The Best Kids Swimsuits, Rash Guards, Sun Hats, and Other Beachwear

I’ve been overseeing Wirecutter’s baby and kid coverage since 2017, including testing all sorts of outdoor gear with my two kids.

During those years, our personal swim environments have ranged from Pacific Ocean beaches and public pools in Los Angeles to buggy ponds, rivers, and lakes in New Hampshire to frigid ocean beaches and gloomy indoor pools in Maine.

No surprise: I’ve observed that heavily chlorinated pools are harder on swimsuits than pristine freshwater. And I’ve learned to spot the swimwear that stays put on butts and shoulders when a bunch of kids are cannonballing into a lake, as well as swimwear that keeps cracks under wraps when a team of sand-castle-builders are reaching into a big, communal hole at an ocean beach.

What we like

This style reduces sun exposure on sensitive skin. A one-piece, zip-up swimsuit with a short-style bottom half keeps little kids relatively covered up, reducing both sun exposure and sunscreen struggles. (I didn’t bother to correct my own kids’ long-time malapropism for the lotion—“sunscream”—because it seemed just so accurately descriptive of their reaction to it.) Hanna Andersson’s suits are Oeko-Tex–certified, and they provide UPF 50 protection.

It protects from sand and bugs, too. Multiple Wirecutter parents have found that it’s harder for sand to work its way into these rash-guard suits—and into swim diapers, where it quickly invites a rash—than into looser separates. If you want even more coverage, there is also a long-legged option.

It holds up better than other swimsuits for kids. My two kids have worn half a dozen styles of one-piece rash-guard swimsuits over the years, and the Hanna Andersson suits held up better than any others.

It comes in a variety of cute patterns—some of which are typically on sale. You can usually find at least a dozen—often fun or fruity—prints.

You can choose short sleeves instead of long sleeves. Obviously long sleeves provide more sun protection, but when it’s hot, many kids may prefer short sleeves.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

These suits go up to size 3 only. I wish Hanna Andersson made this fun-yet-practical suit in bigger sizes. That said, my average-size son was able to wear the largest, size-3 one-piece suit until he was 5. Then we handed it down. (The company’s similar one-piece rash-guard suit for girls, which has a typical swimsuit bottom, is available up to size 12.)

What we like

They typically last for multiple summers. After many years observing how long it takes various rash guards to start stretching out of shape, I’ve concluded that the soft, comfortable rash guards from Hanna Andersson stand out. One long-sleeve Hanna Andersson rash guard I bought lasted through four summers (and two kids) before giving out.

They’re available in a range of colors and styles. These rash guards typically come in at least half a dozen solid colors, in addition to a handful of fun prints (Bluey is a current option, but you’ll pay more for that). There are also striped shirts with zip tops (which we have not tried).

That usually includes bright orange and red. Choosing a bright, more unusual color is a good way to help you spot your own kid more quickly at a crowded beach or pool. (As of July, 2024, these bright colors were in short supply.)

The shirts come in sizes 2 to 12. I’ve found them to be true to size. Like Hanna Andersson’s swimsuits, these rashguards provide solid sun protection and are Oeko-Tex–certified.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The material may feel too thick. These rash guards are made of material that feels slightly thicker than that of a typical rash guard. Depending on your climate, some kids may feel too hot wearing them.

What we like

They feel lighter than other options. These shirts are just a tad thinner and slightly silkier-feeling than those from Hanna Andersson, and they might appeal more to those in warmer climates who’d rather have something that’s more lightweight.

They don’t have tags. Primary’s clothing is tag-free, which may be appreciated by kids with sensory issues.

They may be more affordable. Primary has frequent sales, and these shirts are newly available in two-packs.

They come in many bright colors—and rainbows. My own rainbow-loving kid liked his rainbow-striped shirt. Primary has an entire page devoted to rainbow swimwear.

You can select a shirt with a zipper. Some styles have a half-zip at the front, which could appeal to kids who dislike pulling tight things over their heads.

They range from size 2 up to size 14. While Hanna Andersoon’s swimsuits top out at size 12, Primary suits go to size 14. They are rated to UPF 50+.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

They may be slightly less durable. I’ve found that Hanna Andersson’s rash guards hold up longer. But Primary’s are also reasonably long-lasting, and they definitely feel like they’re better constructed than those from big-box stores.

What we like

They hold up well. There are plenty of traditional swim trunks for kids out there, and most of them are just fine. But, again, we’ve found that Hanna Andersson’s suits offer no-fuss comfort and are more durable than most, without much fading or other aging of the fabric.

There are lots of style options, and the add-ons aren’t just for show. These shorts come in an array of blocky solids, stripes, and patterns. They have a notably soft mesh lining, pockets, and a functional drawstring (weirdly, many “pockets” and drawstrings on kids shorts don’t actually work).

They’re available in sizes 2 to 12. With all Hanna Andersson clothing, it’s smart to wait for sales if you can—they happen frequently. The trunks provide UPF 50 protection and are Oeko-Tex–certified.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

They don’t come in solid colors. If you just want a simple, single-color suit, I recommend checking out the Boys Solid Swim Trunks from Lands’ End.

They’re more expensive than other options. These trunks typically cost twice as much as trunks at stores such as Target or Costco—but they will likely last three times as long.

What we like

It’s easy for kids to forget about—once it’s on. Persuading a kid to put on a sun hat—and to keep it on—is often a battle. But this lightweight nylon model from Sunday Afternoons fits far better than most kid sun hats. This company also makes Wirecutter’s best hiking sun hat for adults.

The fit is adjustable. A tab at the back allows you to adjust the hat like a baseball cap. The breakaway chin strap is fuss-free, and a back flap provides all-important neck protection.

It works for a range of ages, and it comes in different colors and patterns. There are three sizes: small (estimated at 6 to 24 months), medium (ages 2 to 5), and large. The company defines the largest size as being for ages 5 to 12, but in a pinch this hat fits fine on my own average-size adult head. We’ve had the classic cream-colored hats, but the Play Hat comes in many bright colors and patterns as well. It has a lifetime warranty.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It’s expensive when not on sale. My colleague Courtney Schley has had good luck outfitting her kids in the similar Lullaby Kids Adjustable Safari Sun Hat, which is less than half the price of a Sunday Afternoons hat.

What we like

They’re durable. Unlike cheapie kids sunglasses, which can easily snap in half, Babiators can withstand a lot of abuse. The lenses can scratch (one Wirecutter 2-year-old accomplished this by scraping them along a cement wall), but they don’t shatter, and the frames are virtually unbreakable.

They come in many styles and offer solid sun protection. This company makes lots of styles in addition to the Aviator (including the Navigator pair, pictured above), with frames in punchy brights as well as neutral black and white. All of the sunglasses provide 100% UVA and UVB protection, according to Babiators. And it also makes polarized options, so kids will look cute and see clearly.

The one-year warranty is generous. If you register your Babiators, you can get a replacement pair sent to you, no questions asked, if you lose them or break them within a year of purchase; you just pay for shipping.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

This company focuses on glasses for little kids. It says the largest size may fit kids up to age 10. But in our experience, some kids will find them too small before that point. Refer to the Babiators size chart for guidance on sizing.

Swimsuits

If you want a full-body, zip-up swimsuit for a little kid: The UPF 50+ SwimZip Long-Sleeve Sunsuit Romper is a great choice that comes in sizes up to 5T.

Wirecutter editorial director Christine Cyr Clisset and editor Jennifer Hunter have both bought their daughters suits from this company, and they’ve found them to be comfortable and long-lasting. “I love the SwimZip suits’ fun, colorful prints, the UPF 50+ sun protection they provide, and the zipper opening that makes them easy to get on and off,” Christine said.

If you want a full-coverage suit that’ll make your kiddo stand out at the shore: Consider the UPF 50+ long-sleeve one-piece suits from Australian line Cheeky Chickadee. They come in bold patterns that you probably won’t see anywhere else.

Cheeky Chickadee’s limited-edition prints are cartoony, bright, and incredibly detailed: The Great Barrier Reef pattern depicts an entire underwater scene, complete with sharks, seahorses, and scuba diving koalas.

Wirecutter senior editor Catherine Kast has found that Cheeky Chickadee’s suits hold up well and that the vibrant colors don’t fade quickly. She’s also found good deals: Since the company is based in Australia, it’s stocking for the opposite season we are, so the summery products are going on sale when we need them here in the US. But delivery will take about two weeks, and the company’s shipping is free only for orders over roughly $70; it’s $15 otherwise.

The suits come in sizes from 3–6 months through age 8.

If you want a one-piece rashguard swimsuit with a standard girls cut at the bottom: The Hanna Andersson One-Piece Rash Guard Swimsuit is similar to our favorite one-piece rash guard swimsuit for little kids, but without the shorts-like bottom.

It comes in sizes 2 to 12, and in patterns that match some of Hanna’s little-kid options, as well as adult suits sold by Hanna Andersson.

If you want a shorts set with a tankini and cover-up: The UPF 50+ SwimZip Long-Sleeve Rash Guard Swimsuit Shorts Set offers versatility, and lots of cute prints. Christine bought her older daughter this set, and found it held up well enough over two summers to later hand down to her younger daughter.

The rash guard and shorts set comes in sizes from 12–18 months up to size 12–14.

If you want a mix-and-match shorts (or skirt) set: The UPF 50 Lands’ End Girls Stretch Woven Swimsuit Shorts (or Swim Skirt) and the Lands’ End Girls Short Sleeve Crew Neck Rash Guard might appeal.

Editor Courtney Schley bought Lands’ End separates for her daughters, who were requesting two-piece bathing suits because they were tired of pulling cold, clingy one-piece suits off and on for bathroom breaks.

You can mix and match any of Lands’ End’s kids swim separates, which include short- and long-sleeve rash guards, tanks, trunks, shorts, briefs, and skirts. Courtney’s then-8-year-old chose a short-sleeve rash guard and shorts (with pockets!), and the shorts stayed wedgie-free during hours of swimming and trips down water slides. And her then-7-year-old opted for a skirt with just the right amount of swish.

If you want a solid-colored trunk or a trunk in tween and teen sizes: Check out the UPF 50 Boys Active Stretch Swim Trunks from Lands’ End. Of the swim shorts my two boys have worn over the past decade, these were my second-favorite ones, after trunks from Hanna Andersson.

They’re available in a couple of bright colors, including my son’s “electric lime” pair (which is great for spotting him when he disappears into a cluster of new friends on a crowded beach).

Rash guards

If you want an affordable, quick-to-arrive rash guard for a baby or toddler: You might try the UPF 50+ i Play by Green Sprouts Rashguard Shirt, which is available on Amazon Prime.

Senior editor and mom of two Erica Ogg has bought multiple sizes over the years, and she’s loved their fit and the speed with which they dry. “Crucially for us, the neck opening was large enough to easily pull over my son’s 80th-percentile noggin,” Erica said (there are also versions with zippers at the neck). These rash guards come in blue, pink, or white. But, as Erica notes, “We’ve learned to avoid the white ones because they are easy to permanently stain.”

These shirts come in sizes from 6 months to 4T.

If you want a zip-up rashguard with an extra-silky feel: The UPF 50+ Toobydoo Rash Guard comes in a wide range of sizes—from 3 to 6 months to 13 to 14 years old, but just a handful of colors and prints.

Senior editor Catherine Kast found that her preschool-aged daughter could put on this zip-up shirt by herself, eliminating struggles to squeeze tight, long-sleeve tops over her head.

We’ve found that they hold up well and don’t fade, but they are more expensive and offer fewer color options than those from Hanna Andersson or Primary. They also have more noticeable seams, which may bug some kids.

Sun hats

If you’re looking for a simple, inexpensive sun hat in a soft, light fabric: The swim hats from Green Sprouts come in two styles that we’ve tried and liked—one with a full brim and one with a protective flap covering the ears and the back of the neck (both are made of fabric rated to UPF 50+).

Erica used both for more than four years with two kids, and she preferred the flap style when they were younger and in the stroller more often. Once they were older and walking everywhere, both hats worked equally well.

These hats have two long ties, for securing the hat under the chin, and a drawstring at the crown. Supervising editor Ingrid Skjong, who tried both styles, liked the fabric and cute silhouettes, but she found that the two long ties under the chin distracted her then-2-year-old; the brimmed style also sat a bit too high on his head.

The hats come in sizes from 6 months up to 4T.

If you like the idea of a chin-strap-free sun hat made of swimsuit-like material: Several Wirecutter parents have tried and liked the Flap Happy UPF 50+ Swim Flap Hat. The foam-filled brim and generous neck flap provide ample sun protection, and the hat air-dries quickly and packs down easily.

Ingrid compared four sun hats (including our pick) with her kids (then ages 2 and 5). And she liked this one the best for her younger child, who wore it without a second thought. She found it easy to slip on and off (no ties to contend with), and she appreciated the full ear and neck coverage.

Although Amazon reviewers have noted that when this hat gets wet, the brim flops down into their kids’ faces, we didn’t have this problem.

Flap Happy hats come in sizes XS to XXL, which should fit newborns to age 3-plus. Refer to this size chart to get the correct fit.

Sunglasses

If you have a bigger kid, or you want to see a wider variety of styles and colors: Take a look at Roshambo Eyeware. Senior staff writer Lauren Dragan switched from her beloved Babiators to this company after her then-6-year-old began insisting that everything he owned must be red. And she found the new glasses held up well.

Although Roshambo doesn’t offer a loss guarantee, as Babiators does, it does provide polarized replacement lenses for free, or 50% off mirrored lenses (you pay shipping).

Water shoes

If you want a low-fuss, relatively inexpensive, slip-on summer shoe: Crocs are an obvious choice. My own kids have loved Crocs since they were toddlers, and many other Wirecutter kids agree. (Weirdly, “No socks with Crocs!” was my older son’s first complete sentence.)

If you’re flexible on color and you wait for sales, you can find Crocs at a low price, either in the Classic Clog style or (as shown above) the Crocband Clog style.

Crocs are durable and have decent grip, and they float, but they can fall off more easily than an adjustable water shoe like the Keen Newport (see below). And they aren’t nearly as good for hiking or scrambling over rocks.

Sizes range from those for infants through adults. Some parents find that they run large; refer to the company’s sizing page to maximize your chances of an ideal fit.

If you want a sturdy shoe for all kinds of watery adventures: The Keen Newport H2 is a tried-and-true option that typically comes in an array of cheerful colors.

The smaller Newport H2 runs from 4T up to 7T, and the bigger-kid version of the Newport H2 starts at a little-kid 8 and goes up to teen sizes. (Keen makes the same sandals for adults as well.)

Like many shoes from Keen, these sandals have extra-solid, grippy soles and a wide toe box, to provide reliable protection from roots and rocks. The straps are adjustable for a secure fit.

A couple of summers ago, my then-10-year-old son and I both relied on these sandals for a weeklong canoe camping trip along the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, near Maine’s border with Quebec. This trip also included lengthy portages where I noticed these shoes were by far the most common footwear on other paddlers we encountered.

If you want a sleeker-looking, water-friendly shoe: The Native Jefferson is another favorite of multiple Wirecutter parents. We’ve found that these slip-ons share many of Crocs’ virtues, though they have a narrower fit, so they can be harder for little kids to pull onto wet feet.

Supervising editor Marilyn Ong loves them for her three kids. “They’re a great water shoe that can stand in for ‘real’ shoes when you show up for dinner at a restaurant,” she said.

Natives come in a ton of colors and styles, and they’re sized for toddlers through adults. They’re typically more expensive than Crocs but can also often be found on sale.

And, as with Crocs, these can be worn with socks or without.

Cover-ups

If you’re looking for a cozy and convenient towel alternative: You might like the Boden Towelling Throw On (an older style is shown in the photo above).

Senior staff writer and linens expert Jackie Reeve has been buying ever-larger versions of this summer staple for her daughter for years.

“She still asks for new ones as she grows because they’re soft and comfy,” Jackie said. “She can throw this cover-up on when she’s still pretty damp, and it keeps her warm enough to hang out for a while before she needs dry clothes. It’s pretty indestructible, and we’ve found that each one lasts a couple of years before she outgrows it.”

The long-sleeve cover-up is made of terry cloth (a 85% cotton/15% polyester blend); the hood has a soft cotton lining; and the styles range from sea animal appliqués to classic stripes. It’s sized from ages 2 to 3 up to 13 to 14 (in some styles).

If you’d prefer a short-sleeve terry-cloth cover-up: The Slowtide Joaquin Kids Poncho feels cozy—with a hood and a kangaroo pocket—but it skips the sleeves.

The fabric is thick and substantial enough to keep a kid warm after a dip, and it slips on and off easily. And, like the Boden cover-up, it’s sewn down the sides, so in a pinch it can pull double-duty as an actual garment.

It comes in just a handful of styles, however, and in just one kids size, which Slowtide recommends for ages 3 to 7.

If a terry-cloth sweatshirt is more your kid’s style: We love a Hanna Andersson Terry Hoodie.

A towel-like cover-up that falls close to the knees is a more practical substitute for an actual towel. But a simpler terry-cloth sweatshirt is also great for covering up at the beach or on the way home, when little bodies are wet and chilly.

They’re far from a necessity, but they feel nicely lightweight and less soggy than a typical cotton sweatshirt when damp. (Hanna Andersson also makes dress-like coverups, including in a lemon print.) We’ve found all of the zippered sweatshirts from Hanna Andersson to be long-lasting and high-quality. They come in sizes 2 to 12.

We reached our conclusions in this guide after comparing and re-comparing swimsuits and other beachwear from more than a dozen brands over half a dozen years.

I know very well that style matters most to many kids—and it will likely become the key consideration as they get older. But a lot of kids swimsuits invite constant butt-picking and strap-fiddling, or they are simply poorly made, disintegrating after just a few months in chlorine or salt water.

For the purposes of this guide, we prioritized practicality. In particular, we looked for rash guards and swimsuits that provide decent sun protection and aren’t susceptible to the types of problems—itchy seams, stretched-out fabric, zipper malfunction—that could add discomfort to an otherwise-pleasant beach or pool day.

We looked for swimwear that is:

Comfortable: The best swimwear is relatively easy to put on and doesn’t lend itself to chafing or wedgies. Straps shouldn’t dig in, drawstrings should work (they often don’t), and suit liners should be a comfort not an irritant.

Durable: Pretty much any bathing suit will eventually pill and stretch out of shape. A great one will be a hand-me-down before that happens.

Cute and colorful: To pull on a swimsuit is to signal that it’s time for the fun to begin. I looked for options that come in a range of joyful-feeling colors and prints, at least one of which is likely to please most any kid.

Available in a range of sizes: I wanted to find options for everyone from babies to tweens. Once you find a style that works for an individual kid, it’s convenient to stick with it.

We recommended the Beau & Belle Littles Premium Reusable Swim Diaper, a staff favorite, in a previous version of this article. We’re currently comparing reusable swim diapers from a handful of companies, and we will update this guide with our findings.

Boden makes some cute rash guards and sun-protective two-piece swimsuits with knee-length bottoms. But we found that the cut was tight around the neck, even on a thinner kid. And in general these suits are significantly more expensive than similar options we recommend.

L.L.Bean makes rash guards and full-cover swimsuits for kids. The quality is solid, but these pieces tend to be more expensive than those we recommend, and the color and style options are more limited.

Tea Collection makes rash guards, long-sleeve swimsuits, and little-kid one-piece rashguards in sweet and stylish prints. However, the options tend to be more limited than those from Hanna Andersson, but, like that company, this one tends to have good sales.

We’ve tried various rash guards from Target’s Cat & Jack line, and we think they’re a solid, relatively inexpensive option. But they typically become stretched out, with pilling, by the end of a single season, and they may start to lose their elasticity after just a few wash cycles.

Target also offers many options for swim trunks and suits. They can be cute and affordable, but they’re unlikely to hold up as well as the options we recommend from companies like Hanna Andersson and Lands’ End.

Christine Cyr Clisset, Lauren Dragan, Catherine Kast, Erica Ogg, Jackie Reeve, Courtney Schley, and Winnie Yang contributed reporting. This article was edited by Amy Miller Kravetz and Ben Frumin.