We can all agree that half the fun of having a baby is taking that little bundle of joy out into the outdoors for some playtime and fresh air. So you pack your diaper bag, stock up on snacks, and settle your baby into their stroller. But wait; the weather calls for sun all day and surely your child won’t be happy staying under the stroller canopy for your entire outing. The answer: a well-chosen baby sunscreen (plastered liberally all over their squidgy little bodies) and a completely cute baby sun hat. Sorted!
A good sun hat will do more than just look utterly charming on your child’s head. It is a comfortable way to protect their delicate skin from harmful UV rays and the risk of sunburn. And yes, the pictures will be totally Facebook-worthy.
Tips for finding the best baby sun hat
Beyond the cute factor, be sure to consider the following while you shop:
Color
Remember, lighter colors will reflect heat while darker colors will trap it. Stick to those light colors for summer sun hats so your baby can maintain a comfortable temperature.
Material
Don’t bother with a sun hat that doesn’t have breathable material. Polyester and cotton will allow air to circulate, so your little one remains happy and comfy all day.
Wide brims
Since your prime concern is protecting your child’s face, eyes, and neck, be sure that the brim is offering adequate coverage.
Ultraviolet protection factor
Commonly known as UPF, this measures how effectively fabric blocks UVA and UVB rays. A UPF of 50+ means that the material blocks 98% of harmful sun rays.
With those basics out of the way, let’s move on to the fun part.
Our picks of the best baby sun hats
Sun Hats For Girls
If you love the girly-girl look, your little lady will rock these cute sun hats.
Best reversible sun hat
Our opinion
Bonnet-style baby hats are good at sheltering both their eyes and neck from the sun’s rays. This full-coverage hat from i play can be secured with a tying chin strap, but a toggle also helps to adjust this pick to the baby’s growing head for their comfort. It comes in seven cheerful animal and beach-themed prints, all of which are made with UPF 50+ material for their protection.
Our second pick
Our opinion
This hat comes in sizes all the up to 12 years of age, so if you really fall in love with the style, it will grow with your kid. It offers UPF 50+ protection, and the adjustable drawstring strap comes with a breakaway safety clip. It does tend to run big as far as sizes go, but it fits securely enough that your baby will have a hard time pulling it off. It is also machine washable, so yay for convenience!
Material: 100% Cotton
Price: $$
Sun Hats For Boys
If your boy wants to skip the more girly colors and designs, but still wants a fun sun hat, check out these cute products.
Our third pick
Our opinion
Available in baby and toddler sizes, this little hat has a liner that will wick away moisture and is machine washable. The UPF 50+ material won’t sag too badly if it gets a bit wet and the fabric dries quickly. Although some babies will be able to untie the chin strap with a pull, this hat has a brim that provides great coverage, even for the neck, and is lightweight enough that your boy will eventually forget he’s even wearing anything.
Material: 100% Polyester
Price: $$
Unisex Sun Hats
If you are less concerned with people being able to identify your baby's gender by their sun hat, here are some great designs for everyone.
Our fourth pick
Our opinion
You can pick from a wide array of solid colors that range in sizes from newborn to toddler. The brim is nice and wide, although some parents find it a bit too floppy, and the hat features an extra long neck flap for even more protection. The fabric is UPF 50+ and is machine washable. This hat is also water resistant, so it is perfect for a day at the pool.
Material: 100% Polyester
Price: $ – $$$
Our fifth pick
Our opinion
With plenty of adorable designs, this UPF 50+ hat will delight you and your baby alike. It’s reversible, machine washable, and if you use My Swim Baby diapers, you can coordinate a whole outfit for your little one.
Material: 100% Polyester
Price: $
Wrapping up
With one of these hats, you and your family can frolick in the sun with no worries. One day your baby will be more interested in hanging out with friends or playing video games, so get out there and seize the day while you can. Here’s to making happy memories that last forever, instead of getting a sunburn that feels like it lasts forever.
