The 10 Best Toddler Sunglasses
This wiki has been updated 23 times since it was first published in May of 2018. All toddlers enjoy playing outdoors, and a reliable pair of sunglasses will help protect their eyes from harmful UV rays, especially during the summer months. We’ve rounded up many of the most durable models in a variety of attractive styles and colors, including ones with straps to hold them in place during activities like T-ball, soccer, or playing at the park or beach. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Babiators Blue Series
2. Bib-On Vintage
3. Babiators Aviator
Editor's Notes
June 18, 2020:
Although most parents are vigilant about protecting their toddler’s skin with sunscreen, fewer regularly outfit their tot with a pair of UV-protective sunglasses. Today we added a pair to our list that provide full UV protection, the Babiators Blue Series. Their polarized lenses also help to reduce harsh glare, so objects appear crisper and clearer. They come in neutral black or fun shades like turquoise and melon, and are equipped with an elastic strap to keep them in place on your child’s head. If your toddler enjoys these, you can opt for two larger sizes as they grow, which will accommodate kids up to 10 years of age. This model joins the Babiators Aviator on the list, which are another high-quality pair that stand up to a toddler’s rambunctious play. Note that both of these come with a replacement guarantee, whereby the manufacturer will send a new pair should the original one become lost or broken within the first year. For another sturdy set that come in a package of two, we added the Bib-On Vintage, which also feature a flexible build that can stand up to twisting and bending without problem. You can choose from among three color combinations, including navy and teal, pink and fuchsia, and black and teal. Their matte finish won’t show fingerprints, and you can buy them with a little extra peace of mind, knowing a portion of each sales goes to charity.
For a pair that provides a lot of bang for your buck, look to the PolarSpex Super, which come in an array of fun designs like stars and stripes, plaid patterns, and even Pete the Cat. They’re also available in several solids for those who like something less busy. Their lenses are made to reduce glare, and soft hinges make sure they don’t cause scratches when your little one puts them on or takes them off. They come with a high-quality storage case. A budget-friendly choice that carries a simple, timeless aesthetic are the Coolsome Flexible, which come in basic black and include a handy strap so they can be hung from your child’s neck when they’re not in use. These too come with a handy drawstring storage pouch.
In today’s update, we removed the Julbo Looping, amidst reports of these running small and breaking rather easily, as well as the Lalana Polarized, which aren’t very flexible, so they too can break rather easily when handled by toddlers. For safety’s sake, always supervise babies and young children with their sunglasses, and choose a pair that won’t break or shatter when dropped, or that could cut your child with sharp hinges. If you’re looking for a pair of shades for older children, check out our list of best sunglasses for kids.
Special Honors
Kids Sunglasses Collection These fun shades feature vibrant prints and cute icons, and they’re designed with 100% UVA and UVB protection. Available exclusively from Pottery Barn, they’re BPA-, phthalate-, and lead-free, and are easy to spot-clean. You can choose from among fun themes like dinosaurs with green stripes, sharks with navy stripes, unicorns with aqua stripes, and more. potterybarnkids.com
Glambaby Aliyah Cat Eye Sunglasses These translucent glitter frames are designed to fit kids between six months and seven years of age. They provide 100% UVA and UVB protection and are made of sturdy resin. They feature a fun rust color and holes shaped like cat ears on the side of each lens. They go great with a feline Halloween costume or just for wearing around town. nordstrom.com
4. PolarSpex Super
5. Kushies Kids Dupont
6. Coolsome Flexible
7. Wodison Reflective
8. Leico Fashion Hello Kitty
9. Kidz Banz Adventure
10. Real Kids Shades Explorer
Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.