Are Kids Puddle Jumper Life Jackets Safe for Boating?

Coast Guard approved Puddle Jumper Life Jackets can help toddlers and kids learn to swim faster – but their use on a boat may be limited

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. Although it is US Coast Guard Approved, we believe that it should be used in certain circumstances on the boat - like anchoring out and swimming. Due to design's ability to be easily removed, a standard life jacket should still be used when underway.

(see our recommended Puddle Jumpers below!)

Using Puddle Jumper Jackets on a Boat

The puddle jumper is designed to give kids more confidence in the water by combining the security of floaties or “swimmie” arms with a flotation pad that goes across the chest that attaches to the flotation arms. One large strap is fastened in the back with a secure clasp (using a clasp similar to the ones found on regular life jackets).

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).

We started using the Stearns Kids Puddle Jumper Life Jacket with our first daughter when she was about 2 ½ years old. She wasn't quite ready to swim at first, but by the end of that summer she was practically doing laps in the pool at our marina. We also used it on the boat when anchored out in the river.

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. It also offers more stability than a regular life jacket – and definitely better than just floatie arms.

One drawback however, is that when out of the water the puddle jumper can slide down since there is nothing over the shoulders to hold it up. The design works best in the water, but has some issues when they are in & out of the water.

Swim Vest Alternative

If you're looking for a swim vest that offers a little bit more flexibility & security, check out these USCG approved swim vests. They solve the problem of the puddle jumper slipping down if your child is in & out of the water. These swim vests are also very neutral colors that coordinate more stylishly with kid's swim suits.

Our Puddle Jumper has also held up amazingly well over the years. Our first daughter wore it from about 2 ½ to almost 5 years old, and our second daughter has now started wearing it the summer she turned two. So we have had the Puddle Jumper for 4 years now and it is still in great shape.

Here's a QUICK video demo of her swimming with her Stearns Puddle Jumper Life Jacket.

Puddle Jumper vs Youth or Toddler Life Jacket

While the Puddle Jumper has been great for our girls in the pool and anchored out, we still choose to use a regular toddler life jacket when our boat is underway… and even walking on the dock at our marina. As a parent there are several safety concerns that I have about using the Puddle Jumper in place of a regular life jacket all the time around a boat.

First, the toddler life jackets that are Coast Guard approved have a heads-up flotation feature that I feel is important for little kids if they were to fall in the water.

Second, although a Puddle Jumper Jacket fits securely and I don’t worry about the back strap coming off, there are times when the floatie slides down the arms – but only when out of the water. When in the water, the sleeves stay up just fine because the water pushes it up. But when walking around on a boat or a dock it can slide down if your child is younger or on the slim side.

Finally, I prefer the safety loop at the top attached to the top of the heads-up flotation feature on regular toddler life jackets when walking down the dock. It’s an extra safety feature to be able to hold onto the loop and keep little kids from wander too close to the edge of a dock.

Here are our Top 5 Picks for Toddler life jackets designed for kids 30-50 lbs.:

Deluxe vs. Basic Puddle Jumper Jackets

There is a slight difference in price and quality with the Stearns Puddle Jumper Jackets labeled as “deluxe” and other brands that are more “basic”. Stearns Deluxe may be slightly more money (though not much) and definitely seem to be better quality.

I chose to pay a few dollars extra to buy the jacket labeled as “Puddle Jumper Deluxe” because they have more padding across the chest (making a difference in the buoyancy for kids) and they just seem to be better quality. And I have been able to do a side by side comparison with another kid that appeared to have the basic Puddle Jumper jacket. Our deluxe puddle jumper has lasted for YEARS and multiple kids!

Both versions come in a lot of cute styles with age appropriate characters for boys and girls. Our red ladybug Puddle Jumper Jacket (shown in these pictures) was purchased years ago and the style may not be currently available, but you can still find similar styles and designs (if not same ladybug design we had).

As a mom, I highly recommend this product for any kid learning to swim… and as a boater I think it can be a great Coast Guard approved swimming aid at a boat. But as I mentioned, my preference is to swap it for a standard youth life jacket when cruising or walking on a dock.

NEW: Body Glove Paddle Pal Life Jacket

There is a new product on the market that I think solves many of the concerns I have with the Puddle Jumper. Similar in style to the standard Puddle Jumper, the Body Glove Paddle Pal Life Jacket features a built-in vest, eliminating the concern of the Puddle Jumper easily sliding down when not in the water.Paddle Pals are a US Coast Guard approved learn-to-swim aid  as a Type III Childs PFD for recreational boating. Child (30-50lbs).

Puddle Jumpers and Paddle Pals are all one size fits all and available in a lot of cute styles for boys and girls.

Shop Puddle Jumpers & Paddle Pals:

Swim Vest Alternatives: