A question commonly asked in the floating world is if children are allowed to float. While the answer to this question resides solidly with the parents and comfort of the child, we do have some guidance and suggestions of how you can make this work.
First, children can absolutely float and patriciate in float therapy. The only caveat is that minors participating in floatation therapy should be comfortable in water, comfortable in darkness, and be a bit older. Around 10 or older is the recommended age.
How Can Children Benefit From Floating?
For adults, floating can reduce stress and tension, increase focus and creativity, as well as give your muscles a 30, 60, or 90 minute stretch of relaxation. Well, these very same float benefits apply to children as well. While children may not have the same types of life stresses as adults, they certainly carry stress in their own ways. Common among children are stresses of being tired, growth, or even issues at home. And just as floating helps adults cope with these stresses, floating can also help older kids cope with theirs as well.
The obvious benefit to children is being in a warm, dark room where they can relax and possible sleep for 60 minutes. Another benefit is that the calm of a float tank may give kids time to think about their day, their actions, or maybe what they would like to achieve. It can be quite challenging to get kids to focus on these types of things with all the sensory input of home or school.
Will My Kids Be Safe While Floating?
This is the most important question about children participating in float therapy. While kids may enjoy the float session, their safety is the number one priority of everybody involved. One common method of ensuring children's safety while floating is maintaining contact with a parent. Many of the parents who let their children float stay in the room with their kids for the duration of the 60 minute float. They may leave the tank door open and keep the room lights low. Or they may even close the door, but stay within earshot of their child. There's no correct method here, only what works best for you and your child.
Fears of drowning are also a major concern for parents thinking about letting their kids use a float tank. While always a fear, you should rest easy knowing that the water depth is only 10 to 12 inches and older kids are very unlikely to be harmed in this shallow depth of water. Also, the high salinity levels of the water would immediately alert an individual, including a child, to any drowning dangers they were exposed to.
It's not uncommon for people to fall asleep in float tanks. The high levels of salt keep your body easily afloat. Because of this, it's very difficult to roll over while floating in a tank. There is little to no fear of an older child falling asleep and drowning in a float tank.
Another option to consider is a couples sized float tank. An adult and a child can easily float together in a tank designed for two adults. Read our couples float guide post for more information about floating with a partner.
Conclusion
In summary, children can certainly participate in float therapy as long as their guardian maintains a proper lookout and safety. That can be as simple as being present in the room during their float, or even floating with them. Whatever you choose, just make sure to be attentive and available for any of their needs.