As many a parent can attest, keeping a sun hat on your child’s head is one of the great challenges of the early parenthood years. We’re not promising that these—our favorite sun hats for kids—aren’t going to get yanked off eventually. But their comfortable fabrics and fits give you a better shot at keeping your little one’s head out of the sun (while looking pretty darn cute, too). These are the best sun hats for babies.
1. SimpliKids UPF 50+ UV Ray Sun Protection Wide Brim Baby Sun Hat
SimpliKids go the distance with their UPF 50+ Bucket Wide Brim Sun Hat, with full neck coverage, and the wide-brim bucket hat, both of which are lightweight, quick drying and breathable. The adjustable drawstring allows the hat to grow along with your baby.
2. Sun Protection Sporty Flap Swim Hat
This flap sunhat from Vainait is one of those tools that’s great to have in your beach bag for a day at the shore or pool. Designed to protect little heads from those punishing rays, this baby hat has a stretchy baseball-hat style with straps to keep it fastened under the chin. The long flap that extends down the neck provides maximum coverage. It’s UPF 50-plus for maximum protection against a day outdoors in the sun. There’s a huge range of bright patterns, solids and seersucker and chambray options from which to choose.
Related: The Ultimate Beach Bag: 9 Best Beach Bags for Moms and Families
3. iPlay Flap Sun Protection Swim Hat
The maker of the popular, washable swim diaper has a solid selection of sun hats offering all-day protection on the beach, pool or anyplace else you risk drinking in those UVs. Choose from several iPlay varieties with wide, round brims and straps that tie under the chin, with an adjustable toggle that lets the hat grow with your baby. A wicking liner in the hats’ inside keeps the fabric nice and cool and the quick-dry material means you can put it on, swim, and pretty much leave it on your baby all day.
Related: Best Poop-In-The-Pool-Proof Swim Diapers
4. UPF 50+ Wide Brim Chin Strap Summer Play Hat
Another hat that can grow with your baby, this Wide Brim Summer Play Hat from Exemaba has adjustable and removable chin and head straps, for ultimate adjustment. The wide brim, UPF 50+ and breathable material will keep your little one cool in the hot sun.
5. Cuddle Club UPF 50+ Sun Protective Sunsuit and Hat
Nothing beats a two-for-one! Tiny ears, necks and noses all stay under cover when your baby wears the adorable Sunsuit with Matching Hat (included!), with sizes to fit newborns up to age 6 years old. The quality of the product shows through, with its fast drying stretchy material, convenient and sturdy chin ties and UVA/UVB rating that blocks 98-percent of harmful rays.
Related: Best Bathing Suits for Infants and Toddlers
6. SwimZip Unisex Child Wide Brim Sun Protection Hat
Opt for the SwimZip Unisex Wide Brim Sun Hat and your little one can be wearing the same sun protection as they grow. There’s an adjustable head strap that will allow you to change the circumference of the head size, while the chin strap keeps the hats on nice and snug.
7. Sunday Afternoons
This popular grownup line of sun hats has some very fine options for the smaller heads in the crowd, too. We love the extra wide brims of the Kids’ Play Hat line—and the brim drapes even longer at the rear of the head, too, with a back veil to keep those harmful sun rays off of your child’s neck. The stain-resistant fabric means no amount of chocolate ice cream or snow cone dye is likely to do this hat in either, so go ahead—have your kid give it their best shot. The hats fit kids from age 6 months through 12 years, after which they might start borrowing your own Sunday Afternoons hat! There are infant options, too, including the Sunsprout Hat, made of a super soft fabric and with an easy chin strap to help keep it in place.
Related: 13 Best Sunglasses for Babies and Toddlers
Longtime travel writer and adventurer Terry Ward lives in Florida with her husband and young son and daughter. She’s constantly on the lookout for the next Scandinavia Airlines Kids Fly Free deal to save money on flights to Norway, her favorite place to visit both in the winter (Northern Lights!) and summer (Midnight Sun!). A travel writer since 2001 (read: long before the kids came along), she’s written for such publications as Endless Vacation Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler and Scuba Diving Magazine, among many others. Find Terry on her website, Terry-Ward.com.
What to Pack for Your Next Trip
Baby Boy’s Water Park Outfit
Baby Girl’s Water Park Outfit
Baby Boy’s Disney Outfit
Baby Girl’s Disney Outfit
You Might Also Like:
• 5 Best Fitness Trackers for Kids• The Best Family Pajamas for 2023
• 10 Best Waterproof Winter Boots for Kids
• 10 Best Winter Mittens for Toddlers (That Will Actually Stay On)
• 8 Things You Should Never Wear at the Airport
Our team of parents and travel experts chooses each product and service we recommend. Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission.
