Swim goggles are an excellent addition to your summer beach bag or day at the pool with kids, but they pose a few tricky problems for parents. First, goggles are notorious for being flimsy and breaking—and also getting lost in the recesses of your closet or car, to the point where you’re convinced your kid’s swim goggles must be hanging out with all those orphan socks somewhere. The second problem is that they can be, well, painful. The rubber band that’s there to hold the goggles securely in place so your little swimmer doesn’t get water in his or her eyes (another big complaint!) can also pull and snag hair.
Keeping these common complaints in mind, we set out on a mission to find goggles that keep kids happily exploring the underwater world (while also keeping the whining to a minimum). These are the best swim goggles for kids.
1. Frogglez Swim Goggles
When Christian Hahn watched his kids trying on regular swim goggles, he knew he could come up with a better solution. “There really is no way to express the level of frustration parents experience trying to adjust and fit painful swim goggles on their already nervous kids’ faces,” he wrote on his website. Enter: Frogglez, swim goggles with a neoprene strap that fits snuggly around a child’s head to ensure the goggles stay on tightly with no hair-pulling drama. Parents with long-haired kids everywhere breathed a sigh of relief when these swim goggles came on the market.
2. Aqua Sphere Seal Kid 2 Goggles
Another problem kids (and even adults) have with swim goggles is the lack of seal associated with cheaper models. Goggles that allow water in defeat the purpose of wearing swim goggles. The Aqua Sphere Goggles have made the seal a priority in the design of the goggles. They adjust at the sides, making it easier for parents to get a snug (and relatively pain-free) fit while their kids are wearing them.
The lens spans 180 degrees, giving kids a great field of vision underwater (great for grabbing those underwater rings!), provides UVA/UVB protection, and is anti-fog and scratch-resistant.
3. Spinosaurus Kids Swim Goggles
We liked how the Spinosaurus Kids Swim Goggles included a built-in set of ear plugs. Ear plugs are nice (and occasionally a necessity for some kids), but they are virtually guaranteed to be lost at some point in the bottom of your beach bag. They offer great visibility and they seal out water very well. The goggles are adjustable so they can be used for several seasons.
4. Bling2o Kids Swim Goggles
We had to include these goggles in the list mostly because of how adorable they are—who can resist these tasty jelly donut goggles? Or these scary shark teeth?! They offer UV protection and a wide elastic strap. Some reviewers note variation in quality with regard to the rhinestones and other decorations, but the style is really something special—guaranteed to be the talk of the pool.
5. Resurge Sports Anti Fog Racing Swim Goggles
Another solution to the hair-snag goggle problem: the Resurge Sports Anti Fog Racing Swim Goggles, which utilizes a bungee strap (a stretchy cord with an easy adjustment). Though the product description says it is guaranteed to fit ages 10 and up, some customers were able to fit the goggles to children as young as 2 years old since the goggles come with three interchangeable nose pieces that can be custom-fitted to each swimmer. They come in a variety of colors of polycarbonate anti-fog lenses and a carrying case is also included.
6. Giovanni Swim Goggle Set
The Giovanni Swim Goggle Set is a great value, because in addition to swim goggles, it includes a swim cap, nose clip, ear plugs and a carrying case. Parents of kids with long hair might consider using a swim cap with their kids—not only will it protect their hair from chlorine, it also reduces any breakage or pulling from goggle straps. The snap closure at the back of the goggles also helps mitigate this problem, since you can do the adjusting prior to fitting the goggles onto your child’s head.
7. OMERIL Swim Goggles
As the number two best-selling swim goggles on Amazon, this two-pack deal is a great value for your money. These googles are designed with an ergonomic fit, anti-fog lenses, and quick release clasps to easily adjust to your child’s needs. A protective carrying case and 12 month warranty means you don’t need to worry when you see these goggles bouncing off the cement pool deck.
8. Yizerel Kids Swim Goggles
Made from latex-free, hypoallergenic silicone, these goggles are great for a child that finds smaller lenses uncomfortable around the eyes. The Yizerel Swim Goggles come in a pack of two with seven vibrant color combinations to chose from. The 180 degree impact-resistant lens means these goggles will last through the summer fun and beyond.
Cynthia J. Drake is a travel writer based in Austin, Texas, where she lives with her husband and two sons. Since becoming a mom, she’s been stranded at sea with her family, gotten lost in the Rocky Mountains, dealt with more than her fair share of public vomiting, and still can’t wait for the next trip. She writes regularly for AAA magazines, Austin American-Statesman, Texas Highways and Cruise Critic. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
Carol McPherson contributed to this story.
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