When it comes to protecting your little ones from the sun, sun hats are a must-have accessory. With skin being a baby’s largest organ, it is important to take precautions to keep them protected from harmful UV rays. Sun hats for babies and toddlers are specially designed to offer complete coverage and protection while being lightweight, comfortable, and easy to wear.
Whether you’re at the beach, park, or simply strolling in the sun, getting the best sun hats for babies and toddlers is an essential item for any parent, just like getting them their own baby sunglasses or baby tents. These hats come in a variety of colors, designs, and materials to suit your child’s personality and style. In this article, we’ll delve into the benefits of sun hats for babies and toddlers and how to choose the right one for your little one.
Our Top Picks
- Best Sun Hat Overall: Durio Baby Sun Hat
- Best Baby Beach Hat: i play. Brim Hat
- Best Wide Brim Sun Hat: SwimZip Sun Hat
- Best Sun Hat For Small Babies: FURTALK Baby Sun Hat
- Best Sun Hat With Flap: i play. by green sprouts Flap Hat
- Best Adjustable Sun Hat: Babylab Baby Sun Hat
- Best Sun Hat With Chin Strap: Exemaba Baby Sun Hat
- Best Organic Sun Hat: JELLYTREE Baby Hat
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Sun Hats For Babies and Toddlers Picks
Durio Baby Sun Hat – Best Sun Hat Overall
- Has a little adjustable part under the chin
- Good price
- Well made materials
- Pretty stylish
- The chin straps slide off sometimes
Made from high-quality cotton, this hat is super soft and cozy, ensuring your baby’s comfort at all times. But it’s not just any ordinary hat – it’s designed to provide the highest level of sun protection possible. With a UPF 50+ rating, this hat can filter out up to 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, keeping your child’s delicate skin safe from the sun.
In addition to its practicality, the Durio baby sun hat is also stylish and versatile. The wide brim offers extra coverage for your child’s face and neck, while the simple design makes it easy to pair with any outfit. Plus, the retractable chin strap keeps the hat securely in place, even on windy days, and the adjustable head strap ensures a perfect fit for your child’s head.
i play. Brim Hat – Best Baby Beach Hat
- Good coverage/sun protection
- The lightweight material has enough stiffness to maintain shape
- Fabric is reasonably soft
- There is a mesh liner that helps to prevent the fabric from sticking to the head
- Little sun tag is a foam and sort of cheap looking
Made from high-quality UPF 50+ material, this sun hat provides exceptional sun protection while also drying quickly if it gets wet. The breathable and moisture-wicking inner lining keeps your baby cool and comfortable on even the hottest days, making it perfect for outdoor activities like a day at the beach.
With an adjustable toggle, this hat can grow with your baby, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit as they grow. The tie strap adds an extra layer of security, making it ideal for active play as well.
SwimZip Sun Hat – Best Wide Brim Sun Hat
- Holds up, even when wet
- Easy to wash
- Easy to adjust to baby’s head for a snug fit
- Breathable
- The cord is not completely detachable
With UPF 50+ rating, the sun hat provides comprehensive protection from UVA and UVB radiation that causes cancer. This hat eliminates the need for constant reapplication of sunscreen, letting your baby focus on having fun under the sun.
Additionally, the hat’s broad brim protects your child’s face, neck, and eyes from harmful rays, and the head ventilation keeps them comfortable and cool. Adjusting the chin strap and head strap ensures that the hat is snugly fit for your child’s head. Furthermore, the use of a breakaway chin strap ensures the hat is safe by preventing choking.
FURTALK Baby Sun Hat – Best Sun Hat For Small Babies
- Good sun coverage, especially the back of neck
- Makes babies even cuter
- Adjustable
- Very soft
- Heavier material retains too much heat
Crafted from natural fibers such as 95% pure cotton and 5% premium spandex, this hat is gentle and soft on your baby’s delicate skin, while remaining breathable and lightweight.
This versatile sun hat is ideal for use all year round. The sturdy and wide brim is designed to shield your baby’s face, neck, and eyes from harmful UV rays, as well as keep the hat firmly in place on windy days.
It can be quickly removed and stored in your diaper bag, making it the ideal accessory for outings to the beach, park, or pool. Plus, the fit of the hat makes it ideal for smaller babies.
i play. by green sprouts Flap Hat – Best Sun Hat With Flap
- Protective from soft, chin tie, neck flap on the back
- The fabric is breathable
- Very stretchy
- Easy to pack
- The head part isn’t adjustable but has elastic
Made with a moisture-absorbing liner and UPF 50+ material, this hat keeps your little one dry, cool, and comfortable even on the hottest of days. Plus, it dries quickly if it gets wet, so your baby can enjoy water play without any interruptions.
The baby-safe foam brim is designed to stay put and keep water out of your baby’s eyes, while the elasticized back ensures a comfortable, customized fit as your baby grows. The tie strap also secures the hat in place, so you don’t have to worry about it blowing away in the wind.
Babylab Baby Sun Hat – Best Adjustable Sun Hat
- Great for the pool/beach
- Snaps on the side
- The strap is adjustable
- Pretty breathable
- Runs bigger
This durable hat is made from mesh denim, providing excellent breathability and comfort on hot and sunny days. The inner lining is quick to dry, ensuring that your baby stays cool and dry throughout the day.
In addition, the adjustable chin strap allows for a customized fit, keeping the hat in place without restricting your baby’s movements. The 2.2″ brim also offers complete coverage, effectively shielding your baby’s face and eyes from harmful UV rays.
Furthermore, this lightweight and foldable hat is also pocket-friendly. Plus, the hat features buttons that can be buckled to create a fun and stylish cowboy hat on either side for your baby’s outdoor adventures.
Exemaba Baby Sun Hat – Best Sun Hat With Chin Strap
- Comfortable
- Doesn’t leave a mark on the baby’s head
- Easy to adjust
- The chin strap is removable if needed
- The clips that attach the strap to the hat come undone pretty easily
This hat is designed to be adjustable with a removable chin strap and head strap, ensuring a perfect fit for your child’s head. The 2.5″-inch” brim keeps your child cool and comfortable in the sun, making it perfect for outdoor activities.
The hat features a mesh lining, ensuring that your child stays cool and comfortable even on the hottest of days. Furthermore, the drawstring head adjustment ensures a secure and customized fit, ensuring that the hat stays in place. Plus, if the chin strap is not needed, it can be easily removed.
JELLYTREE Baby Hat – Best Organic Sun Hat
- Super cute
- High quality
- Fits well
- Lightweight
- Runs large
This baby hat is carefully crafted with the highest quality materials, ensuring both fashion and comfort. It comes in a variety of vibrant colors and sizes to match your baby’s style and growth.
The adjustable sun brim provides complete coverage, protecting your baby’s delicate skin from harmful UV rays. Plus, the chin ties which are made from 100% cotton double-layered breathable gauze, keep the hat securely in place.
Furthermore, the simple yet elegant design of this toddler hat is perfect for any occasion. And the breathable cotton fabric ensures that your baby stays cool and comfortable while looking stylish.
How To Choose The Best Baby Sun Hats?
- UPF Rating: Look for hats with a UPF 50+ rating, which indicates that the hat provides high protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
- Material: Opt for breathable, lightweight materials like cotton or polyester that dry quickly if wet. Avoid materials that trap heat and cause discomfort.
- Brim Size: A wide brim provides maximum protection for the face and neck, while a smaller brim is suitable for cooler weather (1).
- Adjustability: An adjustable head strap and chin strap ensure a snug and secure fit, while a drawstring or toggle can provide a customizable fit as the baby grows.
- Portability: A foldable or packable design makes it easy to carry the hat on the go. A removable chin strap can be helpful for washing and drying the hat.
Should Babies Wear Hats In The Sun?
Yes, babies should wear hats in the sun to protect their delicate skin from harmful UV rays. A wide-brim sun hat can provide additional protection to the face, neck, and eyes, and a UPF 50+ rating is recommended for the highest level of sun protection. Although the AAP advises keeping babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight (2). It is important to keep in mind that even on cloudy days, UV rays can still penetrate the skin and cause harm, so it’s important to always protect babies when they’re spending time outdoors.
Do Newborns Need A Hat?
Yes, newborns should wear a hat when they are outside, especially if the sun is shining. Newborns have delicate skin that is more susceptible to sunburn and other skin damage from the sun’s UV rays (3). Wearing a sun hat with a wide brim and UPF protection can help shield their face, neck, and head from harmful UV rays and keep them comfortable in warm weather.
At What Age Do Babies Need Sun Hats?
It’s recommended to start using sun hats for babies from 6 months of age and up, especially when they are exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time, such as during outdoor activities or when spending time at the beach or pool.
What Temperature Should A Baby Wear A Hat Outside?
It is recommended to protect their delicate skin from the sun when the temperature is above 60-70°F or when the UV index is 3 or higher.
How Do I Keep My Baby’s Sun Hat On?
Look for a hat that fits snugly on your baby’s head and has an adjustable chin strap to keep the hat in place. Make sure the chin strap is tightened to keep the hat from slipping off. Some hats come with a tie or strap that can be tied under the chin to keep the hat in place. A lightweight hat is less likely to weigh down your baby’s head and slip off.
How Do I Know If My Baby Is Too Hot?
Babies have limited means of regulating their body temperature, so it’s important to keep an eye on their comfort in hot weather. Here are some signs that your baby is too hot (4):
- Sweating: Babies sweat less than adults, so if you notice the sweat on their forehead or chest, they may be overheating.
- Flushed skin: Overheating can cause redness or flushing on the face, neck, and chest.
- Rapid breathing: If your baby’s breathing is rapid or shallow, it may be feeling too hot.
- Fussy behavior: Babies who are too hot may become fussy or irritable.
If you suspect that your baby is too hot, remove layers of clothing or shade them from direct sunlight, and offer them cool drinks. It’s always better to be proactive in keeping your baby cool and comfortable in the sun.
