What to Pack for a Girl’s Swimming Holiday: Pool, Beach & Sun Protection Essentials

What to Pack for a Girl’s Swimming Holiday: Pool, Beach & Sunshine

Packing for a family holiday is exciting, but when children are involved, swimwear can be one of the easiest things to underestimate. Between hotel pools, beach days, waterparks, towels, goggles and sun protection, it’s worth planning ahead so your child has everything she needs to stay comfortable, protected and ready to enjoy the water.

To help parents pack smarter, we spoke to Laura Allen from Splash About, a UK children’s swimwear specialist that has been helping families enjoy the water for more than 20 years. Best known for designing practical swimwear and swimming products for babies and children, Splash About has built a reputation for creating products that combine comfort, safety and sun protection, making it a trusted choice for parents and swim schools alike.

Laura says: “One of the biggest mistakes parents make is only packing one swimsuit. Children often swim more than once a day on holiday, and swimwear rarely dries properly overnight in warmer climates. We always recommend packing at least two well-fitting swimsuits, along with UV protective swimwear for long days outdoors. A little preparation before you travel means children stay comfortable, protected and can simply enjoy being in the water.”

Why holiday swimwear needs to do more than look nice

Holiday swimming is much tougher on swimwear than a weekly lesson. Wave pools, water slides, full days at the beach and repeated trips to the hotel pool all put children’s swimwear through much more wear than an hour at the local leisure centre.

Good girls’ swimwear should stay securely in place, cope with regular use and remain comfortable throughout the day. A costume that gaps, rides up or loses its shape after a few wears is not something you want to discover once you’ve arrived at your destination.

When choosing swimwear, look for a secure fit, quick-drying fabrics and designs that can withstand repeated exposure to chlorine, saltwater and sunshine.

The Splash About holiday packing checklist

Drawing on more than two decades of experience helping families prepare for swimming lessons and holidays, these are the items the Splash About team recommends packing:

• 2 girls’ swimming costumes
• 1 girls’ rash vest with UPF50+ protection
• 1 UV Sun & Sea Suit for cooler water or extended beach days
• Spare swimwear
• Legionnaire hat
• Broad-spectrum sunscreen
• Goggles, plus a spare pair
• Quick-dry towel
• Waterproof swim bag
• Float Suit or Swim Vest for supervised swimming pool use only

Swimming aids should always be used under adult supervision and are not suitable for use in the sea.

The extras that earn their place

Some items might seem optional when you’re packing, but they’re often the things parents are most grateful they brought.

A legionnaire hat provides additional protection for the neck and ears, which are easy to miss when applying sunscreen.

A spare pair of goggles can save an unexpected trip to the resort shop if one pair gets misplaced or damaged.

A quick-dry towel takes up less luggage space, dries quickly between swims and is often more practical than a traditional beach towel.

A waterproof swim bag keeps wet swimwear separate from dry clothes, making the journey back to the hotel much easier.

Finally, packing at least two swimsuits means your child always has a dry costume ready, even if the first one hasn’t fully dried overnight.

Pool or beach: does it make a difference?

Yes, and it’s worth packing accordingly.

A hotel pool usually calls for little more than a well-fitting swimsuit, but beach days often involve much longer periods in direct sunlight, alongside exposure to wind, sand and saltwater.

For extended time outdoors, layering a rash vest or UV Sun & Sea Suit over a swimsuit provides additional coverage while allowing children to continue swimming and playing comfortably.

If your holiday includes both pool time and beach days, it’s worth packing for both environments.

What parents need to know about UV protection

Children’s skin is more sensitive than adults’, making effective sun protection particularly important during family holidays.

UPF50+ swimwear helps protect the skin it covers by blocking more than 98% of harmful UV rays, but it shouldn’t replace sunscreen. Exposed areas including the face, neck, hands and feet should still be protected with a high-factor sunscreen and reapplied regularly throughout the day, especially after swimming or towel drying.

Combining UV protective swimwear with sensible sun protection habits gives children the best protection during long days outdoors.

Costume, rash vest or UV Sun & Sea Suit?

Each serves a different purpose.

A girls’ swimming costume is the most versatile choice, making it ideal for hotel pools, swimming lessons and waterparks.

A rash vest provides extra UPF50+ protection across the shoulders, back and arms, making it a great option for beach holidays and outdoor swimming.

A UV Sun & Sea Suit combines additional warmth with greater body coverage, making it particularly useful for cooler water, breezy beaches or children who spend longer in the water.

For most family holidays, a combination of a comfortable swimsuit and either a rash vest or UV Sun & Sea Suit provides everything most children will need.

Making family holidays that little bit easier

Packing the right swimwear isn’t about filling your suitcase, it’s about avoiding the little inconveniences that can interrupt a great holiday.

With a couple of well-fitting swimsuits, practical accessories and the right level of sun protection, children can spend less time changing, drying off or feeling uncomfortable, and more time doing what holidays are all about, enjoying the water.

For parents looking to refresh their holiday essentials before they travel, Splash About offers a range of Girls Swimwear, including swimsuits, rash vests and UV Sun & Sea Suits designed to keep children comfortable and protected wherever their holiday takes them.

Guest Article.