What hats are the best for babies and toddlers?

Our overall favorite sun hat is Urban Baby Bonnets Brimmed Bonnet (view at Amazon ), but choosing the best one for your child is largely based on personal preference. Wide brims, breathable material, UV protection, and tie straps are all useful features in a sun hat.

Should babies wear hats in the sun?

Sun hats provide excellent protection against the sun. Make sure the hat is made of lightweight material, like cotton or a cotton blend, so that their skin can breathe. Look for an appropriate size that will fit securely to your baby's head.

Does my newborn baby need a sun hat?

If you're planning on spending any amount of time outside with your newborn, a sun hat will help shield their face and eyes from the sun. More than a cute accessory, a sun hat will keep them comfortable outdoors.

What can you expect to pay for a sun hat?

Baby sun hats are available at a variety of prices, and you should expect to pay anywhere from $10 to around $50. Keep in mind that some hats come in a pack of two or offer personalization, which will up the price.

The 5 Best Sun Hats for Babies and Toddlers of 2023

Best Baby Sun Hats — Verywell Family / Sabrina Jiang

A sun hat isn't just an adorable addition to your little one's wardrobe—it protects their vulnerable skin from the sun's harmful rays. Sun hats for babies and toddlers come in various styles, like wide-brim or baseball, and provide much-needed protection in place of luscious locks. Consider a sun hat essential for kiddos who will be outdoors for extended periods.

Reviewed & Approved

The UB2 Urban Baby Bonnets modBonnet features a reversible design and super-wide brim that can be folded to your liking. For a sun hat with a flap, we recommend the Jan & Jul Grow-with-Me Aqua-Dry Adventure Sun Hat.

Sun hats protect from the sun’s UV rays by using UPF protection in the material. Consider a hat with handy features, like an adjustable chin strap to ensure the hat stays on your child’s head. We considered design, sun protection, style, material, ease of cleaning, and value when reviewing products.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

UB2 Urban Baby Bonnets modBonnet at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best with Flap:

Jan & Jul Grow-with-Me Aqua-Dry Adventure Sun Hat at Amazon

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Best Wide Brim:

Green Sprouts i play Brim Sun Hat at Buybuy BABY

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Best for the Beach:

Sunday Afternoons Play Hat at Amazon

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Best for Small Babies:

Green Sprouts i play Flap Sun Protection Hat at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
How We Selected the Best Sun Hats for Babies and Toddlers
What to Look For
FAQs
Why Trust Verywell Family

Courtesy of UB2 Urban Baby Bonnet

Pros

Reversible design
Super-wide brim
Made from UPF 50+ organic cotton

Cons

Some sizes/styles run big/small

The UB2 Urban Baby Bonnets modBonnet is our top pick, because it offers several sweet styles, is versatile, and is a must-have for sunny day activities, thanks to the super-wide brim. Handmade in the United States, it is reversible and features a super-wide brim that can be folded back as much or as little as you want.

Machine-washable and made from UPF 50+ organic cotton, the snap straps are hard for little hands to open, so it’s sure to stay in place. The styling means the hat is easy to use in front- or rear-facing car seats or baby carriers, or even as a discreet and helpful cover while breastfeeding.

Size Range: 6 months (infant) to X-Large (big kid) | Material: Cotton | Machine-Washable: Yes (However, certain bonnets must be hand-washed) | Price at time of publication: $42

Amazon

Pros

Adjustable drawstring
Water-repellent fabric
Full neck coverage

Cons

Run small for some kiddos

Super-stylish, lightweight, and made of water-repellent material, this baby swim hat provides plenty of protection for tiny heads. The water-repellent polyester keeps kiddos dry so they can have fun in the sun, while the full neck coverage protects delicate skin. There’s also an adjustable chin strap to ensure that the sun hat fits properly and stays on.

Size Range: Newborn to 12 years old | Material: Polyester | Machine-Washable: Yes | Price at time of publication: $21

Courtesy of Green Sprouts

Pros

Drawstring for adjustable fit
10 color options
Quickly drying polyester

Cons

Becomes floppy when wet
Runs large for some kiddos

A wide-brim hat provides sun protection for your kiddo’s delicate face, neck, ears, and eyes. Made from lightweight, quick-drying polyester, this hat would be ideal for a beach trip or splashing around the pool. Available in 10 cute colors and several sizes, you'll be able to find the right fit for newborns through toddlers.

The drawstring helps secure the hat on your babe’s head for a perfect fit. There’s a tie strap, so this may be best for younger kids or those who won’t be tempted to untie the straps and remove the hat constantly.

Size Range: Newborn to 4-Toddler | Material: Polyester | Machine-Washable: Yes | Price at time of publication: $14

L.L. Bean

Pros

Mesh ventilation panel
Long neck veil
Floats in water

Cons

Certain sizes don't feature mesh panel
Handwash only

Made of UPF 50+ nylon, the breathable hat has a wide brim and a longer neck veil to protect the back of the neck from the strong sun on long days of building sandcastles. Safe and secure, even during windy days, the hat features a SmartStrap breakaway chin strap that detaches quickly in case of an emergency.

Flexible and easy to pack in a beach bag, the hat is also buoyant, so it’ll float in the water in the rare case that it comes off. Choose from different colors and three sizes for a perfect fit.

Size Range: Newborn to youth | Material: Nylon and polyester | Machine-Washable: No | Price at time of publication: $28

Green Sprouts

Pros

Adjustable strap and chin tie
Baseball brim/wide neck flap
Machine-washable

Cons

Sizing runs small or large for some
Cannot be ironed
Visor could be stiffer

Even the littlest babies can benefit from a protective sun hat if you plan on taking them outside. New parents will appreciate the small sizing of this hat, with an option for zero to six months, along with an adjustable strap and chin tie.

Summery colors give any baby a sweet burst of style, and the baseball brim and wide neck flap ensure that the baby's delicate skin is fully protected.

Size Range: Newborn to 4-Toddler | Material: Polyester | Machine-Washable: Yes | Price at time of publication: $15

How We Selected the Best Sun Hats for Babies and Toddlers

We chose the best sun hats for babies and toddlers by studying the design and features of more than 20 sun hats on the market and researching reviews from customers and competitors. We also monitored shopping trends to bring you the best and most up-to-date offerings on sun hats for babies and toddlers. We considered size, design, UPF protection, strap security, material, ease of cleaning, and value when reviewing products. We reviewed guidance from the Skin Cancer Foundation on keeping little ones safe in the sun.

What to Look for in Sun Hats for Babies and Toddlers

Strap Security

You'll want to keep your child's hat on their head as long as possible without them or the wind ripping it off. Sun hats for babies and toddlers often feature chin straps that tie underneath the chin to secure the hat for a better fit.

Consider your kiddo's age when choosing the right hat, to ensure that you're picking one they can't easily snatch off. Younger babies don’t have the dexterity to untie a tied strap, but toddlers may find nothing more fun than pulling on those strings. Older babies and toddlers will have a tougher time with Velcro or snap straps.

Type of Coverage

The type of coverage your little one will need for a sun hat can depend on the activity you plan on participating in. Some hats provide more coverage from the sun on the neck, while others focus sun protection on the face.

For example, if your baby sits in a stroller, a sun hat with just a front flap will be easier to wear and more comfortable. On the other hand, if your kiddo is busy at the beach, playground, or park, aim for a hat that provides 360-degree coverage and will block your baby’s face, ears, and neck from the sun’s rays.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hats are the best for babies and toddlers?

Our overall favorite sun hat is Urban Baby Bonnets Brimmed Bonnet (view at Amazon), but choosing the best one for your child is largely based on personal preference. Wide brims, breathable material, UV protection, and tie straps are all useful features in a sun hat.
Should babies wear hats in the sun?

Sun hats provide excellent protection against the sun. Make sure the hat is made of lightweight material, like cotton or a cotton blend, so that their skin can breathe. Look for an appropriate size that will fit securely to your baby's head.
Does my newborn baby need a sun hat?

If you're planning on spending any amount of time outside with your newborn, a sun hat will help shield their face and eyes from the sun. More than a cute accessory, a sun hat will keep them comfortable outdoors.
What can you expect to pay for a sun hat?

Baby sun hats are available at a variety of prices, and you should expect to pay anywhere from $10 to around $50. Keep in mind that some hats come in a pack of two or offer personalization, which will up the price.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of an 11-year-old son, a seven-year-old son, and a three-year old daughter. As soon as they spend days outdoors, sunscreen and sun hats are essentials. Her older boys love to sport baseball hats, while her girl will still rock a sweet sunbonnet. Maya varies among a well-loved visor, a big rattan sun hat, and one of her kids' baseball caps.