful. Swim shirts, which are also called rash guards, provide more protection from the sun than traditional bathing suits because of the long sleeves and the special fabric used.

The Stearns Puddle Jumper Infant Hydroprene Life Jacket is designed for infants less than 30lb. It is a Type II US Coastguard-approved device, which means it is safe to use on boats and will flip the wearer onto their back if they fall face down in the water.

6 Best Swim Floaties for Toddlers

• SwimSchool Grow-With-Me Water Floatie.
• Bodyglove Paddle Pal Swim Floatie.
• Speedo Begin-to-Swim Baby Cruiser Water Floatie.
• Speedo Kids Arm Floaties for Toddlers.
• Otter Wings Kids Water Floaties.
• SwimWays Baby Pool Float.
• More Gear Guides Like This.

Type II PFDs come in inherently buoyant, inflatable or hybrid designs. Type III PFDs are suitable for most paddlers where there is a chance for quick rescue. These PFDs are designed so wearers can put themselves in a face-up position, but they may have to tilt their head back to avoid being face down in water.

The reason why it works so great is because the design helps to lift kid’s chins out of the water, unlike a regular life jacket that tends to ride up and force kids to float more on their back. The Puddle Jumper lets kids lean forward more for to encourage swimming.

The Stearns Puddle Jumper clearly states that it is “US Coast Guard Approved when worn on boats”. It is meant for a child 30-50 lbs – perfect for about 2-4 year old kids (or even up to 5 if your kid is smaller and lighter than most).

The Type V/III personal flotation device conforms to Coast Guard guidelines and is suitable for use on boats, at public pools, and in water parks with specific safety requirements. The lower-cut Puddle Jumper doesn’t have shoulder straps, which can mean a more comfortable fit for some kids (and an awkward one for others).

If you have a toddler or young kid learning how to swim, then you have no doubt seen Stearns Kids Puddle Jumper Life Jackets. But many boaters wonder if they are actually a good life jacket alternative for boating. We have been using our puddle jumper on the boat for years.