Whether you're jetting off on your first family holiday abroad or packing for that long-awaited staycation, alongside baby suncream and sunglasses, baby sun hats are an important purchase to keep your little one safe in the sun.
There are lots of things we do to protect our babies, like using a car seat and car shades, but what about protecting them from the sun? Your baby's skin is so delicate, especially on their heads, and direct sunlight can be highly damaging - this is where a baby or toddler sun hat can really come in handy.
To prevent sunburn and heatstroke, it's best to head for the shade and protect them from direct sunlight with a baby sun hat, baby sunglasses, loose-fitting clothes and, of course, sunscreen. You may prefer a waterproof baby sunscreen if your little one loves the water. The NHS also recommends that you keep your baby in the shade when the sun is at its hottest between 11am and 3pm.
The best baby sun hats at a glance
• Best adjustable baby sun hat: JAN and JUL GRO-with-Me Cotton Adventure Hat - Buy from Amazon UK
• Best baby sun hat for coverage: Odosalii Kids Sun Hat Baby Toddler Fisherman Hat - Buy from Amazon UK
• Best sun hat for swimming: Splash About Baby Kids Legionnaire Sun Hat - Buy from Amazon UK
From baby and toddler sun hats with UV protection to those with chin straps to make sure they stay in place, we've summed up our top sun hat market picks for you to look at.
Best summer hats for babies and toddlers 2023:
Best adjustable baby sun hats
A breathable 50+ UPF sun protection for all your adventures! This Gro-With-Me design ensures the perfect fit for years. The wide brim and long neck flap ensure your little one is well protected from the sun.
Review: "Amazing hat, great coverage. Love the chin strap stops my little one pulling her hat off.
I also love the design, so many people have commented on it!"
Pros
- Multiple colour/pattern options
- UPF 50+ rated breathable cotton
Cons
- Hand wash only
Best baby sun hats for design
This hat comes in loads of patterns and styles, but our favourite has to be this stylish soft denim with travel inspired illustrations. With a wide brim to protect baby's neck and a chin strap to keep it in place, this baby sunhat is ideal for the beach, days at the park or wherever your adventures take you. An internal sweatband keeps baby cool and comfortable. It's also packable for easy storage and travel.
Review: "Honestly the cutest little thing! It fits great (although my son fights it off!) it's good quality material and for the price it's such a good buy."
Pros
- Easy to fold and store away
- Internal sweatband
Cons
- Better for older infants
Best baby sun hats for coverage
With 50+UPF, this hat will keep your baby protected from the sun. It's also water repellent making it ideal for wearing it in the pool or sea. The wide brim completely covers your baby's head, face and neck and the drawstring strap will stop them from pulling it off every two seconds, and we love the dolphin blue colour.
Review: "Lovely little hat. Stays on our 18-month-old's head for more than five minutes and looks very well made with a breathable lining."
Pros
- Breathable
- Full neck coverage
Cons
- Limited colour options
Best stretchy baby sun hats
Available in six colours, this sun hat from FURTALK is made of 95% cotton and 5% spandex, making it breathable and soft to wear. It'll absorb sweat and has a 6.3 cm brim which will never flop down, offering extra back coverage to provide better protection for your baby's face, ears, and neck.
Review: "I have brought so many hats for my children but this has got to be the best purchase. I got this one for my 3-month-old son over the summer. The hat will grow with him as it is adjustable. The fit is great and I feel 100% happy with him wearing it as it covers his ears and neck also. I will be ordering another for our summer holiday. I've also recommended it to friends."
Pros
- Super soft
- Easy to put on
Cons
- No patterned options available
Best sun hats for swimming
This Legionnaire Hat from Splash About will protect your child's little head from the sun both in and out of the water. Made from quick-drying, comfortable nylon/elastane, the hat can be worn all day on the beach or in the garden. Made to fit children from 1-3 years and 3-6 years, it's elasticated to fit the head without slipping. The soft peak helps to protect eyes from the sun, whilst the fabric at the back is long to cover the back of the neck.
Review: "Great hat, highly recommend for outdoor swimming. Is stretchy so it stays put really well. Will also fit a wide range of ages due to the stretch. Slightly large on my 3yo but still stayed on fine. Even stretched enough for my adult head, just about!"
Pros
- Quick-drying
- Great coverage
Cons
- Limited sizes
Best baby sun hats for style
Available in a variety of sizes and patterns, this hat is made from 100% cotton. The unique tailoring makes it comfortable while keeping your little one ventilated and comfortable as they grow.
Review: "The hat is very cute, it's advertised from 0-3 months, however, my LO is now 4 months and it fits him perfectly. But apart from that hat is great."
Pros
- Great size range
- Foldable
Cons
- Not the easiest to wash
Best baby sun hats for comfort
Crafted from a quick-drying and breathable material, this comfy and super-soft LACOFIA beach hat comes with a neck flap to protect your child's neck from sunburn. The rope on the back can be pulled to adjust the size, making sure the hat won't fall off.
Review: "Beautiful hat to protect your children from the sun. I am very happy with this purchase."
Pros
- Breathable and comfortable
- Quick-drying
Cons
- Not the best size range
What to consider when choosing a baby or toddler sun hat
Size - Of course, you'll want your choice of baby sun hat to fit properly. Too tight, and your little one will be uncomfortable, too loose, and it will inevitably fall off and possibly get lost.
Material - Whether you're looking for something more soft and breathable or a baby sun hat with added UV protection (which you should consider with a parasol too), it's good to consider what material the hat is made from.
Style - Who said a sun hat can't look stylish too? Picking one in their favourite colour or some extra design elements may mean they're less likely to want to pull it off every time you're not looking.
Chin strap - Because we know what little ones can be like, a sun hat with a chin strap is always preferable. This will keep them nice and secure while they play out in the sun.
How we test and choose recommended products
Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product, and we listen to what you say as well.
Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe consistently provides great insights into which products mums like best and why, helping us highlight the products that will meet your needs.
For essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested. Full reviews from our mum testers can be found on our product pages. The winners and runners-up for each category will also appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.
Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor and has been a writer for titles such as Mother&Baby and Yours. In her role, she has researched and recommended the best products for parents, from breast pumps to toys, nursery décor to car seats. She's also kept a keen eye on celeb mums and influencers to share what they've been using to help make parenting that little bit easier.