Essential gear you will need for taking baby to the beach
As all parents know, a babies skin is far more fragile than adults and extra care needs to be taken out in the sun, especially on a day trip to the beach.
As well as sunscreen, the next most important protection your baby has against the sun is wearing an anti-UV sun hat.
We’ve tried several over the years with our three little Globetrotters and we know it can be hard to get babies to keep a hat on – but the earlier they learn the more success you’ll have. When it comes time for their first trip to the beach, here’s what you need to look for in a baby beach hat.
This post is part of our tried and tested travel product series and our favourite accessories for the beach
Features to look for in a baby sun hat for the beach
Whilst you may have a cute everyday sun hat that your baby or toddler enjoys wearing around the garden of to the park, there are a few extra considerations when you are looking at a baby hat for the beach and out in the heat.
- An anti-UV hat is designed in a fabric tested, produced, and certified in accordance with the filtering standards of ultraviolet rays, whose effectiveness is defined by a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor). For the highest sun protection for children, choose it with the mention UPF 50+, guaranteed to filter more than 98% of UVA and UVB rays.
- Wide brim – in order to provide as much protection as possible, your baby sun hat should have a wide brim all the way around. Even better if it has a flap at the back as well to prevent sunburn on the sensitive neck area.
- Breathable – if your baby is sweating up a storm, they’ll be more inclined to rip that hat straight off. Look for designs that allow a through-flow of air and are made from a breathable material, preferably with a lining.
- Adjustable sizing – we know no two baby heads are the same size, looking for hats that allow not only adjustment under the chin but an adjustable cord around the head circumference will ensure the best fit.
Here’s our selection of top baby hats on the market at present offering baby the best protection and giving you peace of mind our in the sun.
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Exemaba Baby Sun Hat Adjustable – Outdoor Toddler Swim Beach Pool Hat
This baby sun hat is made with UPF 50+ sun protection polyester fabric and has a wide brim for the excellent sun protection coverage for babies, toddlers, and kids. Available in 10 fun and playful patterns and varying sizes to fit your baby or toddlers head.
The head strap and the chin strap are flexible to create the best fit possible, and the chin strap can also be detached if you’d prefer. An adjustable strap around the head gives you sizing flexibility as your child grows.
This sun hat is designed with a 2.5-inch brim helping baby stay cool and protected under the sun. The quick-drya material then folds up small, perfect for fitting into your beach bag or hand bag.
LANGZHEN Sun Protection Hat for Kids
This cute sun protection kid’s hat is made from 100% high-quality, soft, breathable, lightweight material. With a couple of dozen cheerful patterns to choose from they are perfect for both baby boys and girls. Variable sizing means you can find the perfect fit for your child’s head.
The wide brim protects face, neck and ears while the adjustable chin strap helps firmly hold the hat in place for windy conditions. The brim can be flipped up at the front if preferred for baby to see. It is an ideal sun protection hat for the beach.
Baby Sun Hat Toddler
This baby and toddler sun hat is made with mesh denim material and has a breathable lining. The chin strap is easily adjustable with a drawstring clasp allowing it to hold firmly in place and not blow off in the wind. It comes with a 2.2-inch wide brim to safeguards eyes and face from UV rays and helps your infant remain cool under the sun. The brim can also be pinned up on the sides to wear it “cowboy” style.
Available in bright pink, blue, green and white this is a wonderful sun hat for conveniently fitting into your bag and comes in a variety of sizes from newborn up to 8 years old! It is easily hand or machine washable.
Brook + Bay Kids Sun Hat for Toddler
This kid’s sun hat is made using 100% Polyester and has a UPF 50+ rating. It provides great covereage for both the face and the neck. These caps and hats consist of a soft chin strap, so it stays secure for all-day play.
It is incredibly lightweight and folds ups really easily to fit in a small bag or even a pocket. It can fit snug enough not to blow off. It provides great all-round protection for kids from sun rays at the beach.
Zando Baby Sun Hat Kids
This sun hat is made of high-quality cotton and keeps the kids soft and comfortable all day. It has a wide brim that safeguards & shields for the best sun protection coverage for babies, toddlers, and kids.
Available in more than a dozen fun and colourful critter designs, the chin strap with toggle helps hold the sun hat in place.
HGGE Kids Girls Sun Hat
This SPF 50+ girl’s sun hat is perfect for head circumferences of 19-21 inches. With an elastic enclosure and a ponytail hole, it is ideal for girls with longer hair – keep that cute hairstyle while keeping your hat on in the hot summer months!
Available in a dozen different feminine colour variations so you can pick your little girls favourite, the fabric is soft, waterproof, quick-drying and comfortable enough to wear all day. There’s an inbuilt inner sweatband to help absorb excess sweat out in the sun.
Both sides of these hats are made of breathable mesh panels that allow heat to escape and air to flow. It has foldable side snaps that will enable your child to experience different styles, as well as an adjustable chin strap.
Connectyle Kids UPF 50+ Bucket Sun Hat
A straight forward but versatile sun hat made from breathable, UPF polyester, including side mesh for airflow. Available in over a dozen bright colours, it will fit most children aged 2 to 6 years with a wide floppy brim maximizing sun protection. A velcro strap helps hold the sun hat in place.
Sun Protection Zone Kids UPF 50+ Safari Sun Hat
This kid’s hat will safeguard your little kid from the harmful rays. It is made from ultra-protective microfiber and mesh, which makes it lightweight.
Muryobao Kids Girls Boys Sun Hat
This sun hat is made of 100% high-quality quick-drying nylon fabric, which is very soft to the touch, lightweight, sturdy, waterproof, and breathable and of course, UPF 50+. It has an ultra-wide brim and long enough to provide good protection to the neck and top of the back as well.
The inner sweatband will capture any excess sweat, and the breathable mesh vents help with airflow so your little girl should be happy to wear it all day. An adjustable head strap helps perfectly fit the sun hat to your child’s head size and the shin strap will secure the hat against the wind. it comes in 5 pretty feminine shades perfect for your little ladies.
HINDAWI Sun Hats for Kids Girls
For your slightly older toddlers through to little girls, this wide-brimmed sun hat (4.3″) is the perfect addition for the beach. It provides excellent protection for the head, eyes, face, and neck from harmful sun UV rays, which means more time for outdoor activities.
The fabric of this sun hat is soft, sturdy, lightweight, waterproof, quick-drying, and comfortable. It suits head circumferences of 19-21 inches but comes with a handy velcro fastener to adfjust to their growing head and includes a detachable chin cord.
More handy tips taking baby to the beach
Remember there is far more to taking a baby to the beach than simply plonking on a hat and sunscreen and letting them go.
All of the Globetrotters have grown up in a hot, desert environment so we have compiled here our top tips for helping babies deal with the heat. In short you also need to consider when taking your baby to the beach:
- Staying hydrated – encourage your little one to drink lots of milk/water. Try an insulated bottle for keeping water cooler, longer.
- Additional beach protection of using a baby beach tent, made from breathable fabric.
- Staying out of the sun altogether during the peak heat of the day, at least 11 am to 3 pm in the middle of summer.
- Wearing a full-length baby sunsuit for the beach. This won’t negate the need for sunscreen but gives an extra layer of sun protection.
- Using a UPF 50+ waterproof baby sling or wrap in the sun to keep baby close and protected while you’re swimming
Before traveling far from home with your baby, don’t forget to check out all our Baby Travel Essentials that have gotten us through those early years of travelling with our kids (includes a printable packing list). For older tots, check out our Toddler Travel Essentials.
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