To keep babies safe from the sun, it’s essential to choose the best sun hats for babies. We have created this outdoor gear guide to assist parents in determining which hat is most suitable for their baby.
Babies have delicate skin making them more vulnerable to the sun’s harmful rays. Providing enough sun protection for your little ones is important. Sun hats are a simple way to protect your little one and make them look really cute at the same time.
We’ll cover a variety of styles and provide information on factors such as materials, protection from UV radiation, and breathability to help you make an informed decision when selecting a hat for your child.
Here’s our pick for the best sun hats for babies that are super adorable and offer optimum sun protection.
Should babies wear sun hats?
Yes, babies should wear sun hats whenever they are outdoors during the day as this provides protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Newborns have sensitive skin that can easily be damaged by direct sunlight, so it is important to use a sun hat to shield their head, face and neck from the sun.
Sunscreen should not be used on babies under 6 months of age, so a sun hat is one of the best ways to protect their delicate skin while outdoors during daylight hours.
How do I choose a sun hat for my baby?
We all know that prolonged exposure to the sun is damaging to the skin. For babies with extra delicate skin, exposure to the sun poses a greater risk. That’s why choosing the perfect sun hats for them is important. Always consider the following factor when choosing the best sun hats for babies.
Sun Protection
The main function of a sun hat is to protect us from the sun’s UV rays. When choosing a sun hat for your little adventurer, always choose hats with a UPF50+ rating which can block 98% of the sun’s rays thus reducing your baby’s exposure risk significantly.
The Chin Strap
The best sun hats have adjustable chin straps that work to keep the it in place in case it gets windy or your tots become extra wiggly. Depending on the age of your little ones, chin straps offer great security but sometimes it can also be a challenge.
Younger babies don’t have the skill to untie these straps while most toddlers may find nothing more fun than pulling and untying on those cords. Some chin cord/straps include a breakaway “no choke” clip for additional safety and to help prevent accidents.
Ventilation
Babies can become hot and sweaty when outdoors especially during the summer when the temperature is up a notch. It is important that the sun hats you will choose have mesh vents/ or holes that provide good airflow and ventilation. This feature helps your baby feel cool and comfortable all day long.
Purpose
There are different styles and designs when it comes to sun hats for babies. Sun hats with only a front flap work better if your baby is just sitting in a stroller.
But when you’re out by the beach or playing outdoors, a sun hat with a full wide brim provides more coverage that baby needs.
Neck Flap
This extra feature provides more coverage and protection for your kids from the sun’s UV rays. Necks are pretty vulnerable to sunburn, so when looking for the best sun hats for babies always put this feature into consideration.
Protecting your baby from the sun’s harmful rays is essential, especially during the summer months. But with so many options available, it can be difficult to find the right hat for your little one.
To help you pick the right one, we’ve rounded up the best baby sun hats on the market.
Best Sun Hats For Babies
We’ve rounded up the best sun hats for babies with super cute designs and excellent sun protective details.
This sun hat for babies and kids from Sunday Afternoons has been an all-time best-seller thanks to its full-packed features and UPF 50+ sun protection rating. The Sun-smart fabric and hat design keep your little adventurer safe and happy outdoors. The back veil is excellent in protecting the necks of your little ones from the harsh rays of the sun, plus it also allows the hat to sit comfortably in a stroller.
Slightly oversized crown and mesh panels on the side promote ventilation keeping your kids feeling cool and dry all day long. The fabric also offers both stain and water resistance so it's safe for kids who like to play in the water. The hat also features a wide down-sloping brim made of floatable material. And since kids tend to grow so fast, the hat offers a customizable sizing band for a custom fit.
Brim: 2¾" - 3¾" (Brim Length Depends On Size)
Neck Veil: 5½" - 6"
Small (6-24 mos.) : 18½" - 19¾"
Medium (2-5 years old) : 19¾" - 20.87"
Large ( 5-12 years) : 20.87" - 22"
Features
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- Sun-smart fabric
- Breakaway chinstrap
- Customizable sizing band
- Floatable brim
- Stain resistance
- Mesh Panels
- Back veil
Pros
- Excellent sun protection for kids
- Playproof details
- Adjustable
- Packable
- Stain and water-resistant
- Dark under brim to protect your child’s eyes from glaring
- Wide brim means greater coverage
- Chinstrap is a great safety feature
- Wearable even on a stroller
- Neck veil
- Buoyant
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Cute and colorful designs
Cons
- Sturdiness is average
If you want simple and straightforward hats for your babies and kids, this Kids’ Fun Bucket Hat from Sunday Afternoons is a perfect choice. It has a classic silhouette that never gets out of style which offers optimum sun protection for your kids with a UPF 50+ rating. Made of 100% nylon and is super lightweight, breathable, water and stain-resistant.
The Flexible Down-Sloped Brim With Floatable Foam Core provides excellent coverage from the sun’s rays. One of its best features is the Breakaway Chinstrap which secures the hat in place in case it gets windy and will only break away when it is applied with 11 lbs pressure.
Sunday afternoons have always been made dark under brim to protect the child from glare keeping your kids' eyes safe as always. The hat has an internal size adjustment so fir won’t be a problem.
Brim width : 2 ½"
Small (6-24 mos.) : 18½" - 19¾"
Medium (2-5 years old) : 19¾" - 20.87"
Large ( 5-12 years) : 20.87" - 22"
Weight: 2.4 Ounces/68.0 grams
Features
- UPF 50+ Sun Rating
- Flexible Down-Sloped Brim With Floatable Foam Core
- Strategic Mesh Ventilation Panels On Child And Youth Sizes
- Water Repellent / Stain Resistant
- Floats In Water
- Breakaway Chinstrap Technology
- Internal Sizing Band For Custom Fit
- Stroller Friendly
- Designed In The USA
Pros
- Excellent sun protection( UPF 50+ rating)
- Flexible and buoyant brim
- Playproof features
- Water repellent
- Stain-resistant
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Comfortable to wear
- Comes in different styles and colors
- Breakaway chin strap for added security
- Wearable even if it is windy
- Stroller friendly
- Adjustable
- Packs flat for travel
Cons
- Doesn’t have a neck veil
Whether you’re out for a swim or simply playing outdoors, the i play Flap Sun Hat
Is one of the best sun protection hats for your kids. It comes in several cute designs and colors that are both fun and functional. It has a UPF 50+ rating offering the highest sun protection available, blocking 97.5%-99+% UV rays that are very harmful to your kids.
It features all-day sun protection for the head, neck, and eyes with the full-coverage baby flap hat with extra neck and shoulder protection keeps the baby covered all day, reducing sunscreen application in those areas.
Made from soft, microfiber material with a wicking liner to pull moisture away from the skin to keep your baby cool and comfortable while enjoying the outdoors.
Hat Circumference-Size
14-17.5” : 0-6 months
17.5- 9” : 9- 18 months
19-21” : 2T-4T
Features
- UPF 50+ sun protection rating
- Extra neck and shoulder protection
- Wicking liner
- Adjustable toggle
- Stay-put tie strap
- Meets STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certification
Pros
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- Protects head, neck, and eyes
- Made of lightweight and quick-drying materials
- Comfortable to wear
- Adjustable for a custom fit
- Made from materials that are safe for babies
- Soft on the skin
- Comes in many cute and colorful designs
- Chinstrap keeps the hat in place
- Affordable
Cons
- Sizing runs small
Keep your babies' skin protected with this super easy and comfortable to wear sun hat from SimpliKids. Guaranteed to block 98% of the sun’s harmful rays with a UPF 50+ sun protection rating. You can choose from a selection of cute and fun designs that would look super adorable on your babies. It is made from fabric that is soft, breathable, and durable enough not to wear out easily.
Thanks to its adjustable drawstring for custom fit and you won’t have to buy a new hat every time your kids grow maybe an inch or so. If you’re a family who loves to travel and enjoy the outdoors, this hat is very easy to pack and carry wherever you may be headed.
Size: S(0-12 Months) Inner Circumference: 19.3"
M(12-24 Months) Inner Circumference: 20"
L(2-4 Years) Inner Circumference: 21"
Features
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- Adjustable drawstring
- Wide floppy brim
- Chin cord
- Quick-drying and moisture-wicking
Pros
- UPF 50+ sun protection rating
- Great coverage
- Adjustable
- Soft and comfortable material
- Quick Drying
- Moisture-wicking
- Comes in many cute design and colors
- Affordable
- Durable
- Lightweight and breathable
- Packable and compact
Cons
- Chin cord tends to get loose when worn
Make your baby’s sun hat unique and fun. Bows And Belongings offer personalized sun hats for babies that are super adorable and functional at the same time. This sun hat provides UPF 50+ sun protection for your baby's head, neck, and eyes, plus the wicking liner keeps your baby cool and feeling dry even when playing outdoors.
Featuring a tie strap that keeps the hat in place, and the adjustable toggle creates a custom fit as the baby grows! Parents will love this hat since it's very packable, compact, and travel-friendly. It comes in 6 different colors which can be personalized like embroidered names and initials of your baby.
0-6 mos. : Head circumference of 14-17.5 inches
9-18 mos.: Head circumference of 17.5-19 inches
2T-4T: Head circumference of 19-21 inches
Features
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- Tie strap
- Adjustable toggle
- Moisture-wicking
- Quick-drying
Pros
- UPF 50+ rating
- Personalized, handmade
- Adjustable
- Secured in place by the chin strap
- Breathable
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Travel friendly
- Soft on the skin
- Quick-drying and moisture-wicking capacity
- Reasonable price
- Comes in different colors
Cons
- Mediocre sturdiness
- No mesh vents
The SwimZip's Kids Sun Hat is the perfect hat for babies, toddlers, and kids of all ages. Its sun-protective details and wide brim keeps the head, face, and neck protected from the sun's harmful UV rays. It is made with SPF 50+ sun protection material keeping your kids safe all day long.
It features an adjustable draw cord for a custom fit so you won’ have to worry about the fitting if your baby grows. One awesome feature is the chin strap that keeps the hats in place in case it gets windy, it also includes a breakaway "no choke" clip for safety and to help prevent accidents. The vents on the side help with ventilation, making your kids feel cool even on hot days.
0-6 months : Head circumference of 18 1⁄2”
6-24 months : Head circumference of 20”
2-8 years : Head circumference of 21 1⁄2”
8-14 years : Head circumference of 22 1⁄2”
Features
- UPF 50+ UV sun protection
- Adjustable chin strap
- Adjustable head strap
- Side vents
- "No choke" chin strap clip for safety
- Wide brim
Pros
- Excellent coverage and sun protection
- Adjustable
- Has breakaway chin strap for safety
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Packable
- Affordable
- Buoyant
- Quick-drying and chlorine-resistant fabric
- Many color choices
- Corrosion-resistant eyelets make this a great hat to take to the beach
Cons
- Some customers who made a review have issues with the chin strap breaking
How Do You Keep A Sun Hat On A Baby?
Keeping a sun hat on a baby can be a challenge sometimes. Some babies may love wearing hats but some tots may hate it for whatever reason we don’t know about. Here are some tips to hopefully help you deal with this dilemma.
- Start them early, at a very young age you can train them to wear some headpieces and not necessarily hats, you can start from headbands or beanies.
- Choose the right style and size, which are hats that are made specifically made for babies, and get the right size for your babies. Pick a simpler design and not too invasive on their face.
- “No hat, no play rule”, if your kids keep taking their hat off, be consistent and always put it back on. Let them know that they have to wear hats outdoors.
- Set a good example, and let them see that you too are wearing sun hats when you’re outside.
- Distraction, put the hats on them when they’re having a snack or playing.
- Chin straps, as much as possible choose the ones with an adjustable chin strap, it would be hard for young babies to untie these straps and they won’t be able to remove them.
How Much Sun Is Too Much For A Baby?
A baby’s skin is sensitive and is more prone to sunburn. Babies should be kept out of direct sunlight until they’re 6 months old.
When you’re planning to go outdoors with your babies, make sure that you put them in clothes that protect them from the sun as well as baby sun hats to protect their head, face, and neck from direct heat and sunlight.
Related Outdoor Living Resources
MORE RELATED RESOURCES
Mom and pops need some sun protection too! Check out our guides on the Best Sun Hats For Women and Best Sun Hat For Men.
If you’re planning to travel with your baby anytime soon, then you might also want to look for the best baby carrier for travel.