How to Pack for Swimming (Girls)

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: January 25, 2023 References

Whether you're taking a dip in the local pool, visiting a beach, or relaxing at the lake, there are some important things you'll want to bring with you when you go to swim. Pack essentials, such as sunscreen, water, and a towel. To add some fun to your trip, bring things like swim toys or a book to read. Pack a change of clothes for after you're done swimming, as well as any toiletries you might need, so you're feeling fresh and clean.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Gathering the Essentials

1
Find a bag large enough to hold all of your swimming supplies. This could be a backpack or tote bag. If you’re thinking about bringing food or drinks, choosing an insulated bag is a good idea to keep everything nice and cold.^{[1]
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- It’s a good idea to pick a bag that’s waterproof or easily washed in case it gets wet or dirty.
2
Pick out a bathing suit to wear swimming. Change into your bathing suit before you leave home, or stash it in your bag to change into at your destination. Wear a swim suit appropriate for the kind of swimming you’ll be doing, making sure it fits you well.^{[2]
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- For example, if you’re going to a swim meet, a one-piece bathing suit will work well, while a two-piece bathing suit is great for lounging by the pool or at the beach.
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3
Put together an outfit to wear over your bathing suit. This could be a pool cover up, shorts and a T-shirt, or a dress that’s easy to slip on and off. Wear water-friendly shoes as well, like flip flops, sandals, or closed-toe pool shoes.^{[3]
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- Pick out clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting wet.
4
Collect your phone, wallet, and keys. If you'll need your ID or any money, make sure you bring your wallet, placing it in a plastic bag to keep it from getting wet if desired. Bring your phone and home/car keys with you too.^{[4]
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- Place your cell phone in a plastic bag as well to keep it dry if it doesn't already have a waterproof case.
- Stash your valuables in a locker if one is available.
- If there isn't a safe spot to keep your things, hide them under a towel or at the very bottom of your bag.
5
Carry sunscreen and bug spray if you'll be outdoors. Pick out sunscreen for your body and face, either in a spray or rub-on form. Check to make sure you have enough sunscreen to cover your entire body before leaving home.^{[5]
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- Bug spray is another good thing to have on-hand if you’ll be in a buggy area.
- Remember to wait for the sunscreen to absorb into your skin before getting in the water if you’re swimming outside.
6
Pack a towel to lay on or help you dry off. Choose a towel that’s big enough to lay out on or wrap around your body. Thin beach or pool towels are great to bring, as they’re easier to fit in a bag and fold up easily.^{[6]
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- Towels designed specifically for the beach or pool are better at withstanding sand and sun.
7
Bring sunglasses and a hat to shield yourself from the sun. Sunglasses are super important to keep harmful UV rays from your eyes, and a hat will protect your face from the sun while keeping it out of your eyes as well. Pack sunglasses and a hat that you don’t mind getting wet.^{[7]
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- A baseball cap, sun hat, or bucket hat are all great options for keeping the sun off your face and neck.
8
Add goggles or swim caps to your bag for more serious swimming. Pick out goggles that fit around your head without being too loose or tight. If you’re going to a swim meet or want to practice swimming seriously, pack a swim cap in your bag to wear over your hair.^{[8]
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- You can purchase goggles or swim caps at your local big box store, sports equipment store, or online.
9
Bring plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Pack bottled water or fill up a reusable water bottle to bring with you. If you want your water to stay cold, put it in an insulated cup or pack ice packs with it.
- You can also bring other drinks like lemonade or juice boxes.
- Bring at least two bottles of water with you if you’ll be swimming for several hours.
10
Include snacks in your bag for when you get hungry. Pick out snacks that will give you a boost of energy and travel well. If you’re picking out snacks that are cold, pack them in a small cooler or place them in a small plastic bag with ice packs around them to keep them cool.^{[9]
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- Check to make sure wherever you’re going allows food.
- Snacks like trail mix, granola bars, berries, or bananas are great snacks to bring with you.
- Peanut butter or cheese crackers and popcorn are also good food options.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Packing for a Shower After Swimming

1
Pick out a change of clothes. If you’re planning on changing into a new outfit after your swim, pack a dress or shorts and a shirt to change into. Don’t forget any necessary undergarments, like a bra, underwear, or socks.^{[10]
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- Pack your change of clothes in a separate plastic bag that you place inside your large bag to be sure they don’t get wet or dirty.
2
Bring shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and a washcloth if you plan on showering. If the place where you're swimming has a shower, it’s a good idea to rinse the chlorine or salt water off of you. Pack body wash, shampoo, and conditioner in your bag so you can rinse off easily.^{[11]
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- Use small travel size bottles of shampoo and soap to make carrying them easier.
3
Pack a brush or comb to detangle your hair. It’s likely that your hair will be a bit tangled after you swim. Bring a comb to brush out the tangles after you’ve showered or just dried off, keeping your hair nice and shiny.^{[12]
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- A comb works best on wet hair, though a regular brush will work too.
4
Carry a waterproof bag with you for your wet things. This could be a special waterproof bag or just a plastic bag that zips. You can put your wet bathing suit in the bag, as well as your towel and any other things that are damp.^{[13]
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- Close the bag containing any wet things so that it doesn’t get the rest of your belongings wet.
5
Add an extra towel to your bag to help you dry off. Use this towel after you take a shower, or just as an extra towel in case your other one gets too wet to use. Choose a compact, thin towel so that it fits in your bag nicely.^{[14]
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- If you don’t want to use a full-size towel, consider just bringing a smaller towel for your hair.
6
Include any necessary toiletries in your bag. This includes things like lotion, deodorant, and lip balm. Bring tampons or pads to take care of any feminine hygiene needs while you're away from home. You can put these items in their own small bag, or just throw them in your larger swimming bag so that everything’s together.
- Bring a small bottle of lotion to put on your legs or arms if they’re feeling dried out.
- Lip balm is useful if your lips are feeling chapped from the sun.
- Pack makeup or makeup wipes to use before or after swimming if desired.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Adding Entertainment Items

1
Pack dive toys to play with in the pool. If you’ll be swimming in a pool just for fun, bring toys in your bag that you can use to entertain yourself. Dive toys are fun to use to practice swimming to the bottom of the pool, and they come in lots of different shapes and sizes.^{[15]
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- Choose dive sticks that are shaped like thick markers with a weight that pulls them to the bottom of the pool.
- If you don’t want to buy dive toys, throw pennies into the bottom of the pool to try to retrieve.
- Make sure you’re allowed to use dive toys at the pool where you’re swimming.
2
Pick out a book to read next to the pool, beach, or lake. Reading is a great activity to do when you need a break from swimming. Pack a book or magazine in your bag to keep you entertained.^{[16]
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- While hopefully it won’t happen, it’s possible that your books might get wet being next to the pool, so bring ones that you don’t mind getting splashed on a little.
- You might bring a journal and pen to write instead of reading.
3
Bring headphones or a speaker to play music. Attach the headphones to your phone or portable music player to listen to the music by yourself, or sync the music with portable speakers so everyone can hear music. Remember that you’ll be near water, so choose electronics that can withstand drops of water.^{[17]
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- Bring headphones to listen to music while you lay by a public pool, or bring a small speaker to listen to music at the beach.
- Be aware of others around you and don’t play music loudly if you’re in a public place.
4
Include a float to lounge on in the water. This is a great thing to pack if you’re going to hang out at a friend’s pool. Bring a small float that will be easy to blow up, deflating it once you’re done to pack it back in your bag.^{[18]
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- Some public pools don’t allow floats, so be sure to ask before bringing one.
- Floats can be dangerous to use in the ocean or lake if the water is rough, so use caution.
5
Add any other games or toys you think you might need. If you’re at a long swim meet, you might want to bring a deck of cards or other small game to play while you’re waiting. If you’re spending time at the pool, you might bring pool toys, noodles, or fins. Find any other small activities you might like to do and pack them in your bag if desired.^{[19]
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- Avoid bringing more than one or two activities, as having extra things in your bag will weigh it down.
- Remember to only bring games or toys that are okay to use in or around water.
6
Pack the items you'll need first on top. When you’re packing your bag, think of the things you’ll need immediately, like your sunscreen and towel. Pack these things last so they’re on top, making it easy for you to get to them.^{[20]
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- Things you won't need until the end, like your change of clothes, can be packed at the bottom of the bag.
- Lay all of your items out before packing them so you can arrange them in the right order in your bag.

Community Q&A

Question

Do you need goggles if you're swimming in a chlorinated pool?

Community Answer

It's not essential but you are more likely to have irritated eyes from chlorinated water than not, as the chemical is quite strong. It would be recommended to wear them if you plan on keeping your eyes open under the water.
Question

What hairstyle should I wear going swimming?

Community Answer

A ponytail or bun is ideal. Other hairstyles will get much more tangled.
Question

What hair style should I use?

Community Answer

Use a simple hairstyle like a ponytail or braid that will keep your hair our of your face.