Sharpies
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Kids LOVE to write on themselves--like seriously love it. They write their swim race numbers on their forearms and then anything they can think of all over the rest of their bodies, so a sharpie is essential. If you don't pack a sharpie how will other racers know to eat your kids bubbles?
Towel
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A big cozy towel is great for warming up, and a smaller, chamois towel is great for drying off quickly. Depending on your child and whether the pool is an inside or outside pool, you may want one or both types.
Mesh Bag
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Transporting wet suits and towels will quickly stink up a regular gym bag. Pack your kid's gear in a breathable, water-resistant mesh bag to minimize the funk.
Foldable Camping Chairs
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Swim meets can take up to eight hours and with so many parents and swimmers in an enclosed gym or pool area, it can be hard to find a seat. Bring folding lounge chairs and blankets to meets and turn long breaks between races into fun family time.
Cards--Or Electronic Games
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Back in the day, there was no better way to bond with your team than by playing cards during long swim meets. These days, kids have numerous electronic games to entertain themselves, but I'd pack the cards anyways--batteries do die sometimes.
Goggles
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I used to call my kids' swim lessons, "Goggle Management 101," because of how much time all the kids spent fiddling with their goggles. Finding good goggles is no small feat, but it's extremely important.
Uncomfortable, leaky or foggy goggles are distracting, and a distracted swimmer is a slower swimmer. Test your kid's goggles by pressing them to their face without putting on the strap. If the suction holds for a few seconds, it's a good fit.
Remember, the strap is to hold the goggles in place, not to provide the suction, so the strap shouldn't be so tight that it's uncomfortable or leaves marks on their face.
Swim Cap
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Swim caps protect hair from pool chemicals and reduce drag while swimming--oh, and they look reallyyy cool. Latex swim caps are the least expensive, so if your child loses sports gear regularly like one of my kids, picking up three of these at $3 apiece may be a good idea. Silicone caps are sturdier and less prone to tearing, and are around $10 apiece. This is my kids' preferred swim cap and it tends to pull hair less than the latex.
Suit
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Competitive swimming requires swimwear that doesn't creep up or need to be adjusted frequently. Most teams have team suits for competitions, but for practice, make sure girls' suits have snug straps that don't cut shoulders but stay in place, and a seat that doesn't ride up.
Boys' suits come in the traditional brief style, as well as the longer jammer style. Both are popular and should be worn snug to prevent drag in the water.
Towel
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A big cozy towel is great for warming up, and a smaller, chamois towel is great for drying off quickly. Depending on your child and whether the pool is an inside or outside pool, you may want one or both types.
Mesh Bag
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Transporting wet suits and towels will quickly stink up a regular gym bag. Pack your kid's gear in a breathable, water-resistant mesh bag to minimize the funk.
Foldable Camping Chairs
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Swim meets can take up to eight hours and with so many parents and swimmers in an enclosed gym or pool area, it can be hard to find a seat. Bring folding lounge chairs and blankets to meets and turn long breaks between races into fun family time.
Sharpies
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Kids LOVE to write on themselves--like seriously love it. They write their swim race numbers on their forearms and then anything they can think of all over the rest of their bodies, so a sharpie is essential. If you don't pack a sharpie how will other racers know to eat your kids bubbles?
Cards--Or Electronic Games
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Back in the day, there was no better way to bond with your team than by playing cards during long swim meets. These days, kids have numerous electronic games to entertain themselves, but I'd pack the cards anyways--batteries do die sometimes.
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