Kids’ Wetsuits: How to Put Them On Without Tears

You’ve made it to the beach, the waves are calling, and your child wants to get in the water right away. Only the wetsuit still stands in the way – when it comes to a kids’ wetsuit, this is the classic sticking point. A leg gets stuck, the arm won’t go through, it pinches, it’s cold – and after three minutes the first tears start to flow. Many parents know this scene.

Yet a wetsuit is a great thing for kids: it keeps them warm, protects against sun and scrapes, and significantly extends their time in the water. Children cool down faster than adults, and with a wetsuit the fun lasts longer. The problem is almost always putting it on and taking it off.

We at FlipSoc show you how to do it without drama: the right size despite growth spurts, a child-friendly dressing routine, playful tricks, the path to independence and the essentials of safety by the water.

Why do kids need a wetsuit?

Kids need a wetsuit mainly because they cool down faster in the water than adults. Relative to their body weight, they have more skin surface and less insulating tissue – a wetsuit keeps them warm and so extends their time in the water.

There are other benefits too: the suit protects against sun, against scrapes on rocks or the surfboard, and against jellyfish or plants that scratch the skin. Many kids also feel safer in a wetsuit because it gives them a bit of buoyancy.

It can be used in lots of situations: beach holidays on the North Sea or the Atlantic, swimming in a cool mountain lake, surf or sailing courses, snorkelling or just splashing around at the lake in early summer. In high summer, with warm water and strong sun, also watch out for overheating on land.

What size should a kids’ wetsuit be?

A kids’ wetsuit should fit snugly but not squeeze – so it should fit exactly and not be bought “to grow into”. A suit that’s too big constantly lets cold water in and so misses its purpose.

Kids’ sizes are usually given by age or height. But don’t rely on age alone. Measure height and weight and compare them with the manufacturer’s size chart. Trying it on is best.

Fit check for kids’ wetsuits

• Neck: The collar fits snugly without cutting in. Your child can breathe and swallow freely.
• Arms up: Your child can stretch both arms above their head without it pulling in the crotch.
• Squat: Squatting down works without tension at the knees and back.
• No pockets: No large creases or air bubbles form on the back or stomach.
• Seals: Wrists and ankles fit closely without constricting.

You’ll find general tips on measuring and trying on in our guide to wetsuit size and fit.

What if your child quickly outgrows the wetsuit?

If your child is growing fast, it’s best to buy for just one season and then pass the suit on, or buy second-hand. A wetsuit “to grow into” isn’t a good idea, because it won’t keep them warm in the water.

• Buy second-hand: Kids’ wetsuits rarely wear out before they’re too small. Look for intact seams and a smooth-running zip.
• Pass it on: Siblings, friends or classified ads – a well-cared-for suit often has several owners.
• Rent: Many surf schools and water sports rental shops have kids’ sizes.
• Shorty instead of a full suit: In warmer water, a shorty is cheaper and forgives a bit more growth in the arms and legs.

When it comes to thickness, similar guidelines apply to kids as to adults. Because kids get cold faster, if in doubt go a little warmer. More on this in our article on wetsuit thickness by water temperature.

How do you put a wetsuit on your child without tears?

The best way is to put the wetsuit on your child while they’re sitting down, starting with the feet, and push the material up in small sections – calmly, without time pressure and with a fixed routine.

1. The right moment: Put it on while your child is dry, i.e. before they first get in the water. Dry skin slides better than wet or sandy skin.
2. Prepare the spot: A towel or mat underneath so no sand gets into the suit. If it’s windy, a sheltered spot.
3. Have them sit down: Your child sits, you kneel in front of them. That way nobody has to balance.
4. Legs: Bunch the suit legs down to the ankle, push the foot through, work the material over calf and knee bit by bit.
5. Stand up, hips: Pull the suit up to the hips and position it well in the crotch.
6. Arms: Bunch up the sleeve, push the hand through, push the material up. First one arm, then the other.
7. Zip: Keep hair and skin out of the zip, close it slowly, fasten the Velcro at the collar carefully.

Important: grip with your fingertips, not your nails, and never pull jerkily. A kids’ suit is thin, and delicate children’s skin easily gets pinched. We describe the complete basic technique for adults in our guide to putting on a wetsuit.

Which playful tricks help with putting it on?

Playful rituals distract and turn the annoying task of putting on the suit into a fixed, cheerful part of the day at the water. Kids cooperate much better when they get to play along.

• Transformation: The wetsuit is the “seal skin” or the “superhero suit”. The transformation is only complete once it’s fully on.
• Tunnel game: Hand and foot “crawl through the tunnel” and come out the other side.
• Countdown: Count together how long one leg takes. Next time, try to be faster.
• Reward in the water: Whoever is dressed gets to go in the water first or choose a game.
• Let a cuddly toy watch: For little ones, a spectator who “cheers them on” sometimes helps.

How can your child learn to put on their wetsuit on their own?

Your child becomes independent if you gradually hand over individual tasks – the easy ones first, then the harder ones – and practise together before it counts at the beach.

A good start is to let your child thread their legs in themselves while you help push the suit up. Then come the arms. You’ll usually still handle the back zip until your child can grab the pull cord confidently. Feel free to practise at home in the living room – without wind, sand and impatience.

It also helps to always keep the same order. Kids love routines. When every step has its fixed place, they know what comes next and feel capable.

FlipSoc for little hands and feet

The hardest moment is almost always when a foot or hand has to go through the tight seal. This is where the skin sticks to the neoprene and the child pulls back. Some parents use a plastic bag or a thin sock that the material slides over – it works, but it isn’t always practical, and a plastic bag doesn’t belong in children’s hands by the water.

Our FlipSoc works on the same principle, only reusable: pull the donning aid made of smooth ripstop nylon over the foot or hand, slip into the leg or sleeve, and the neoprene glides through the seal. Then pull it out and switch sides. This works wet or dry with classic jersey-lined kids’ wetsuits (fabric on the inside), and for many kids it turns the “tunnel” into a game they soon take over themselves.

What matters for children’s safety by the water?

The most important thing: never leave children unsupervised by the water – not even in a wetsuit. The suit provides buoyancy, but it isn’t a swimming aid and doesn’t replace swimming ability or supervision.

• Always within reach: Especially young children and non-swimmers should stay within arm’s length of an adult.
• Swimming aid if needed: If your child can’t yet swim confidently, they also need a suitable swimming aid or life jacket.
• Choose your swimming spot: Lifeguarded beaches and swimming areas are the better choice for kids. Pay attention to flags and signs.
• Watch for cold: Blue lips, shivering or chattering teeth are signals to get out of the water immediately.
• Visibility: A wetsuit in bright, eye-catching colours is easier to spot in the water than a black one.
• Sun: Face, hands and feet stay uncovered – don’t forget sun protection.

For health questions, for example about sensitivity to cold or pre-existing conditions, ask your paediatrician.

Kids’ wetsuit: how do you care for it properly?

Rinse the kids’ wetsuit with clean water after every use and let it air-dry in the shade, not in direct sun and not on the radiator. That way it will last until the next season or the next child.

Taking it off works the same way as putting it on: open the zip, peel the top down inside out, then strip off the legs. For kids, it helps to sit down while doing this. Afterwards, don’t stuff the wet suit into the bag crumpled up – hang it up as soon as possible.

Frequently asked questions about kids’ wetsuits

From what age can a child wear a wetsuit?

Wetsuits are available even for toddlers, often as a shorty or full suit in very small sizes. What matters is that the suit fits well and your child feels comfortable in it. A wetsuit never replaces supervision or a swimming aid for non-swimmers.

Should I buy a kids’ wetsuit one size up?

No, a wetsuit that’s too big constantly lets cold water in and then doesn’t keep your child warm. Buy the size that fits now and pass the suit on when it gets too small. Second-hand kids’ wetsuits are a good option.

Shorty or full suit for kids?

A shorty is enough when the water and air are warm, for example on a summer holiday in the south. In cooler water like the North Sea, the Atlantic or a mountain lake, a full suit is better because kids cool down quickly. If in doubt, choose something a bit warmer.

How do I get my child’s wet wetsuit back on?

A wet wetsuit sticks to the skin, especially at the wrists and ankles. Have your child sit down and push the material up in small sections. A donning aid made of smooth nylon like FlipSoc helps feet and hands glide through the seal more easily.

Is a wetsuit a swimming aid for kids?

No, a wetsuit does provide some buoyancy, but it isn’t a swimming aid and doesn’t replace a life jacket. Non-swimmers also need a suitable swimming aid. Children by the water should always be supervised by an adult.

Conclusion

A kids’ wetsuit extends the fun in the water – as long as putting it on doesn’t turn into a battle. A good fit instead of “to grow into”, a fixed routine sitting down, little games and patience make all the difference. Over time, your child will take over more and more steps themselves.

And for all the fun, one rule always applies: the wetsuit doesn’t replace supervision or a swimming aid.

To help feet and hands get through the “tunnel” more easily, take a look at FlipSoc – the donning aid for your wetsuit: for all sizes, reusable and with a 5-year warranty.