How to Choose the Best Sun Hat for Your Child

Buying a kids sun hat can feel surprisingly complicated.

There are bucket hats, legionnaire hats, broad brimmed hats, caps, soft hats, structured hats and everything in between. Then there are questions about UPF, sizing, chin straps and materials.

The good news is that choosing one does not need to be difficult.

Here are the things we think matter most.

Start with sun protection

The first thing to check is the UPF rating.

UPF 50 and UPF 50+ are classified as excellent protection under the Australian standard AS/NZS 4399:2020.

It is also important to look at the actual design of the hat. A UPF rated fabric cannot protect skin that is not covered.

Think about the areas you want shaded

A good children's sun hat should shade more than just the top of the head.

Cancer Council recommends hats that protect the face, ears and neck. Broad brimmed, bucket and legionnaire styles are recommended for this reason.

Get the fit right

A hat should sit comfortably without being so loose that it falls off every few minutes.

Adjustable features are particularly useful because children grow quickly.

For younger children, a secure but safe chin strap can also make a big difference. It helps keep the hat in place while they run, climb and play.

Think about where they will wear it

A hat for daycare might need to be different from a hat for the beach.

For everyday adventures, look for something lightweight and comfortable.

For swimming and beach days, you may want something made from a fabric that handles water and salt well.

For school, think about whether the brim stays in shape and whether your child can comfortably see while wearing it.

Do not forget that they have to like it

This might be the most important part.

You can buy the most technically impressive hat in the world, but if your child refuses to wear it, it is not doing much.

Fun colours and prints can make children much more excited about putting their hat on.

That is one of the reasons we love creating Little Georgie at Burnt Toast. We want sun protection to feel like something kids enjoy rather than something they have to put up with.

The best sun hat is ultimately one that combines good coverage, excellent sun protection, a comfortable fit and a design your child actually wants to wear.