Water Safety Worksheets for Kids

Whether it’s the tub, the pool, the lake or the ocean, kids need to be supervised constantly around water. Especially when they’re younger, children are at risk around water. So teaching kids how to be safe around water is vital. Use these free water safety worksheets for kids to help you teach your kids without scaring them.

Rule number one for water safety is to supervise your child. No amount of water safety teaching can replace direct supervision by a parent or caregiver. Children can drown in just a few inches of water, so keeping your eyes on them is essential to their well-being.

>> See more health worksheets for kids

water safety worksheets on a table next to a cup of coffee

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Recommended Water Safety Books for Kids

As much as we want to keep our kids safe, and teach them how to be safe, we also don’t want to scare them away from fun and necessary things. So use one of our recommended water safety books for kids to teach them how to be safe around water in a gentle way.

Saturday Is Swimming Day 1, 2, 3, Jump!Leo Can Swim Froggy Learns to Swim I See Summer What Would You Do?: A Kid’s Guide to Tricky and Sticky Situations

Giving your kids swimming lessons is one of the best and most effective ways of teaching water safety. You can start as young as just 1 year old. Most babies and toddler swim classes are parent-participating and focus more on fun, not being afraid of the water, and survival skills — like how to roll on their back and float.

Learning how to swim is just one part of water safety, however. Learning where to swim can be just as important. Knowing about slippery rocks and banks, fast moving water, or shallow water dangers can keep your kids safe around water too.

And learning about other, more subtle, water dangers might be a good idea too. Teach your kids about dangerous animals in the water (like jellyfish at the ocean, or snapping turtles at the lake). And to avoid things like pool drains, where hair or fingers can get caught.

You may also want to learn about the signs of drowning. Unlike the movies, drowning can be quick and silent. Keeping your kids safe around water means learning for parents too!

The rules of water safety

Teach your kids the rules about water safety. Common sense things like never swimming alone, playing safe games, and wearing life vests may not be obvious to your kids, so don’t assume they know. You also may want to teach them about specific situation rules, like when to get help (don’t jump in after a friend!) or how to behave at a pool (no running on the pool deck).

Don’t forget about the water safety helpers and their tools. Teach your kids about lifeguards and who to look for in case they get lost at a beach or pool. And you can also show them how to put on a life vest or safety buoy. You can also teach them how to relax when someone else is holding them in the water so that they don’t panic and put both people in danger.

These water safety worksheets can be a fun way to get the conversation started. Grab yours here.

Recommended Water Safety Accessories

It’s better to prepare for your next beach holiday or pool swimming. Check out these water safety accessories that your child will love. Remember that they are just accessories and should always be used with adult supervision.

Zeraty Toddler Swim Vest, Floaties for Toddlers, Kid Vest Floation Swimsuit Swimwear with Adjustable Safety Strap for Unisex Children Butterfly Flower S 8-18kg/17.6-39.6lb Age 1-3 L-RUN Boys Girls Swim Shoes Kids Summer Beach Shoes Athletic Swim Shoes Horse 12.5-13=EU30-31 MoKo Swim Vest for Kids 46-77 lbs, Swimming Safety Assistance Children Swimsuit Swimming Training Swimwear Cute Pattern Watersports Swimming Vest for Toddlers Boys Girls, L Size, Indigo Kids Swim Vest for Children Learn Swimming Training, Faxpot Toddler Swim Aid Floats with Shoulder Harness Arm Wings for 30-60 lbs Boys/Girls Sea Beach Pool (Dolphin-Blue)Dark Lightning Toddler Swim Vest for 30-50 Pounds, Kids Floaties for Pool/Puddle, Child Swimmies Water Arm Wing for Swimming Safety Trainer Kids Pool Floats Swim Vest Life Jacket for 2-6, Toddler Arm Floaties Swim Aid with Water Wings and Shoulder Strap, for 30-50 Pounds Boys and Girls, Children Puddle/Beach, As A Jumper (Red Fish)

While there can be a lot of dangers for children near water, it can also be a fun, happy place to play. Teaching our kids water safety will make sure that water remains something that’s fun to play with, and not scary at all. So start with these water safety worksheets.