The Best Sun Hats for Kids in Australia: What Parents Actually Need to Look For

Choosing a sun hat for your child should be about more than finding one that looks cute.

In Australia, our kids spend a lot of time outside. At school, at the park, at the beach, on family holidays and simply playing in the backyard. A good sun hat needs to stay on, feel comfortable and provide meaningful coverage when they are out in the sun.

So what actually makes a great kids sun hat?

Look for UPF 50+

UPF tells you how effectively fabric blocks ultraviolet radiation.

According to ARPANSA, UPF 50 and UPF 50+ are classified as excellent protection under the Australian standard for sun protective clothing.

For everyday kids hats, UPF 50+ is a simple feature worth looking for. Explore our range of UPF50+ kids sun hats to find a style for your little adventurer.

Coverage matters

A hat can have excellent fabric and still provide limited protection if the design leaves lots of skin exposed.

Cancer Council NSW recommends broad brimmed, bucket and legionnaire style hats because they can shade the face, ears and neck. Baseball caps do not provide the same coverage.

For younger children, Cancer Council suggests that a bucket hat brim should be at least 5 cm as a guide, while still being appropriate for the size of the child's head.

When choosing a bucket hat for everyday adventures, look for a style that combines practical coverage with a comfortable fit. Explore our Matrix kids bucket sun hat for one option.

The hat needs to stay on

This sounds obvious, but any parent who has chased a hat across a playground knows how important it is.

Look for an adjustable fit and a secure chin strap. For younger children, safety features matter too. Straps and toggles should be designed with children's safety in mind.

Looking for a hat for your little adventurer? Explore our kids sun hats for styles designed for everyday adventures.

Comfort is everything

If a hat is hot, scratchy or constantly falling over their eyes, children are not going to want to wear it.

A lightweight fabric, comfortable lining, good airflow and a brim that stays in shape can make a huge difference.

Get the fit right

Age is a starting point, but measuring their head is the better way to choose a hat size. Wrap a soft tape measure around their head, just above the eyebrows and ears, where the hat will sit.

The hat should feel comfortable and secure, with the brim clear of their eyes. An adjustable fit can help fine-tune the size, but a hat that keeps slipping down is too big.

Buying again? Check the centimetres rather than the size letter. Burnt Toast and Little Georgie use different size names.

Our kids’ hat size guide shows you how to measure and which size to choose for each label.

Why we created Burnt Toast

At Burnt Toast, we have always believed that kids' products should be made for real childhood.

That means thinking about the things that matter to parents, while never forgetting the person actually wearing the hat.

Our sun hats are designed with Australian conditions in mind, combining UPF 50+ sun protection with comfortable, practical designs that kids can wear while they play.

We also wanted to make more thoughtful choices when it came to materials. Our recycled rPET hats are made using recycled fabric, helping us reduce our reliance on virgin polyester while creating something designed to be worn, loved and used again and again.

We pay attention to the details too. From adjustable fits and comfortable linings to broad brims designed to provide plenty of coverage, every part of a Burnt Toast sun hat has a purpose.

Because we know that the best sun hat is not necessarily the one with the most features.

It is the one that provides good protection, feels comfortable and stays on when your child is running, jumping, climbing and exploring.

And, perhaps most importantly, it is the one they actually want to wear.

Finding the right sun hat

Start with the essentials: UPF 50+ fabric, a brim that provides useful coverage and a comfortable fit. Then let them pick a print they’ll actually want to wear.

Ready to find their next favourite? Explore our kids’ sun hats, with free standard shipping Australia-wide.