How to go swimming with kids

Most important: Icelandic people have many kids and are very helpful if they see someone with a small kid. So you don't need to be afraid of entering a hot pool with your kid. Even if it is rather small.

I will list some information and life saving tips and tricks that made it much easier for us to go swimming with my daughter and step-daughter:

• You can buy swimming diapers in most pools

• If you are insecure try going to the swimming pool at times when there are not too many people. This will make your bathing experience way less stressful.

• Don't hesitate to take and ask for help. Most people will ask you if they see that you are with a kid and need help but also don't hesitate to ask for it. People in Iceland are very kid friendly.

• In the showers you can find baby bathtubs and baby chairs. When showering they are very helpful as the adult can shower and dress while having a good place for the kid.

• Go rather to local pools than the big hot pools like Secret Lagoon, Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon. These places are definitely beautiful but not so much fun for smaller kids. Local pools like the pool in Þórlákshöfn and Selfoss have playgrounds for the kids. If you don't want to go outside with your kid then the pool in Þórkákshöfn has its pool with playground inside. Especially with smaller kids this is much nicer.

• Pools in Iceland are not built for staying there for a long time. You go swimming and then leave the pool. So you don't need many swimsuits to change but I would recommend 2-3 towels. I find it much easier as small children feel cold very fast so you can exchange the wet t owel to a dry one while getting the cloths from the locker.

• Swim items like water wings are available in most pools. They are usually located right when leaving the changing rooms. To be sure you can ask for it at the reception.

My packing list when we go swimming with our kids:

• swim diapers

• 2-3 towels

• changing cloths

• normal diapers

• baby oil

• something to drink (also for me)

• a hat (if you want to go in an outside pool)