ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Swim cap

A swim cap is like a hat that you wear when you go swimming. But instead of keeping you warm or looking fancy, it helps protect your hair and makes you swim faster!

When you swim, the water pushes against your hair and slows you down. But if you wear a swim cap, the water flows smoothly around it, which makes you swim faster. It's like when you wear a bike helmet and the wind doesn't mess up your hair as much!

Also, some people wear swim caps to keep their hair out of their face and to keep chemicals from pool water, like chlorine, from damaging their hair. Swim caps can come in different colors and designs and are made from materials like silicone or latex.

When you put on a swim cap, you stretch it over your head and tuck in all your hair so it doesn't fall out. So, the next time you go swimming, don't forget to wear your swim cap to make you go faster like a superhero!