Sun safety brings to mind the importance of sunscreen, but sunglasses are just as important of a tool to protect your baby from the sun’s harmful rays. This underestimated accessory also blocks their eyes from unwanted irritants like dirt, dust, pollen, and sand.
When you consider the fact that babies and kids are at a much higher risk of getting retinal damage from the sun compared to adults, shielding those little eyes becomes a much higher priority.
In order to protect the apple of your eye’s vision, we shine a light on the top sunglasses on the market!
Best Polarized Sunglasses for Your Little One
RIVBOS Kids Sunglasses are polarized and scratch resistant but include a neck strap to keep them from getting lost, yet if they do get lost, the company will replace the glasses for free; while the Pro Acme TR90 Sunglasses are polarized and offer 100% UV protection. These sunglasses are considered unbreakable and the company backs that by offering a lifetime warranty for both the frames and lenses.
RIVBOS Rubber Kids Sunglasses
These shades are a 10/10 in durability and design! This product is great for toddlers and young kids and even protects against blue light!
Why We Love It
These sunnies provide top-notch protection by completely blocking out UVA, UVB, and UVC rays! On top of that, they also shield out any natural and manufactured blue light, they are polarized to reduce glare and they have a coating that is scratch resistant! Keep your kids looking trendy with their outstanding selection of colored frames and lenses.
RIVBOS goes the extra mile by ensuring these sunglasses don’t disappear by providing the neck strap, but if they do seem to wander off, they will replace them for FREE! Moreover, the rubber composition allows for more durability, but if you have a little Hulk on your hands, they also give customers a lifetime guarantee!
Why We Don’t Love It
Sizing is not listed online, but users note that these sunglasses run on the small side. However, the company wants you to have stress-free shopping. Therefore, if you order them and they don’t fit, you have thirty days to get your money back, guaranteed!
Considerations
- Age: 3+
- Polarized
- Durable Frame and Lenses
- Variety of Frame Color Options
- Variety of Lens Color Options
- 100% UVA/UVB/UVC Protection (UV400)
- Blue Light Protection
- Adjustable Neck Strap Included
- Lifetime Guarantee
Pro Acme TR90 Kids Sunglasses
Protect your child’s eyes with these fantastic, affordable sunglasses! They come in a multitude of colors and their flexible frame ensures that they will last!
Why We Love It
Pro Acme TR90 are advertised as unbreakable and the company backs that claim with a lifetime guarantee! That is a bold statement considering how skilled our little ones can be at destroying seemingly “durable” items. This goes for the frames AND the lenses, so no matter which way they bend them, where they throw them, or even if they step on them, these shades will go the distance!
Furthermore, this company goes the extra mile with the lens design. Not only do they provide 100% UV protection, but they are also polarized!
Why We Don’t Love It
The lens coating has been reported to wear away relatively quickly, but thankfully the company has replacement protocols. Remember to avoid cleaning the lenses with chemical-based cleaners. The company recommends soap and water to prevent deterioration.
Moreover, while these are a great choice for older kids, they can be a bit large for toddlers and babies.
Considerations
- Polarized
- Durable Frame and Lenses
- Variety of Frame Color Options
- Variety of Lens Color Options
- 100% UVA/UVB Protection (UV400)
- Storage Pouch and Cleaning Cloth Included
- Lifetime Guarantee
Roshambo Baby Junior Shades
Your little fashionista will look fabulous in these designer specs and their eyes will be safe from UV light!
Why We Love It
Roshambo’s spiffy sunglasses are not just kid-proof, they are baby safe! Ingredients like latex, BPA, and lead won’t be found in the materials used to make these shades, which means that whether they stay on your little one’s face, or end up in their mouth, they will be golden!
Furthermore, kiss vision issues goodbye! These frames are prepped for prescription lenses. This is not a quality that most kid’s sunglasses have so this is a fantastic added feature for those tots that need a little extra help to see.
Why We Don’t Love It
Designer goods come at a price. These run about double the cost of many of the other options on our list. However, the price tag may be worth it, depending on what qualities you are looking for in your kid’s sunglasses, so weigh your options.
Considerations
- Age: 4-12 years
- Available Sizes for 0-2 and 2- to 4-Year-Olds
- Polarized
- Available Sizes for 3- to 5-Year-Olds
- Durable Frame and Lenses
- Variety of Frame Color Options
- Compatible with Prescription Lenses
- 100% UVA/UVB Protection (UV400)
Pro Acme TPEE Kids Sunglasses
These specs are a classic style with the same spectacular protection as alternative designs!
Why We Love It
Another product made by Pro Acme, these TPEE sunglasses are a few extra bucks, but they are worth every added penny when you take into account that you have various sizes to choose from to guarantee a tailored fit!
Furthermore, the TPEE design has almost double the color selection of the TR90, giving your picky fashionista a wide array of choices! They even offer mirrored lenses for the kid who wants some extra flare! Finally, no matter which color palette you choose, these specs give your child exemplary protection from the sun.
Why We Don’t Love It
While the actual frame and lenses are durable, the joints tend to not withstand as much force. This can lead to them breaking is pulled the wrong way. Don’t forget though, the company promises a lifetime guarantee so if this occurs, just contact them for a replacement!
Considerations
- Age: 3-10 Years
- Multiple Size Options: Extra Small to Large
- Polarized
- Durable Frame and Lenses
- Variety of Frame Color Options
- Variety of Lens Color Options
- 100% UVA/UVB Protection (UV400)
- Storage Pouch and Cleaning Cloth Included
- Lifetime Guarantee
JAN & JUL Baby Toddler Sunglasses
Your little youngster will love these frames. They are a toddler-friendly choice that is BPA, Phthalate, and PVC free!
Why We Love It
The JAN & JUL frames come in an array of colors and sizes to accommodate your little one from six months to six years of age! They have an adjustable strap to help keep these specs on your child’s head, but it is detachable for when they outgrow the need for this feature! Furthermore, since they are tailored for a younger child, the company has made this product with materials that are safe if they land in your baby’s mouth.
Why We Don’t Love It
Parents report that this brand can run a bit on the smaller side, so make sure to confirm your child’s measurements before ordering! They provide all of this information so it is easy to confirm.
Considerations
- Age: 6 Months – 2 Years
- Available Sizes for 6 Months – 6 Years and 2- to 6-Year-Olds
- Polarized
- Durable Frame and Lenses
- Variety of Frame Color Options
- Variety of Lens Color Options
- Adjustable and Detachable Neck Strap
- 100% UVA/UVB Protection (UV400)
- BPA, Phthalate, and PVC Free
Minishades Classic Kids Sunglasses
Minishades are an adorable choice in eye protection that have been on the market for over 25 years!
Why We Love It
Sturdy, safe, and stylish! This is another option aimed at small children who like to put everything in their mouths. They are free of BPA, lead, Phthalate, and PVC, giving you peace of mind that your babe will stay safe no matter where the glasses go!
Also, these are another prescription compatible choice — Hello 20/20 vision! Furthermore, for a small fee, you can get the sunglasses replaced if they are broken or misplaced under their “Hide n’ Seek” Warranty.
Why We Don’t Love It
The lenses are reported to not stay quite as secure in the frames compared to other brands. Moreover, these sunglasses run on the more pricey end of our top products list.
Considerations
- Age: 0-3 Years
- Available Sizes for 3- to 7-Year-Olds
- Polarized
- Impact Tested
- Variety of Frame Color Options
- UV Protection Coating
- Compatible with Prescription Lenses
- One time Hide n’ Seek Warranty (for a fee)
- BPA, Lead, Phthalate, and PVC Free
livho Classic Aviator Sunglasses
Win cool points by purchasing these sleek shades for the tween in your life! These glasses provide safety and style in a variety of color options.
Why We Love It
The lightweight frame is made from stainless steel, which means it is less susceptible to wear and tear! Rust is no longer a concern when worn around the pool and they are scratch-resistant! Furthermore, the aviator style lenses come in a variety of shades to suit the young boy or girl in your life.
Moreover, the livho sunglasses come at an extremely affordable price! At a little over $10, these are one of the cheaper options on our list that don’t skimp on quality!
Why We Don’t Love It
The nose pad can cause the glasses to sit a bit farther out on the face, which some users did not like and the lenses are not as durable as the frames. They have been reported to fall out. However, the company will fix any issues that arise so contact them if these problems occur.
Considerations
- Age: 8-12 Years
- Polarized
- Large Design
- Stainless Steel Frame
- Variety of Frame Color Options
- Variety of Lens Color Options
- 100% UVA/UVB Protection (UV400)
- Resistant to Impact and Scratching
- Storage Pouch and Cleaning Cloth Included
Best Sunglasses for Your Little One
The Babiators Original Navigator Sunglasses and the Original WeeFarers Children’s Sunglasses are mini versions of adult-like sunglasses perfect for both sun and the cool factor; whereas the Baby Banz Sunglasses and the Tuga Sunglasses are more like a goggle sunglass with straps, making them the perfect choice for a trip to the beach with your little one.
Babiators Original Navigator Sunglasses
A play on the classic aviator style, these shades will not only keep your little one’s eyes safe, but they will look cool wearing them too!
Why We Love It
Babiators have an ultra-durable rubber frame and shatterproof lenses! In addition, they are available in infant and toddler sizes to accommodate your little one at every stage.
More importantly, the lenses have a UV400 designation. This guarantees protection against UVA and UVA rays. They are also BPA and Phthalate free! This is important when you think about how much goes into your baby’s mouth.
Why We Don’t Love It
The lenses are not polarized, which means that when your child is near any reflective surface, like water, snow, or white sand, they will experience a glare. This can make it harder for them to see clearly.
They do sell polarized versions, but they come at a hefty cost — almost double the price of these. When you consider the fact that this brand is already on the more expensive end of our top sunglasses list, this is a less desirable selling point.
Considerations
- Age: 0-2 years
- Available Sizes for 3- to 5-Year-Olds
- Durable Frame and Lenses
- Variety of Frame Color Options
- 100% UVA/UVB Protection (UV400)
- 1 Year Warranty
- BPA and Phthalate Free
Original WeeFarers Children’s Sunglasses
This Ray Ban mini-me will keep your kid looking cool while staying safe in the sun!
Why We Love It
Your kid will be too cool for preschool in these awesome shades! Weefarers provide safety from the sun as well as if these specs land in your baby’s mouth (BPA and phthalate free)! These flexible, rubber frames are also under a one-year warranty if damaged or lost!
Why We Don’t Love It
These shades are not polarized so glare can be a bit of an issue. While this may not seem like a problem for kids under three, the less distraction they have while they are gaining their footing is important.
Moreover, these are a little bit more expensive than some of the other varieties, but when you consider the photo opportunities you can have with your little one in your matching shades, can you really put a price on that? You will have to decide!
Considerations
- Age: 2-3 Years
- Available Sizes for 0-1-Year-Olds
- Durable Frame and Lenses
- Variety of Frame Color Options
- Adjustable Neck Strap Included
- 100% UVA/UVB Protection (UV400)
- BPA and Phthalate Free
- Storage Pouch and Cleaning Cloth Included
- 1-Year WeeFarers Warranty
Baby Solo Babyfarer Sunglasses
Your little tyke with catch everyone’s attention at the pool while wearing these cute sunnies!
Why We Love It
Baby Solo has so many fun and different prints that your little one will love! This family owned company strives to keep the little ones in your life safe from the sun while also giving you a better chance of not misplacing these sunglasses. They not only include an adjustable neck strap, but also a sturdy case to store them when not in use.
Why We Don’t Love It
These specs will run you more than many of the other choices on our list, but considering that they come with an actual storage case, and not just a cloth bag, it seems worth the added cost.
Considerations
- Age: 0-2 Years
- Available in Other Styles with Sizes for 0-3-Year-Olds
- Durable Frame and Lenses
- Variety of Frame Color Options
- Variety of Lens Color Options
- Adjustable Neck Strap Included
- 100% UVA/UVB Protection (UV400)
- BPA Free
- Sturdy Case Included
Baby Banz Sunglasses
Affordable, adjustable, and adorable! These baby goggles give you the protection your little one’s eyes need while ensuring that they fit them throughout the first few years of life!
Why We Love It
The Baby Banz strap is made with neoprene, which wetsuits are made of, so they handle well on land or in the water! They are easily adjusted and cleaned. Additionally, this is another frame that is compatible with prescription lenses.
Why We Don’t Love It
While they are listed as “no glare” sunglasses, there is no confirmation on whether they are actually polarized.
Considerations
- Age: 0-2 Years
- No Glare Sunglasses
- Durable Frame and Lenses
- Variety of Frame Color Options
- 100% UVA/UVB Protection (UV400)
- Adjustable Strap
- Compatible with Prescription Lenses
- 1 Year Warranty
Tuga Baby & Toddler Sunglasses
Keep the sun, sand, and any other irritants out of your baby’s eyes with these adorable sun goggles!
Why We Love It
For the younger kids who can’t seem to keep sunglasses on their face for more than a few minutes, if not a few seconds, Tuga offers a fantastic solution! They provide two different straps to secure the glasses on your little one’s head and allow the sunnies to grow with your baby!
Additionally, there is no worry of losing or breaking the sunglasses in transport with the sturdy storage case that is included with purchase.
Why We Don’t Love It
The stitching on the straps wears down relatively easily. Due to the fact that this is the only feature that holds the glasses on your child’s face, this can pose quite an issue with usability. Furthermore, the lenses situate extremely close to many children’s eyes, making it hard to see through the goggle-like shades.
Considerations
- Age: 0-5 Years
- Plastic Frame
- Durable Lenses
- Two Frame Color Options
- 100% UVA/UVB Protection (UV400)
- Sturdy Storage Case Included
COCOSAND Baby Sunglasses
COCOSAND has shades for the whole family! Excellent for the picture-perfect moment!
Why We Love It
Let them see true colors and protect their little eyes with COCOSAND‘s baby sunglasses! Their full line of products can accommodate your kids from birth all the way up to adulthood. Equipped with an adjustable strap, these shades are bound to stay on your child’s head, but if they try to pull them and end up in their mouth, they are made of baby-safe materials!
Additionally, the lenses provide UVA and UVB protection while simultaneously ensuring no glare. Finally, don’t let the pink frames fool you — they come in a variety of colors to accommodate any little tyke in your life!
Why We Don’t Love It
While the lenses do a spectacular job shielding the sun’s harmful rays, they don’t hold up quite as well to scratches. Therefore, when not in use, make sure to house them in the cloth case included with purchase to prevent this issue.
Considerations
- Age: 0-2 Years
- Available Sizes for 2-4 and 4- to 7-Year-Olds as well as Adult Sizes
- Durable Frame and Lenses
- Variety of Frame Color Options
- Two Lens Color Options
- Neck Strap Included
- BPA Free
- 100% UVA/UVB Protection (UV400)
- Storage Pouch and Cleaning Cloth Included
Kids Sunglasses Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Babiators Original Navigator Sunglasses | 9.7 | - | 27.99 |
| Roshambo Baby Junior Shades | 6.7 | 9.4 | 26.99 |
| Original WeeFarers Children's Sunglasses | 9.9 | 9.8 | 24.99 |
| JAN & JUL Baby Toddler Sunglasses | 8.7 | - | 19.95 |
| Minishades Classic Kids Sunglasses | 3.9 | 9.2 | 17.19 |
| COCOSAND Baby Sunglasses | 9.8 | 9.6 | 16.99 |
| Baby Banz Sunglasses | 7.9 | 8.8 | 15.12 |
| Tuga Baby & Toddler Sunglasses | 6.1 | 9.0 | 14.99 |
| Pro Acme TR90 Kids Sunglasses | 9.5 | 9.4 | 11.99 |
| livho Classic Aviator Sunglasses | 5.6 | 8.6 | 11.99 |
| Baby Solo Babyfarer Sunglasses | 4.8 | 9.4 | 11.00 |
| RIVBOS Rubber Kids Sunglasses | 9.9 | 9.0 | 9.99 |
| Pro Acme TPEE Kids Sunglasses | 9.6 | 9.2 | 9.99 |
Top Considerations When Buying Kids Sunglasses
UVA/UVB Protection
Sun protection is extremely important. We all know to slather on sunscreen in the summer to prevent the sun’s harmful rays from burning our skin. However, many people do not realize how detrimental ultraviolet light can be to their eyes. In fact, you don’t even have to look directly at the sun in order to incur damage.
Not only that, but kids have bigger pupils and undeveloped ocular lenses which means they absorb more UV radiation compared to adults. Unshielded, exposure can lead to long-term vision issues as well as sunburn of the eyes.
Polarized Lenses
Polarized lenses are designed to reduce or eliminate glare from the sun. This becomes exceptionally important when your child is playing in or around reflective surfaces like sand, water, snow, and even pavement! Wearing lenses with polarization helps your child to continue to see clearly and therefore stay safer!
Durability
Children can be very destructive little beings. Since they will likely test the limits of the items we buy them, the goal becomes buying items that are virtually indestructible in their surprisingly strong little hands. In terms of lenses, look for a Polycarbonate composition. These are touted to be shatterproof!
When looking for frames, you want the sunglasses to be made of a flexible, rubber, or silicone material. That way, when the frame gets bent, it won’t break quite as easily.
Remember that nothing is completely indestructible. The weakest part of most sunglasses is at the joints where the lens frames meet the arms. Varieties with spring hinges are available, but they tend to come at a higher cost.
Kid Safe
Once your child reaches a certain age, seemingly everything will go in their mouths. Just like any other product or toy that you purchase, look for options that are free of BPA, Phthalates, latex, lead, and any other materials that could cause an allergic reaction or harmful side effects.
Shape
The bigger and wider the lens, the more sun protection your little one will receive!
Warranty
Everyone loves a good warranty, especially when it comes to kids’ products. Look for coverage that includes breakage and loss. Confirm that no added payment is required for replacement. Most importantly, ensure that you register the item with the company the moment you receive it. Otherwise, you can kiss that warranty goodbye!
Child’s Age
The stage of life that your child is in can also be a big factor in which type of sunglasses that you purchase. For those little tykes, consider the google style specs to make sure they stay on their face. Older kids can go for the more “adult” designs. Finally, if your child tends to misplace things readily, buying options with a strap can help to prevent this issue.
Frequently Asked Questions — Kids Sunglasses
When should my child start wearing sunglasses?
Prior to six months old, pediatricians recommend keeping your child out of direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time.
However, once they reach the half-year mark, they are free to roam in the sunshine, but with the appropriate protection! This includes sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, and loose, long sleeve clothing.
What can happen if my child doesn’t wear sunglasses?
Not only can a lack of eye protection cause lifelong vision issues, but it can also cause a more immediate condition — eye sunburn. This is an inflammation of the cornea, which can lead to headaches, redness, impaired vision, sensitivity to light, among other issues.
As mentioned earlier, children are more at risk due to the fact that their eyes are not fully developed.
Does lens color make a difference in kids’ sunglasses?
Yes! The various lens colors can help to filter out blue light, make your child’s view brighter or darker, increase depth perception and reduce glare. They are also a fun fashion statement!
Darker hues like green, gray, and brown are normally best for kids, as the main purpose is to protect their eyes while they are playing outside.
However, as your little ones move into their teenage years and begin to hit the road, gray is the recommended lens color as it won’t alter colors. This becomes important when focusing on stop lights!
