At what age can a kid use an umbrella?

Unless otherwise indicated by the manufacturer, kids can begin using child-sized umbrellas around age three. By this point, most children will be ready and able to hold the umbrella on their own without injuring themselves or others or choking on spare pieces.

How do you clean an umbrella?

Fabric umbrellas can be washed with a mixture of warm water, white vinegar, and mild dish soap. If yours contains metal parts, be sure to dry it upside down and open to avoid rust from forming.

Should my stroller have an umbrella?

While you can purchase an umbrella that clips on to your stroller, most strollers come equipped with water-resistant canopies that can protect riders from direct sunlight and drizzle. For heavier rains, a stroller rain cover may be useful. Many options can be secured with ties or velcro to resist wind and can be easily folded and conveniently stowed beneath the stroller seat, so they’re less bulky than umbrellas.

The 9 Best Umbrellas for Kids of 2023

Sharing an umbrella is never easy, but doing so with a child can be especially challenging. Little ones really enjoy the independence of carrying their own umbrella, and you’ll appreciate the chance to stay dry yourself. Standard umbrellas are too large for kids to carry around and control. Even more important than size issues, adult umbrellas don’t usually offer the same safety features that kid’s umbrellas should have.

An umbrella made specifically for kids is a great investment for your own family or as a gift. To find the best umbrellas for kids, we considered the safety of the design and how simple they were for children to use. We looked for lightweight products that were sturdy and easy to hold, and, above all, will keep them dry.

Based on our reviews, these are the best umbrellas for kids on the market today.

Our Top Picks

totes Kid's Clear Bubble Umbrella at Amazon

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Floss & Rock Deep Sea Color Changing Umbrella at Amazon

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Hatley Printed Umbrella at Amazon

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Western Chief Kids Character Umbrella at Amazon

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Pink Fong Baby Shark Dome Umbrella at Walmart

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Floss & Rock Spellbound Colour Changing Umbrella at Maisonette.com

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Hunter Moustache Bubble Umbrella at Hunterboots.com

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Melissa & Doug Giddy Buggy Umbrella at Christystoyoutlet.com

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Stephen Joseph Print Raincoat and Umbrella Set at Nordstrom

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Family

4.7

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Totes.com

The totes Kid’s Clear Bubble Umbrella is our top pick thanks to its impressive rain protection and kid-friendly safety features. The umbrella has a bubble shape that will protect not only your kid’s head, but their entire upper body and even their feet (excluding jumping in puddles, of course). Kids love being able to see through the clear dome while walking in the rain. This durable umbrella has a J-shaped handle that is easy for little hands to hold onto.

To avoid injuries, the umbrella has rounded tips with smooth edges and a pinch-free opening and closing mechanism. With a canopy that stretches 38 inches across when opened, this umbrella has impressive coverage. In addition to the fun polka dot design, the totes Kid’s Clear Bubble Umbrella is also available without a pattern in clear and clear colors. Bonus: totes offers an adult version of the same umbrella.

Price at time of publication: $23

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon View On Fatbraintoys.com

This umbrella features sharks, submarines, and divers on a cute, playful design when it’s dry, but is even cooler after a downpour because it changes colors when it’s wet. The designs become more vibrant and detailed, which might even get your kid excited to use their own umbrella instead of trying to get under yours. It’s designed for kids as young as 3 years old and is made with durable materials to help it last throughout the seasons.

Price at time of publication: $26

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart

You can get this umbrella in a shark, tractor, or dinosaurs pattern, all of which are adorable. This lightweight option has a sturdy frame with a hook handle, no-pinch closure, and smooth edges to avoid poking injuries. This umbrella measures 23 inches long and when it’s open it’s 28 inches wide so it offers plenty of protection during a drizzle or downpour.

Price at time of publication: $24

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

If you’re looking for an umbrella with a lot of whimsy character, this is the one for you. This line of umbrellas comes in a few styles including a frog, ladybug, and Mickey Mouse. Each style has a kid-friendly design that’s easy to open and close, is lightweight, and sized just right. When it’s not in use, just collapse it and wrap the strap around to secure it, and it will be ready and waiting the next time the forecast calls for showers.

Price at time of publication: $22

Courtesy of Walmart

View On Walmart

Let your little one lean into their obsession with Baby Shark by getting them this cute themed umbrella. This one has a dome design, complete with a shark fin on top, a J-shape handle, and a strap with a snap to keep it safe when it’s not in use. Not to mention, it’s definitely a statement piece!

Price at time of publication: $20

Courtesy of Maisonette

View On Maisonette.com

For the kid who loves magic, this umbrella features wizards, dragons, reptiles, owls, and a castle that changes color when the umbrella is exposed to rain. It has a kid-friendly design that is great for children as young as 3 years old and a J-shape handle. This umbrella is easy to open and close and has a Velcro strap to help wrap up the umbrella when it’s not in use.

Price at time of publication: $16

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Hunterboots.com View On Zappos

Available in several colors, this umbrella is durable, kid-friendly, and great for kids who prefer simplicity as opposed to bright colors or character designs. The umbrella canopy is waterproof, has welded seams for extra protection, and is crease-proof so it will always look great when it’s popped open. It has an easy open and close design, a hook handle, and a snap strap for when it’s stowed away.

Price at time of publication: $40

Courtesy of Melissa and Doug

View On Christystoyoutlet.com

Kids 4 years old and up can stay dry under this umbrella that features bright colors and a bug design. It’s made from high-quality, durable materials, and has a pinch-proof open and close design. Sized just right for little kids, it features rounded safety tips on each of the prongs to avoid accidental injuries.

Price at time of publication: $13

Courtesy of Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom

With this adorable set, your kid not only gets an umbrella but a matching jacket as well. You can choose from princess, rainbow, or mermaid designs with coordinating jackets available in sizes 2T through 6X. The umbrella is 22 inches long and 27 inches wide when it’s open, it has a J-shape handle, safety tips over the prongs, and a kid-friendly open-and-close design.

Price at time of publication: $64

Final Verdict

Any of these umbrellas will keep your kiddo dry on a rainy day, but the Hunter Original Kids’ Moustache Bubble Umbrella (view at Hunterboots.com) is the best for durability, while the Spellbound Colour Changing Clear Umbrella (view at Maisonette.com) ranks first for design, without sacrificing function.

What to Look for in Umbrellas for Kids

Size

Just like adult umbrellas, the size of kid's umbrellas varies. For toddlers, a smaller option that is under 30 inches when open might be easier for them to control, while a larger option could be better for big kids.

Overall, you want an umbrella that will be big enough to cover their bodies should it start raining. This will ensure your child's outfit and hair stay dry, and it's also an umbrella they can handle by themselves. If you're unsure of the size of the umbrella, check the company's dimensions for comparison.

Kid-Friendly Features

The whole point of buying a kids' umbrella is to encourage them to use it on their own. Ensure that the umbrella that you choose is easy for them to shut, has a pinch-proof closure, and features an easy-to-control J-shaped handle.

These are all important features to look for in an umbrella for kids because this will help them use the umbrella independently. An umbrella that's too hard to close and pinches their fingers doesn't fit the bill.

Design

The best way to encourage your child to use their own umbrella is to purchase a style that they actually like. Whether it's covered in dinosaurs, rainbows, or their favorite cartoon character, buying an umbrella that has a design that they like will get them excited to use it.

While you know your child best, it doesn't hurt to ask them what design they may like on an umbrella. For parents and caregivers who are unsure about what design to go with, you can't go wrong with a simple color.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age can a kid use an umbrella?

Unless otherwise indicated by the manufacturer, kids can begin using child-sized umbrellas around age three. By this point, most children will be ready and able to hold the umbrella on their own without injuring themselves or others or choking on spare pieces.
How do you clean an umbrella?

Fabric umbrellas can be washed with a mixture of warm water, white vinegar, and mild dish soap. If yours contains metal parts, be sure to dry it upside down and open to avoid rust from forming.
Should my stroller have an umbrella?

While you can purchase an umbrella that clips on to your stroller, most strollers come equipped with water-resistant canopies that can protect riders from direct sunlight and drizzle. For heavier rains, a stroller rain cover may be useful. Many options can be secured with ties or velcro to resist wind and can be easily folded and conveniently stowed beneath the stroller seat, so they’re less bulky than umbrellas.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Ashley Ziegler is a staff and freelance writer who covers lifestyle, home, parenting, and commerce for a variety of platforms. She’s a mom to 1-year-old and 4-year-old daughters and an aunt to 3 nieces and 2 nephews ranging from 5 to 11 years old. In addition to regularly scouring the internet to find the best things for herself, Ashley spends multiple hours a week researching, comparing, and writing about products specifically for kids and families.