The Best Baby, Toddler and Preschooler Sun Hats and Caps
/Summer is upon us and my 2.5 year old son has outgrown or refuses to wear all of his current sun hats. I polled the moms in my Facebook group for their favorite toddler sun hats and caps.
I bought the two that I thought my son would be willing to wear, but included almost all of the recommended options below. All but one of the hats are available on Amazon, click the images to get to the product page (note that most products are available in additional colors).
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Image courtesy of Susan Stadtlander.
Moms love that this hat is lightweight, quick drying, adjustable (one mom says it fits both her two and five year olds), comes in eight color options, and most of all that their toddlers don't even notice that they are wearing it. A few moms said that this is the only hat their child will tolerate.
This seemed to be a clear winner and I bought one for my son.
Size: The Home Prefer Lightweight Cap product description says that it is for ages 3+, but a few moms said that it fit their 2.5 year old perfectly.
SwimZip Unisex Child Wide Brim Sun Protection Hat UPF 50, Adjustable
One mom likes this Swimzip hat a lot for her 2.5 year old. She is impressed with the fairly wide brim that is a bit more rigid than the iplay hat, so the brim stays out of her face in the pool. The hat also features a break away chin strap (to prevent choking), and it floats!
It comes in lots of colors to coordinate with Swimzip rashguards and swimwear.
Size: The SwimZip Unisex Child Wide Brim Sun Protection Hat comes in sizes ranging from newborn to 14 years.
Nike Dri-Fit Swoosh Graphic Baseball Adjustable Cap
A bunch of moms raved about this Nike cap. It seems similar to the Home Prefers cap listed above, but also comes in girl styles.
I picked up one of these for my son too.
Size: These Nike Caps comes in sizes: 12-24 months, 2-4T and 4-7.
Hanna Andersson Kids Out of the Sun Hat
Moms like that this comfy hat features a neck flap and front brim, which provide maximum coverage (including ears and neck), and that the material is fast drying. Plus it is certified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100.
Size: The hat comes in a range of sizes (approx. 3 months - 12 years. Consult the sizing chart on the product page, but for best fit, you will need to measure the circumference of your child's head.
Twinklebelle Baby Toddler Kids Sun Hat with Chin Strap, Drawstring Adjust Head Size, Breathable 50+ UPF Cotton
What stands out about this hat is that both the hat and the chin strap are adjustable. This ensures that the hat stays on and that it grows with your child. It also comes in a classic bucket shape (not pictured).
Size: This hat is available in sizes fitting newborns to five year olds.
Baby BanZ UV Reversible Bucket Hat
One mom says that this is the only hat her son won't rip off. She loves that it is lightweight, protects his ears and reverses to a solid color.
Size: The Baby BanZ UV Reversible Bucket Hatcomes in two sizes: 0-24 months and 2-5 years.
The POLARN O. PYRET CLASSIC SUN HAT WITH UV
One mom has this hat in multiple sizes so all of her kids can wear it. She says that all sizes run large. This hat features UPF protection of 50+, a wide brim to keep sun off of delicate skin, chin ties to keep hat firmly in place, and extra soft flat lock seams that do not chafe.
Size: The POLARN O. PYRET CLASSIC SUN HAT WITH UV comes in sizes newborn, baby and 2-6 years. The images link to size 2-6 only, click here for all sizes and colors.
Other Popular Brands
Other brands worth exploring include:
One mom recommended these but I didn't include them above because I found the sizing to be confusing, so you would need to measure your child's head.
She says she uses a medium for her 5 year old, and a small when he was two.
I loved these for my son the past two summers, but he has outgrown the large and I don't think the XL will fit beyond this summer.
These hats seem to be designed to fit up to 24 months.
Did I miss any favorite hats of yours? Please comment to let me know.
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