Beat the Heat: the Cutest Toddler and Baby Sun Hats

Mad hatters? Not with these adorable baby sun hats and toddler sun hats! With sunny outdoor adventures just around the corner, your kiddo is going to need a good baby spring and summer hat, which is why we’ve rounded up the cutest ones on the market.

Of course, these baby and toddler sun hats aren’t just stylish. With long, wide and floppy brims, almost all of the kids’ sun hats on this list are designed to protect against the sun’s glorious but potentially harmful rays (along with a healthy slathering of sunscreen). Scroll to find the best toddler or baby sun hat for your little beachcomber!

In this article:
What you need to know about baby sun hats
Best baby girl sun hats
Best baby boy sun hats
What you need to know about toddler sun hats
Best toddler girl sun hats
Best toddler boy sun hats

What You Need to Know About Baby Sun Hats

Here’s what you need to know before you pick up a new baby sun hat for your little one.

• Make sure it fits properly. If your baby sun hat is loose, it could fly off in the wind. And remember, many babies do not want to be wearing hats, so it could come off anyway! The solution? A chin strap, which many of the options below include.

• Look for UPF material. UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) material is made to block the sun’s rays. Alongside sunscreen, it’s an extra layer of protection.

• The wider the better! Just because your baby sun hat is made from UPF material doesn’t mean you can’t go one step further and look for a baby sun hat boasting a wide brim or longer back. Those extra few inches will create shade, protecting your little one’s sensitive face, ears and neck.

Best Baby Girl Sun Hats

The best baby sun hats for girls are made for safe fun in the sun. And the designs? So whimsical! A baby girl sun hat could be embellished with floral embroidery, fresh summer fruit, or our personal favorite, fabulous flamingos. No matter how a baby girl sun hat is accented, it’s sure to be a sweet treat on your little girl’s head.

We’re obsessed with this fun baby girl sun hat design, featuring a flavorful lemon print. The UPF 50+ fabric is stretchy for a custom fit and the stay-put straps mean the hat won’t get lost. Plus, the cap is fast-drying, perfect for days at the beach (or to deal with summertime beads of sweat).

Buy it: i play. by green sprouts Baby Girls’ Reversible Brim Hat in Lemon Daisy, $10, Target.com

Shopping for a baby sun hat dripping with whimsy? Look no further than this amazing (and honestly hilarious) flamingo baby swim hat, complete with a sun-shading bird bill and bonus neck protection. Like many of the baby spring and summer hats on this list, it’s also available in toddler sizes.

Buy it: Mud Pie Pink Flamingo Swim Cap, $23, MudPie.com

For the ultimate in sun protection, look for legionnaire-style baby summer hats with extended neck flaps. That way, you’re shielding more of baby. Liewood makes the most darling infant sun hats in lots of trendy, muted colors.

Buy it: Liewood Eric Sun Hat, $22, Babyshop.com

Somewhere over the rainbow, we found this genius baby beach set: a baby sun hat and a matching diaper cover. The bottoms can even be personalized! Consider your hunt for an aww-worthy summer outfit done.

Buy it: Pottery Barn Kids Rainbow Reversible Hat & Diaper Cover, starting from $16, PotteryBarnKids.com

All about dainty designs? Try this baby girl sun hat made of pretty eyelet fabric. And since it’s white, it won’t attract heat as much as darker colors do. It’s one of our favorite options for newborns and up.

Buy it: Nordstrom Baby Eyelet Sun Hat, $19, Nordstrom.com

Best Baby Boy Sun Hats

Now for baby boy sun hats. Just like the baby girl sun hats on our list, these baby boy summer hats offer protection from the sun—and in the sweetest of ways. There’s a baby boy legionnaire’s cap, a baby boy sun/swim cap and one baby boy sun hat with ears. (We can’t be tamed!) Find your favorite baby boy sun hat (or collect them all) below.

This baby boy swim hat is made from UPF fabric and comes in two super-sweet prints: navy and white stripes or a playful crab pattern. Whichever style you choose, rest assured his head and neck will be protected, whether he’s in the water or out. Who could be crabby about that?

Buy it: Boden Sun-Safe Printed Swim Hat, $16, Boden.com

This reversible floppy baby sun hat for boys (or girls!) features a groovy Hawaiian print on one side and solid green on the other. It’s also made from UPF 50+ material, and it has chin straps to make sure it stays put on a windy day!

Buy it: Sun Smarties Aloha Adjustable and Reversible Baby Boy Sun Hat, $7, Walmart.com

This reversible baby boy sun hat has a cute bucket brim and a handy chin strap. On one side, there’s a summery red striped print; the other side is a versatile solid navy blue.

Buy it: Just One You made by carter’s Baby Boys’ Swim Bucket Hat, $8, Target.com

We can’t get enough of baby beach hats with ears. This protective and breathable cotton baby boy sun hat is wildly cute, and our readers are thoroughly obsessed.

Buy it: Aablexema Baby Animal Sun Hat, starting from $10, Amazon.com

Last but not least, here’s an infant sun hat that can double as a baby swim hat, thanks to its DWR (durable water repellent) fabric. The certified B-Corp baseball cap is made from recycled nylon that dries super-fast, while the brim protects from the wind and sun.

Buy it: Patagonia Baby Baggies Cap, $25, Backcountry.com

What You Need to Know About Toddler Sun Hats

Toddler sun hats and baby sun hats have plenty in common—namely, that they’re designed to protect children from the sun while also looking pretty darn cute. With tots, sun safety is still a priority, but you should also put extra thought into how the accessory looks. Don’t think your kid will care? Tell that to the little boy or girl who demands to pick out their ensemble every morning! The good news is there are plenty of protective toddler sun hats out there with killer style. Truly—just check out the 10 picks below! And again, proper fit is important, as anything uncomfortable could aggravate your toddler, which means that the hat’s coming off.

Best Toddler Girl Sun Hats

Trust us: Every toddler girl sun hat is about as cute as can be. We found multiple trendy toddler floppy hats, a toddler sun hat she can wear in the pool, and a sweet summer hat that goes the extra mile when it comes to UV protection.

The little diva in your life needs this wide-brimmed, watermelon-inspired, floppy toddler sun hat. Now you just need a matching one!

Buy it: Cat & Jack Baby Girls’ Watermelon Floppy Hat, $10, Target.com

This sweet and simple toddler girl beach hat has an added bonus: a neck flap. It also boasts a UPF rating of 50+ for even more protection. No wonder it’s so popular.

Buy it: i play. by green sprouts Baby Sun Protection Flap Hat, starting from $7, Amazon.com

No kid can resist the allure of a toddler straw hat—especially not one with pom-poms, as seen on this awesome accessory.

Buy it: Janie and Jack Pom Straw Sun Hat, $32, JanieandJack.com

The best toddler sun hats are waterproof for the pool or beach. This seersucker toddler swim hat is ultra-cute, all while offering UPF 50+ sun protection.

Buy it: RuffleButts Wide Brim Seersucker Swim Hat, $20, Amazon.com

This grid pattern is cool enough for you to wear, nevermind your tot. The toddler girl sun hat is made from natural linen that’s light and airy enough for the hottest days of summer.

Buy it: Oeuf Grid Baby Sunhat, $36, Maisonette.com

Best Toddler Boy Sun Hats

While we hyped up the toddler girl sun hats, toddler sun hats for boys are also just as cute. And it’s worth noting: Plenty of these styles are really unisex! So if you have brothers and sisters close in age (or twins), you can choose a few they can share. From a nautically striped toddler sun hat to a sea creature-themed bucket hat, this mix has something for every little boy.

A toddler boy sun hat that covers your kiddo’s head and neck, has mesh ventilation for the sweatiest of tots, packs down into a beach bag with ease, and is rated UPF 50+? Sign us up! Did we mention it floats in water so you can find it easily if it ever falls off? (Not that that’s likely, thanks to the adjustable size band and neck strap!)

Buy it: L.L.Bean Kids’ Sunday Afternoons Play Hat, $26, LLBean.com

Beware—there’s a little shark on the loose! Cool kids will love this floppy toddler bucket hat with a fin sticking out from the top.

Buy it: The Gap Toddler Shark Bucket Hat, $20, Gap.com

Ride those waves with this marine-themed, bucket-style toddler boy sun hat. Like all the greatest beach hats, it provides UV sun protection and has an adjustable chin strap for the perfect fit. Better yet, this accessory is also extra-packable—perfect for your summer vacation.

Buy it: JAN & JUL Boys 50+ UPF Breathable Cotton Sun-Hat in White Waves, starting from $15, Amazon.com

Looking for something less “relaxed beach-goer” and more “outdoorsy explorer?” This moisture-wicking “happy camper” toddler sun hat is ideal for hot summer hikes and the like.

Buy it: Outdoor Research Kids Seattle Sombrero in Happy Camper/Bahama, $39, Zappos.com

Don’t forget about a classic baseball hat! This quirky monkey one (rated UPF 50+) has a velcro back for easy adjusting.

Buy it: UQ Kids Cute Cotton Adjustable Baseball Hat in Grey, $13, Amazon.com

Updated March 2020

Plus, more from The Bump:

Baby Sunglasses Even Cooler Than Your Pair

Surprising Summer Dangers for Baby

The Cutest Infant Swimsuits for Boys and Girls