Casts make life so difficult for children. As parents, it is heartbreaking to watch as your child has to suffer through the discomfort. Casts are itchy, heavy, uncomfortable, and worst of all, make it impossible to take a shower or swim without taking many protective steps or crafting a waterproof cast cover for a single shower.
However, when it comes to swimming, showing, and bathing with a cast-on, there are many ready-made options available to make you and your child’s lives a little bit easier. Enter waterproof cast covers.
Why Does Your Child Need a Cast Cover?
While the homemade version may suffice for a shower or two, taking a bath and swimming in a pool may require a more sophisticated cast cover solution. Water can be detrimental to your child’s cast, which in turn slows down their healing process.
In order for your child to safely shower, it is best to put a cover over the cast, allowing them to get clean and keep their cast nice and dry. Some children prefer to take baths. A waterproof cast cover will allow them to relax and take a bath, which will set your child on the path for a good night’s rest. Pediatric waterproof cast covers are essential in little ones who are too small to properly take showers where a bath is your only option.
The worst time for your child to break their arm is right at the beginning of summer. Nothing is more upsetting than looking forward to summer fun and swimming and watching all that fun go down the drain due to an injury.
A waterproof cast cover allows your child to keep active in the water while keeping their cast dry. This way, they will not miss out on any of the fun with their friends and family. Another bonus of the cast covers is they are entirely reusable. You just hang it up to dry, and it is ready for use the next day.
6 Best Waterproof Cast Covers For Children
Navigating cast care is a novel experience for most parents. We have rounded up the six best waterproof cast covers for children based on comfort, coverage, and reviews.
DryPro Waterproof Vacuum Sealed Cover
Best Overall
The DryPro Waterproof Vacuum Sealed Cover is made especially with your child and their new accessory in mind. The cast cover comes in sizes x-small to large, ensuring you will find the perfect fit for your child. It also has options for covering the entire arm or part of the arm. For a leg cast, you can get a partial leg cover or a full leg cover.
The cast cover gets pulled over their arm or leg to provide coverage. A pump, which is included, pulls the air from the interior of the cover. This, combined with the stretchy opening, seals it up, keeping the water out.
The DryPro is made out of surgical latex and provides a protective layer to your child’s cast. The best part about this is it will lay flat, so it will not feel cumbersome while your child swims or showers.
Pros:
- Fits kids three and up
- Kids cannot remove by themselves
- Four different sizes
- Reusable
Cons:
- Non-refundable, even if you order the wrong size
- Leaks if the seal does not close
Bloccs Waterproof Cast Cover Leg, Swim, Shower & Bathe
Best Full Leg Cast Cover
The Blocs Waterproof Leg Cast Cover can be used for swimming, bathing, or showering and comes in small, medium, or large. You can use their online sizing chart to determine the correct size for your child, ensuring a snug fit over the cast.
The cast cover can be submerged underwater and watertight to protect casts, dressings, and bandages. It is made from flexible rubber, making it easy to get on and off your child’s leg. You can reuse the cast cover repeatedly so your child can continue to enjoy fun in the water for as long as they are stuck in a cast.
Pros:
- Tight fit
- Waterproof seal
- Great for mealtime
- Also keeps out sand
Cons:
- Need to measure for a tight fit
- Dry off before removal
Cov-A-Cast Waterproof Cast Cover
Best Arm Cast Cover
One downside to pediatric arm or leg cast covers is that they can be kind of plain. For smaller children, this can make them less appealing to leave on for shower or bath time. One solution is the Cov-A-Cast Waterproof Cover. It is a superhero cast cover complete with a robot design reminiscent of Iron Man, which is sure to be an instant hit with your little adventurer.
The cover is made of high-quality silicone to prevent leaking and provide a tight seal. It is best suited for showering, bathing, and light swimming. It also comes with a storage bag to protect it while not in use and for easy carrying while traveling.
Pros:
- Comfortable fit
- Suitable for younger ages
- Easy to clean
- Reusable
Cons:
- Can leave an indent on child’s arm
- Best for shower and bath
Cast Covers for Shower by EzWashka
Best Patterned Cast Cover
This adorable fish pattern Cast Cover by Ez Washka is perfect for your little swimmer. The reusable latex cast cover comes in two sizes, toddler-little kid and big kid- adult. If you are searching for the perfect pediatric waterproof cast cover, this patterned option will be sure to entertain your child.
The two different size variations will help you find the best fit for your child. The toddler-size cast cover measures 18.5” tall by 9” at the top, which is an elastic neoprene for a comfortable fit on your child’s leg. However, the best part of the cast cover is it’s reusable for up to 8 weeks and can be used for casts, wounds, rashes, burns, and cuts.
Pros:
- Older children can put it on themselves
- Secure seal
- Engaging design
- Great fit for smaller children
Cons:
- Not for swimming
- Only two sizes
Sunby Upper Arm Sleeve Protector for Bath
Best Upper Arm Cast Cover
If you only need to cover a portion of your child’s arm, consider using the Sunby Upper Arm Sleeve Protector. This comfortable upper arm cast cover slips onto your child’s arm and fits easily over their cast to keep out water while they shower. The design of both the elastic ends is intended to keep water out but allow your child to get blood flow still while wearing the cover.
It is made from non-latex plastic and is completely reusable. The cover comes in small and large and is best for older children and adults. The small size measure 6” to 14.9”. The Sunby cover is perfect for protecting cuts, burns, wounds, and scratches from becoming wet while in the shower.
Pros:
- 3-month warranty
- Perfect for wound care
- Latex-free
- Easy to get on and off
Cons:
- Not suitable for pediatric use
- Need to measure for the appropriate size
Mighty-X Arm Cast Cover for Showering
Best Budget Cast Cover
If you are searching for a cast cover for your child that is waterproof but does not break the bank, then take a look at the Mighty-X Arm Cast Cover. This cover for showering comes in a set of three and can be easily put on and taken off without any additional help, which is perfect for older children. While this one won’t last you forever and will not hold up at the pool or the beach, it is an excellent option for getting through shower time.
On average, reviewers say they get about 3-4 uses per cover. Since it comes in a box of three, that’s about 12-16 uses per box. The covers are better suited for older children and adults since they come in a one size fits most model. The cover measure 23” by 9”, and its longevity can be extended by allowing it to air dry between uses. While it is not as fancy as some of the other waterproof cast covers, it certainly does the trick.
Pros:
- Easy to put on
- Hang to dry
- Keeps cast dry in the shower
- Does not require tape to seal
Cons:
- Too large for younger children
- Limited longevity
How to Measure For a Waterproof Cast Cover
Each brand will have specific measurements for the different sizes of cast covers. To find the best fit for your child, measure the circumference top of their arm or leg. After you measure the top part of their arm or leg, you can measure the length. MeasureTake the measurement from just about the cast to the bottom of their foot or tip of their fingers. For leg casts, there generally are foot measurements too.
Keep in mind that if a manufacturer provides age ranges for the cast covers, do not order by that recommendation alone. Taking measurements is the best way to ensure a proper fit over your child’s cast, and a properly fitting cover is more likely to keep the cast dry, saving you from a visit to the doctor to get your child’s arm or leg recast.
conclusion
While having a broken limb can be a major bummer for your child, finding the perfect pediatric waterproof cast cover can be a bright spot. With many options available, it isn’t easy to pick the best. However, based on experience and reviews, the DryPro cast cover is one of the best options for keeping your child’s cast nice and dry. It also gives you versatility allowing your child to swim, shower, or bathe easily.
