A child carrier and swimming aid allows a caregiver to carry a child in pressing relation to the caregiver's torso and allows the device to be used in the water. The adult dons a harness and places the child into a vest, which vest is a personal flotation device. The vest is attached to the harness in order to facilitate normal carrying of the child by the adult. In a body of water, the vest can be detached from the harness allowing the child to float free of the adult, with the vest being tethered to the harness for safety.