Water Safety for Kids

Resources to help your child learn about water safety while having fun in and around water.

Longfellow the Whale helps kids learn to "Do your part, be water smart!"

Presenting WHALE Tales: Water Habits Are Learned Early

Meet Longfellow! His WHALE Tales are short, engaging and age-appropriate videos that teach important water safety topics. Each lesson centers on a memorable rhyming phrase to help children retain what they've learned.

We have content designed for Kindergarten through second graders, as well as for third through fifth graders. Encourage your child to watch the video, do the activity sheet for their age group, and then take a quick 3-question quiz to help them demonstrate what they've learned and take pride in their new knowledge! A parent and caregiver guide is available to help you enhance their learning.

Please note: younger children may need help printing the activity sheets and reading the quiz questions.

more resources for parents and caregivers

Teaching a Group? View Resources for Instructors

WHALE Tales Lessons 1-9

Lesson 1: Do Your Part, Be Water Smart

Lesson 2: Swim as a Pair With a Lifeguard There

Lesson 3: First Look Around: Is the Scene Safe and Sound?

Lesson 4: Don’t Just Pack It, Wear Your Life Jacket

Lesson 5: Play It Smart at Your Home, Pool or Park

Lesson 6: Wave, River or Tide, Water Smarts Are Your Guide

Lesson 7: Think So You Don't Sink

Lesson 8: Reach or Throw, Don't Go

Lesson 9: Stay Calm, Think It Through and You Can Know What to Do

Resources for Parents and Caregivers

These resources will help you learn more about water safety and support you in teaching children about water safety.

WHALE Tales Parent & Caregiver Guide

How to teach important swim and water safety concepts.

Parent and Caregiver Guide

Activity Sheet Answer Key

Orientation to Swim Lessons for Parents and Caregivers

This FREE online course can help you get the most out of Red Cross swim lessons.

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Be an Ambassador for Water Safety Course

Take this FREE online course and help your community thrive by teaching kids and adults about water safety.

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Water Safety for Parents & Caregivers Course

Our FREE online course helps parents and caregivers learn the basics of water safety.

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Seguridad en el Agua para Padres y Cuidadores

Nuestro curso en línea GRATUITO ayuda a los padres y cuidadores a aprender los conceptos básicos de la seguridad en el agua.

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Downloadable Content

Longfellow the Whale Cutout

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Screenshot from the Red Cross Swim App showing updated Whale Tales content

Your child’s personal safety engaging in this content is of utmost importance to us. Using this material is not a substitute for formal instruction by a properly certified swimming instructor. We suggest that you use a certified swimming instructor that you trust to assist your child’s transition into swimming. We take reasonable measures to ensure the accuracy and completeness of this content; but, do not warrant the accuracy and completeness of the content. We are not liable for any loss or claim arising out of any event beyond our reasonable control and reserve the right to make changes or corrections to this content, from time to time.