The sun and its wickedly bright ways are just as damaging to kids' eyes as adults, which is why many eye specialists recommend wrapping a pair of sunglasses across their innocent eyes as young as six months old. Teaching your kids the importance of protecting their eyes from a young age will also set them up for a life of sensible fun in the sun.
Youth sunglasses are a big business these days, with brands like ActiveSol and Polaroid creating extensive styles to suit kids of all ages from toddlers to tweens. Amazon, Argos, and eBay are putting the sun in its place with some scorching deals on polarised and UV400 sunglasses that look the part while also being sun-smart – and we're going to introduce you to ten of the best.
Quick List - Top Sunglasses for Kids
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Landing on a pair of sunglasses that your kids will actually enjoy and take pride in wearing is half the battle as a parent. In this simple buying guide, you'll be lead through the ways in which kids' sunglasses either shine or end up taking a trip to the tip before the sun puts its hat on.
When deciding on whether a pair of sunnies is likely to fit your kid's face or inevitably slip and slide all over the place, it's best to look at the age recommendation alongside the lens width. These considerations combined will give you a well-rounded view of fit.
With all kids sprouting at different times and requiring varying degrees of safety-focused products, the recommended age of sunglasses is an important one. This can differ quite substantially depending on brand and sizing, however, it's more than likely for kids' sunglasses to sit in the 3-10 years range.
This is noticeably broad, which is why it's also recommended to look at any included measurements alongside the age bracket to give the best chance of them fitting. Higher-end sunglasses are known to be a little more precise with their sizing, honing in on age brackets of just a few years.
On the other end of the quality spectrum, budget kids' sunglasses won't usually include an age recommendation – or any measurements for that matter – but when looking at the prices, it's hard to argue.
Finding a pair of sunglasses that'll seamlessly slip onto your kid's face and stay there will also be heavily influenced by the width of the lenses. Measured at the widest point of each lens, this integral measurement will give the best overview, as both eye size and face width will be accounted for.
Most lenses on kids' sunglasses will be between 40-50 mm wide. The style of each pair will affect the lens width, with wrap-around sunnies having wider lenses than that of retro styles. Wider lenses are generally more effective at blocking out every ray of light, while pulled in-sunnies have more peripheral open space, potentially letting some UV rays in.
Cross-correlating lens width with age recommendation will help you find a pair of sunnies for your child to get some instant comfort with, helping them grow into an appreciation of wearing and protecting.
Making sure your child's sunnies are up to scratch on the UV and construction fronts will give them the best chance of protecting their eyes in a safe and certain manner, so here, we're going to tell you how to do just that.
Another lens-specific consideration that's as important as any is how well they stand up against UV rays. Eye specialists have worked out that by the time a child is 18, their internal eye will have absorbed 50% of the entire amount of ultraviolet light it will take on in a lifetime. This makes eye protection essential to get right from the get-go.
Try to scope out sunglasses that block 99-100% of both UVA and UVB rays, which are equally as harsh and damaging as one another. An easy way to tell this is to go for glasses that proudly state to be 'UV400' – this means they block 100% of rays and give your child a one way ticket to protection-ville.
Another sought-after lens option are, of course, polarised lenses. These are seen as a great way to eliminate any annoying glare from the sun that can strike without warning when reflective surfaces are around.
As far as safety is concerned, there's only one material you need to look for with kids' sunglasses lenses: polycarbonate. This wonder-plastic is the go-to for any pair of specs where safety is of utmost importance; when you know builder's safety glasses come equipped with the stuff, it's clear polycarbonate lives up to the hype.
Through having high durability and impact-resistance, they are known to be 10 times stronger than ordinary, run-of-the mill plastics. These plastics are still readily used in kids' sunglasses on the cheaper side, where cost-cutting reigns supreme over quality, so it all depends on what's most important.
With kids being a bit dubious as to why they actually need to wear sunglasses, making sure the frame is both comfortable and designed to last can only help in teaching them to love what they wear.
The frames of kids' sunglasses, for the most part, will be constructed from either plastic or rubber. Where plastic frames are concerned, the bulk of them will be made of a hard plastic composite, just as a lot of regular, adult-sized sunnies are.
These can be seen as suiting slightly older children who can be trusted not to destroy their sunglasses for the sheer joy (or anger) of it. If you think this is a possibility, however, look out for soft plastic frames that are bendable and can handle more of a rough-and-ready ride.
For the youngest kids who are likely to try and throw, jump on or eat their sunglasses, be on the look out for rubber frames. These formable, bendable designs are almost indestructible, sometimes even being built from one single piece of rubber to stem off any little bits ending up in the kiddywinks' mouths.
Children grow up so fast these days. Growing into their own style is part of becoming a well-rounded person ready to face the day with their chin up, eyes shaded and on the prize. The design of a certain pair of sunnies will ultimately come down to the shape and style of their frames.
Kids' wrap-around sunnies do tend to focus more on substance than style. They are excellent at blocking out every sneaky bit of light while remaining securely fastened with little chance of blowing away with the wind. These desirable attributes can make wrap-arounds a good option for sport, exercise and active days out.
On the other side of the spectrum comes every other frame style, from retro to oversized, Ray-Ban-inspired to aviators. They focus on looking the part just as much as their practicality, but there's no right or wrong, it really just depends on what your child is into. Remember, though, they're more likely to wear them if they like them!
To sway your decision as much as possible, some brands have ever so kindly included an accessory or two with their products. Just like with adult's pairs, look for cleaning cloths, cases and mini screwdrivers to save you buying them yourself and ensure your child's sunnies last for longer.
One accessory that stands out for kids' sunglasses in particular is a back strap, cleverly designed to keep the shades exactly where they should be. It's worth noting, however, that straps don't appear on all styles – they're most common on wrap-around and sport-focused designs.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ActiveSol Kids Polarised Sunglasses | ![]() | A Truly Impressive Pair of Kids' Sunglasses | |
2 | Polaroid Kids Sunglasses | ![]() | High-Spec Polarised Sunnies From Polaroid to You | |
3 | Kiddus Kids Sunglasses | ![]() | Kudos to Kiddus on Another Pair of Safety-First Shades | |
4 | Duco Kids Polarised Sunglasses | ![]() | Perfect for the Next Crop of Sporting Stars | |
5 | Kiddus Kids Sunglasses | ![]() | Wrap-Arounds to Keep 2-6 Year Olds Cool and Shaded | |
6 | Vatter Kids Sport Sunglasses | ![]() | Safety and Sport Focused for Active Kids | |
7 | Fourchen Kids Polarised Sunglasses | ![]() | Tonnes of Colours to Choose From With Soft Silicone Frames | |
8 | Perfeclan 2 Pairs of Polarised Kids Sunglasses | ![]() | Two Retro Pairs of Sunnies for the Price of One | |
9 | EyeLevel Bow Sunglasses | ![]() | Cute as Punch and Affordable Too | |
10 | Tu Circular Aviator Sunglasses | ![]() | Simple Sunnies to Shade Your Child's Eyes for Less |
If your kids like jumping up and down and generally bouncing all around, then this flexible rubber pair should keep up with them well. Designed for kids aged 2-6, these bendable shades will keep on shining through it all without a chance of snapping.
They also offer the holy trinity of lens construction – UV400, polarised and polycarbonate – and the rubber frames will be soft on your child's face while remaining intact and in place. If you needed any more convincing, the easily clipped-on elastic strap will keep the sunnies wrapped, strapped and safely attached.
With a more honed in sense of age, this high-end pair of sunnies from Polaroid are made specifically for kids aged 5-8 years. The all-plastic frame also lends itself to kids with a more distinguished sense of pride in what they own and use.
Polycarbonate lenses give plenty of insurance where safety is concerned, allowing your kids to soak in all of the sun's glory in a safe manner. Classically styled and with four cool colourways to choose from, this range from Polaroid is reliable, versatile and unique.
These function-first sunnies really knock the safety aspects out of the park, which is very reassuring as they're intended for any kid over the age of 2. This 100% UV400-blocking pair will perfectly suit younger ones as they're basically indestructible.
The all-rubber frame with elastic strap will give your child a comfortable yet firm feeling of security when tearing up the playground or park. The polycarbonate lenses also hit the high notes on safety, so they'll remain intact even if they're dropped from the top of the climbing frame.
Another pair of sunnies for the sporting champions of the future, these rubber, wrap-around shades will keep your kids protected on the pitch, field or beach. The polycarbonate, polarised lenses haven't missed a beat either with a UV400 rating, cancelling out any chance of the sun poking its bright head in.
This pair come with an age recommendation of 3-10 years, but with the wide wrap-around lenses stretching to 54 mm, the lower end of this range is a little unrealistic. If you have a kid around 10 years, though, and you remember to do a bit of measuring, these are a great buy for slightly older active kids.
Kiddus are one of the undisputed market leaders when it comes to eyewear for children. Knowing what works, they've been able to create a far-reaching range of high-grade specs. Recommended for kids aged 2-6 years, this wrap-around pair is poised to suit even the most boisterous kids in the park.
With an all-rubber frame, polycarbonate lenses and an optional clip-on elastic strap, this is a safety-specific pair of sunnies that can grow with your child. The dinosaur print that adorns the entire length of the frame ensures your youngest will be strutting proudly as they stay protected.
These wrap-around sunnies are ideal for kids looking to keep their eyes protected when on the move. The frame lends itself incredibly well to remaining firmly in place, while the included sports strap will ensure they don't end up on the ground when your child is running and darting about.
The 56 mm polycarbonate lenses are, of course, polarised and come with a reassuring UV400 rating. Also included is a cleaning cloth, a screwdriver and a polarising test card, making this a long-lasting buy that's perfect for sporty, active kids.
Fourchen have got the colour coordination going on with this range of soft, silicone-framed sunnies. Allowing your child to choose their desired colourway from the 20+ options will help them gain an appreciation for wearing sunglasses.
Inspired by the iconic Wayfarer frames of the 1950's, the polarised lenses are 45 mm in width with a UV400 rating. Ray-Bans' style has been replicated the world over and for good reason, allowing your child to feel protected and comfy in style in a pair of Fourchen's.
Did someone say two for the price of one? That's right, with this deal, you'll get two pairs for just over £5. Perfect whether you have two kids or you'd just like a back-up pair. And let's not ignore that they're as stylishly-retro as you can get with their circular lenses and frames, creating 60's scenes wherever your child walks.
Hitting you with UV400, polarised lenses just makes this jaw-dropping bargain even sweeter! However, once again, no age bracket is divulged, but with a lens width of 37 mm, they are likely to fit the smallest of kids.
Another option for anyone after a bargain, EyeLevel have created a thing of sheer cuteness in this pink and blue pair with a bow and love hearts to match. Polycarbonate, UV400 lenses also ensures these sunnies aren't all style and no substance.
The lens width (including frame) is sitting fairly high at 55 mm, making these suited to older girls, perhaps with a growth spurt already behind them. No specific age recommendation has been included though, leaving a little guesswork to be made in an air of doubt.
With a modern touch of simple lines and design, these sunnies from Tu are a slimmed-down ode to the aviators of old. Being recommended for any child over the age of three instructs that these sunnies are standard in sizing and scope.
Unfortunately, no measurements have been included to give you a better idea on sizing. However, what we do know is that their lenses have 100% UV protection – which, for under £5, is certainly nothing to be scoffed at.
Every member of the family deserves to keep their eyes protected from the powerful punch of the sun. That's why we've included a few more top 10 rankings to do just that! With babies sunglasses, polarised sunglasses and even dog goggles, the whole family will be looking cool, staying shaded and feeling better.
Teaching kids good eye-protective practices from a young age will set them up for a life of keeping cool while in the company of the sun. We hope this article helped in finding a pair of sunnies for your child that they'll love to rock straight out the box.
Author: Connor Macanally
No. 1: ActiveSol|Kids Polarised Sunglasses
No. 2: Polaroid|Kids Sunglasses
No. 3: Kiddus|Kids Sunglasses
No. 4: Duco|Kids Polarised Sunglasses
No. 5: Kiddus|Kids Sunglasses
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