bath fun
Children’s Mermaid Tail: These models are suitable for swimming
Many children want to have a mermaid tail that they can swim with
© Imgorthand / Getty Images
Hans Christian Andersen invented the fairy tale about “The Little Mermaid” in 1837. In 1989, Walt Disney filmed the story and triggered a real hype about the mythical creatures that are half human and half fish. Even today, many children want to be like Ariel and swim in the water with a flipper.
There are now a large number of children’s series that deal with mermaids: In addition to Disney’s own production “Arielle, the little mermaid”, there are also formats such as “H2O – suddenly mermaid” or “Mako – simply mermaid”. So it’s hardly surprising why so many children dream of being like their role models. It is primarily about the flippers with which mermaids (by the way: Arielle also has mermaids) glide through the water. Due to the high demand, the swimwear industry has responded to the hype and created special mermaid tails for children (and adults). What this is exactly and what parents should know before buying is summarized in this article.
What is a mermaid tail?
How could it be otherwise: The so-called “Mermaiding”, a diving and swimming sport that has become quite popular in the meantime, was invented in the USA – the land of unlimited possibilities. To glide through the water like a real mermaid (or mermaid), you need one mono fin made of latex or rubber, silicone or neoprene: In contrast to ordinary diving fins, of which you need one for each foot, this consists of only one element. This makes it almost impossible to walk with a mermaid tail. But you can imitate the typical swimming movements in the water perfectly. To round off the overall picture and to look like a real mermaid, the monofins are wrapped in flexible bathing fabric. In combination with a bikini top, which is already included in many sets, your child looks like a real mermaid.
Security note:
Your child should be able to swim confidently if they want to wear a mermaid tail. After getting dressed, “normal” movements in the water are not possible, so arm work and body tension are particularly important. This can quickly become a problem for unsure swimmers.
Buying tips: Parents should pay attention to this
There is now one large selection on mermaid fins for children, which – depending on the manufacturer – differ in terms of size and colour, material and design. To find the right model for your offspring, the following tips can help:
- The size: When buying, do not just base your purchase on the current height of your child, who is still growing. If the mermaid tail is to be worn for more than one season, it is advisable to choose one size larger. Nevertheless, make sure that it sits well and securely on the body (see table below).
- The material: Most materials are machine washable as they are classic swimwear fabrics. However, there are manufacturers whose mermaid fins have to be cleaned by hand – so it always makes sense to check what materials the fins are made of before you buy them.
And another tip:
There are also special ones mono fins without a mermaid design, with which the typical swimming movements in the water can be imitated.
Which size is right for my child?
Since not only the age but also the height of children plays an important role when buying a mermaid fin, the following table should serve as a small guide:
height | age of the child | recommended fin size |
1.10m – 1.20m | 4 to 6 years | max. 69 centimeters |
1.20m – 1.30m | 6 to 8 years | max. 74 centimeters |
1.30m-1.40m | 8 to 10 years | max. 79 centimeters |
And another tip for dressing:
Sit your child down first to prevent the fin blades from collapsing. Then the Mermaid Fin pulled up like pantyhose until they fit properly. To be on the safe side, you should check whether your child’s feet are firmly and securely inserted in the artificial tail fin.
You might also be interested in:
This article contains so-called affiliate links. There is more information here.