What this swimming skill is
Blowing bubbles is exactly what it sounds like: breathing out into the water, like cooling a spoonful of hot soup. It starts as a game at the surface. Over time it becomes a long, calm breath out with the mouth or nose under the water.
It is one of the very first breathing skills, and it comes early because it makes everything else easier. Once bubbles feel natural, your child learns to breathe in and out in a steady rhythm.
See it in action
Step 3: Bubbles & Breathing While Swimming
An AquaMobile instructor uses songs and games to teach mouth bubbles, nose bubbles and a first bob under the water.
From the AquaMobile YouTube channel
Why it matters
No more water up the nose.
A gentle breath out keeps water from rushing into the nose and mouth. That is what stops the stinging and the coughing.
Calmer in the water.
Children who hold their breath tend to tense up. Breathing out helps the whole body relax.
Easier breaths later.
When the air is already out, the next breath in is quick and easy. That is how swimmers avoid gulping water.
A game that builds confidence.
Bubbles are fun, and every small win makes putting the face in the water feel less scary.
Who it is for
Blowing bubbles with the mouth suits babies, toddlers and children from their very first lessons. Breathing out through the nose usually comes a little later, once your child can follow a simple request. Your child is ready when they are happy in the water, even if the face is still dry. Teens learn both ways, often in the same lesson. If you are learning as an adult and have always held your breath, this is often the skill that changes how the water feels.
Part 1 of 2
Starting with the mouth
The goal
Your child blows bubbles at the surface, then with the mouth under the water, without any fuss. The breath out is slow and steady, not one big puff.
Why it matters
A calm breath out through the mouth is the first step to comfortable breathing in the pool. It turns water near the face into something your child controls.
What happens in lessons
Bubbles on the surface first.
Your instructor starts with blowing on the water, like cooling soup, with the face nice and dry.
Making it a game.
Your child blows a small ball or toy along the water, or tries to make the biggest bubbles.
Lips touch the water.
When your child is ready, the lips go on the water, then the mouth goes just under. Your child chooses when.
Longer, slower bubbles.
Your child tries to make the bubbles last, which turns a quick puff into a calm, steady breath out.
How you can help between lessons
- Blow bubbles in the bath with the lips on the water. Always stay within arm's reach of a young child near any water, including the bath.
Common questions
- Why can't my child just hold their breath?
- Holding the breath works for a moment, but it makes the body tense and tired. It also means rushing to breathe out and in when the face comes up, which is how water gets gulped. Breathing out underwater makes every breath after it easier.
- My child blows bubbles but won't put their mouth under. What now?
- That is a very normal place to pause. Your instructor keeps the bubble games going at the surface and lets the mouth sink a little lower each time. Going at your child's pace works far better than pushing.
- What if my child cries?
- Tears are common in early lessons, especially around the face. Your instructor goes back to something your child enjoys and keeps the bubbles playful. Children usually relax once they feel in charge of when the face goes near the water.
- Should my child wear a nose clip?
- Some swimmers use one, and that is fine. Your instructor usually teaches breathing out through the nose first, so your child does not depend on a clip that can slip off. If a clip helps a very nervous child get started, just ask.
- I am an adult and I always get water up my nose. Can that change?
- Usually, yes. It is one of the most common worries adult beginners share. A slow, steady breath out through the nose keeps water out, and you practise it at the surface before any short dips.
