Summer fun means spending time outside in the summer sun, and with three months full of beach visits, camping, and pool parties just around the corner, it’s important to make sure children have what they need to protect themselves from the sun’s UV rays.
As little as 100 seconds of direct sun exposure can result in permanent retinal damage. This is even more concerning for children as their eyes are still maturing and haven’t developed the ability to filter out harmful rays. Additionally, children’s eyelids and the skin around their eyes is more delicate and fragile than adults’, requiring more protection to safeguard this sensitive area.
As you prepare for upcoming outdoor excursions and activities, getting your little one to wear protective eyewear for prolonged periods doesn’t have to be a chore. Turn this into a fun opportunity for your child to model their individual style and showcase that special personality that makes them unique.
To get you started, check out these suggested sunnies that feature fun frame shapes and vibrant color choices sure to catch your kid’s eye. With options to fit kids ranging from infants to tweens, all of these shades have polarized lenses, which are essential to look for when choosing sunglasses as they reduce eye strain and minimize glare from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
WeeStyle’s Polarized WeeFarers
Kids Aged 0-10
Price: $35
Boasting super flexible and durable frames, these sunglasses are available in the full range of kids’ sizes and offer a variety of different frame and lens colors. Not only do they provide 100% UVA and UVB protection, lose or break them within the first year of purchase and WeeStyle will replace them with a free pair!
Babiator’s Irresistible Iris Flower
Kids Aged 0-10
Price: $38
Babiator is another children’s sunglasses brand designed to withstand kids’ daily adventures. For the budding gardener in your family, the UV400 lenses in these fun flower frames will shield their eyes and the surrounding skin from 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Knockaround’s 2023 Shark Week Kids’ Premiums
Kids Aged 1-5
Price: $35
Knockaround has teamed up with Discovery to create special Shark Week shades for the past nine years. This year’s design is perfect for a future marine biologist, with an ocean blue and sunset pink frame and a great white shark pictured on each side. And the FDA approved lenses not only provide full UV400 protection, they’re also impact resistant.
Ray-Ban’s New Wayfarer Kids Summer Capsule
Kids Aged 6-10
Price: $97
With four color options inspired by the sun, sea and sand, these Ray-Bans offer an ultra-lightweight frame and mirror sun lenses that provide 100% UVA and UVB protection. The matching lanyards included with purchase also provide built-in loss prevention!
Oakley’s Radar EV XS Path (Youth Fit)
Kids Aged 8-12
Price: $156 – $206
Looking for a sturdy option for your Olympic-star-in-training? Oakley’s revolutionary high-performance design is now available in youth sizing. With lenses tested under extreme activity conditions, these sunglasses are a great option for young athletes who need both sun protection and maximum visual clarity at all angles.
Once you and your kiddo have picked the perfect pair, don’t forget to celebrate National Sunglasses Day on June 27th by sharing a #solarflair selfie of you and your little one showing off your favorite shades!
