10 of the best kids' sunglasses tried and tested

• Best children's sunglasses for 2024
• What to look for when choosing children's sunglasses
• Top 4 things you should do to protect your child's eyes from UV rays

Although it's great when you find a pair that looks good, you need to prioritise protection too. We have some tips on this at the bottom of this article if you'd like to know more. But first, we've searched the market for the very best sunglasses for kids and got them tested by child testers, to provide you with a list of the very best kids' sunglasses, approved by kids!

If you have a baby that's over 6 months, they also need to have their eyes protected so take a look at our best baby sunglasses. To complete your summer shopping list we've also found the best swimming goggles for kids, best sunscreen for babies, toddlers and children and the best sun hats too.

Best kids' sunglasses at a glance

• Best sunglasses for flexibility: Suneez, £25
• Best sunglasses for a secure fit: JoJo Maman Bebe Kids' Flexible Sunglasses, £16
• Best sunglasses for an eye-catching design: Babiators Original Flowers Sunglasses, £21
• Best sunglasses for durability: Babiators Original Navigator, £18
• Best sunglasses for sustainability: Emporio Armani Sunglasses, £74
• Best sunglasses for quality: Junior Rectangle Ray-Ban, £68
• Best sunglasses for fashion: The Scout Kids Sunglasses, £30
• Best lightweight sunglasses: Roshambo Junior Shades, £22.99
• Best budget sunglasses: Quechua Kids Hiking Sunglasses, £9.99
• Best sunglasses for blue lenses: Babiators Blue Series, £40

Best children's sunglasses for 2024

1. Suneez, £25

– Best for flexibility

Sizes: 3-8 years and 8-12 years | Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: Yes | Strap: Yes (detachable)| Colours available: Pink, Green, Yellow, Red, Blue and Black

Suneez are a fantastic all-rounder that are made from a "virtually unbreakable" material, offering 100% UVA and UVB protection, with polarised lenses and a silicone strap (particularly useful for younger kids).

Parent tested Samantha tested these sunglasses with her 8 year old son (pictured above) and said, "my son loved the style of the glasses. They offer great sun protection, they were very comfortable to have on for extended periods of time and cleaning them was fairly easy. What I loved about them is that they're virtually unbreakable, they're super flexible which my son put to the test. They're well worth the money and don't compromise on style".

Parent tester Lucy who tested these sunglasses with her 9 year old daughter also loved them and said, "They are super flexible and so hard to break even when pulling the arms apart. They're also easy to get on and off and comfortable to wear. They have great UVA and UVB sun protection with polarised lenses too".

Pros: Detachable strap, very flexible, comes in a variety of colours
Cons: Slightly pricey

Available from: Amazon

2. JoJo Maman Bebe Kids' Flexible Sunglasses, £16

– Best for a secure fit

Sizes: 0-2 years and 3-6 years | Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: No | Strap: Yes (detachable)| Colours available: Yellow, Navy, Duck Egg and Fuchsia

Made from flexible rubber, these sunglasses can withstand being bent without losing their shape. The removable and adjustable elastic strap also helps to keep the glasses secure and makes them a good choice for younger children or those who are very active or prone to dropping or losing things.

With 100% UVA and UVB protection plus an anti-reflective coating, you can be reassured your child's eyes are kept protected. On the downside, the oval lens shape is not as fun as some other options, and combined with the strap, does have a slight feel of a pair of goggles.

Parent tester Natasha, tested these sunglasses with her 4 year old daughter (pictured above) and said, "She absolutely loved them, they felt very sturdy on her dace and did not fall down once. They also didn't appear too large on her face".

Parent tester Alex, who tested these sunglasses with her 4 year old son said, "When I first saw these sunglasses I thought the shape was a little strange. However, having tried them out it's become apparent that this makes them fit really nicely".

Pros: Has a detachable strap, comes in lots of fun colours
Cons: May not be suitable for children who do not like feeling restricted

Available from: JoJo Maman Bebe

3. Babiators Original Flowers Sunglasses, £21

– Best for an eye-catching design

Sizes: 0-2 years and 3-5 years | Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: No | Strap: No | Colours available: Sunflower, Daisy and Irish | Awards: Bronze – Family travel/holiday product under £25, MadeForMums Awards 2022

For an eye-catching design that also offers superior protection with 100% UVA and UVB protection, we love Babiators' flower-shaped sunglasses.

But they don't just look good. They're made from a flexible rubber with shatter resistant frames that are designed to last. Plus, if you register the glasses with Babiators within 30 days of your purchase, they'll send you a free replacement within 1 year if they get lost or damaged.

Parent tester Sylvia, tested these sunglasses with her 4 year old daughter (pictured above) and said, "My daughter loved these sunglasses, they offered good protection and were very comfortable. I was extremely happy that they came with a case too".

Pros: Fun design, durable and have a guarantee
Cons: Does not have strap to keep them secure

Available from: Natural Baby Shower and Babiators

4. Babiators Original Navigator, £18

– Best for durability

Sizes: 0-2 years, 3-5 years and 6+ | Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: No | Strap: No | Colours available: 15

These wayfarer style sunglasses have been made with a flexible rubber that Babiators calls "virtually indestructible". This means they shouldn't break if they get bent or shatter if they get dropped according to the brand. They're so confident about their durability that they offer a free replacement if the sunglasses are lost or broken within 1 year of purchase.

The lenses of the sunglasses are impact and shatter-resistant, offering 100% UV protection. Our team has dropped them, bent them and even stamped on them and they did not break.

The lightweight rubber also means they offer a comfy fit for your baby, and there are a whole host of colours to choose from. The sunglasses come with a drawstring bag to keep them safe while out and about.

Parent tester Siobhan tested these sunglasses with her 3 year old son (pictured above) and said, "I liked that they were bendy and flexible as I have 2 boys that can be quite rough with them. My son dropped them constantly in the playground and they were fine. His little brother also had a good pull on them and they didn't break which was great. I also really liked the look of the glasses, very Tom Cruise in Top Gun, they have good sun protection and my son found them easy to get on and off".

It's worth noting that Siobhan did say that they seem fairly small, so if your child is in between sizes, it might be best to size up.

Pros: Durable, lots of colours, have a guarantee
Cons: Does not have strap to keep them secure, sizes come up small

Available from: Babiators and Natural Baby Shower

5. Emporio Armani Round Sunglasses, £74

– Best for sustainability

Sizes: 6-12 years | Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: No | Strap: No | Colours available: Light Blue

It's difficult to get completely sustainable sunglasses. However, these Emporio Armani sunglasses are are made of bio-nylon fibre, a bioplastic derived from renewable resourced, making them more sustainable than most sunglasses which are made from rubber and plastic. They've been created as part of the Armani Sustainability Project. The lenses are, however, made of plastic.

These premium end sunglasses are definitely stylish, and offer 100% UV protection. The nose pads make them comfortable to wear and they'll definitely appeal to families that love a bit of luxury. The sunglasses also come with a pouch to store them when not in use.

Parent tester Wandana tested these sunglasses with her 8 year old daughter (pictured above) and said, "for any parent looking to buy the perfect sunglasses for their child, I would definitely recommend these Emporio Armanic glasses. They're very stylish, smart, lightweight and very comfortable to wear. My daughter can easily wear them for a couple hours at a time, they fit perfectly around her face. My daughter wears prescription glasses and is always complaining of them itching around her ears but these she wears with no complaints. They provide the perfect shade and provide great protection from the sun, it's not too dark nor too light making an ideal pair of sunglasses."

Pros: Comfortable, stylish and good for sustainability
Cons: Expensive and do not come with a strap and only available in 1 colour

Available from: Armani

6. Junior Rectangle Ray-Ban, £68

– Best for older children

Sizes: 4-8 years and 7-10 years | Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: No | Strap: No | Colours available: Transparent Blue, Havana, Transparent Red. Black and Transparent Grey/Yellow

These Ray-Ban sunglasses are definitely stylish, thanks to their classic rectangular design and recessed lenses, and they offer 100% UV protection. There are different colours to choose from, with different lens colours too depending on your preference.

Although Ray-Ban sunglasses are known for being great quality, these don't have the same flexibility of some of the other brands in this list, and are definitely more suitable for older children who've learned to take care of their possessions: this is reflected in the sizing, which goes from age 4 right up to age 10.

The sunglasses do come with a protective bag to help keep them protected.

Parent tester Anna tested these sunglasses with her 8 year old boy and said, "The sunglasses fells much more robust than most children's frames are, so I'm confident that they'll be strong enough to withstand an active 8 year old's use. They look stylish and sporty and the higher price point is more suitable for my son's age range as he's more conscious of taking care of his sunnies now. I would definitely recommend these sunglasses, I've never considered buying expensive sunglasses for children before, as I'd assumed they wouldn't be hard wearing enough but these sunglasses have made me think twice".

Pros: Good quality brand, lots of different colour frames and lens options available
Cons: Quite expensive, no flexibility to the frame, does not have strap to keep secure

Available from: Ray-Ban and Sunglass Hut

7. The Scout Kids Sunglasses, £30

– Best for fashion

Sizes: 1- 3 years and 3-6 years | Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: No | Strap: No | Colours available: Panda Pop Print

These fun panda print sunglasses are not only fashionable but also designed for rough and tumble. They have "arm-strong technology", meaning they have flexible arms that help stop them breaking under pressure from small hands.

Not only are they cute and durable but they offer 100% UV protection. They also have anti-glare technology and an anti-scratch coating to extend their lifespan. The sunglasses come with a hard case, soft case and a cleaning cloth as well as a green cord neck tie.

Parent tester Candice tested these sunglasses with her 3 year old daughter (pictured above) and said, "My daughter was really excited that the sunglasses had their own soft case and hard case, it made her feel really grown up. The string that connected the sunglasses is a brilliant idea, it meant that she could wear the sunglasses like a necklace when she wanted to take them off. They felt sturdy but also soft and my daughter loved that she could put them on and take them off herself.

Parent tester Cali, who tested these sunglasses with her 5 year old daughter, also loved them and said, "The design is so cool. They feel super durable too which is great for my daughter who managed to sit on them twice and drop them".

Candice did say that they came up quite big, so it might be worth sizing down if your child is petite or between sizes.

Pros: Flexible and durable, stylish, anti-glare technology and come with neck strap
Cons: Only available in one colour

Available from: Little Hotdog Watson

8. Roshambo Junior Shades, £22.99

– Best lightweight sunglasses

Sizes: 5+ years| Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: Yes| Strap: No | Colours available: 21 colours

These sunglasses are so lightweight Roshambo claims they can float, meaning they feel weightless on your child's face.

They have polarised lenses and 100% UV protection as well as being shatter resistant, with added glare reduction to reduce eye strain.

They are designed to be durable and flexible so should withstand rough play too. The brand is so confident about the durability of their sunglasses that they offer full damage and lens replacement guarantee.

If that's not enough, each purchase supports the autism charity Surfers Healing.

Parent tester Jayne tested these sunglasses with her 5 year old daughter and said, "My daughter loved the look of the coloured lenses and she liked how they fit. They sunglasses stayed on her head for quite a while, they didn't appear to slip much so we didn't need the grippy rings". She did note that they were very lightweight.

Pros: Purchase supports charity, lightweight and flexible and comes in a huge variety of colours
Cons: No strap to keep them secure on child's head

Available from: Amazon

9. Quechua Kids Hiking Sunglasses, £9.99

– Best budget buy

Sizes: 10+ years| Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: No| Strap: No | Colours available: Deep MagentaDamson, Navy Blue/Quartz Pink, Carbon Grey/Lime Yellow, Caribbean Blue/Snow White, Storm Grey/Dark Blue and Blood Orange/Navy Blue

These sunglasses were developed for hiking and other activities, meaning despite their low price, they're durable and protective. They're designed for tweens and teens, starting at age 10.

The anti-UV lenses offer 100% UV protection and come in a variety of colours. In fact, although they're designed for performance they're also really stylish, with contrasting arms and great little details that might help you persuade your child to keep them on for more than 5 minutes.

Parent tester Viktorija tested these sunglasses with her 11 year old and daughter (pictured above) and said, "They're so comfy and modern, easy to clean and go well with all of her outfits, the price is excellent too".

Pros: Lots of colours to choose from, durable and meant for sport and activity and excellent value
Cons: Only suitable for children 10+ years

Available from: Decathlon

10. Babiators Polarised Series, £40

– Best for blue lenses

Sizes: 0-6 years+| Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: Yes| Strap: For baby sizes| Colours available: all different styles and colours | Awards: Silver – Family travel/holiday product over £25, MadeForMums Awards 2022

Babiators blue series come in a variety of designs, including the flower design listed above, as well as some more subtle designs. All the sunglasses in the blue series come with mirrored polarised lenses to help reduce harsh glare and improve your child's visibility in the sun.

Like the other Babiators, the 1 year guarantee still applies. The sunglasses offer 100% UV protection and have gone through rigorous safety testing.

The sunglasses have a flexible rubber frame with impact and shatter-resistant lenses. They also come with a free pouch, and sizes 0-2 come with a silicone strap to attach if you wish.

Parent tester Katey tested the flower style with her 3 year old (pictured above) and said, "the sunglasses fit well, they are comfy and they do a great job of protecting my daughter's eyes. She has commented a few times how good they are at keeping the sun out".

Pros: Come with a strap for younger sizes, reduce glare and lots of styles to choose from
Cons: Quite pricey

Available from: Natural Baby Shower

What to look for when choosing children's sunglasses

UV protection – Sunglasses for children should provide as close to 100% UVA protection as possible and conform to European safety standard EN 1836:2005. Look out for those marked as UV400, which means they filter out 99% of UVA and UVB rays.

Durability – When it comes to active kids, chances are their sunglasses are going to be dropped or sat on. Look for flexible, durable materials that are able to withstand impact, so you're not constantly having to replace them. Also consider designs that come with a strap to stop them falling off or a case to store them in when they're not being used.

Coverage – Make sure your child’s sunglasses cover a good proportion of the eye area, to ensure their eyes are fully protected.

Comfort – It is also important to invest in a pair that your child actually likes wearing, otherwise they won’t wear them at all. Look for flexible, lightweight materials that'll sit comfortably on their face.

Lenses – Consider polarised lenses if your child is going to be in very bright sunlight, as they work well at reducing glare.

Top 4 things you should do to protect your child's eyes from UV rays

Here are expert Ophthalmologist, Vik Sharma's top tips to protect your child's eyes.

• Wear sunglasses. Check that your child's sunglasses have robust lens protection levels, either 100% UV or UV400 protection blocking both UV-A and UV-B rays. Polarised lenses reflect light but must still have UV protection. If you're worried consider wraparound sunglasses that block more UV light
• Protect your child's eyes even when it's cloudy. Remember that clouds don't block UV light. UV light passes through clouds into your eyes
• Never let your child look directly into the sun as it damages retinas. Be aware that UV light is strongest noon to early afternoon and especially when reflected off water, ice or snow
• Have your child wear a hat, broad-brimmed hates are best, or baseball caps with a peak

When should a child start wearing sunglasses?

"Children should wear sunglasses as soon as they're able to and whenever they're in a sunny environment", said expert Ophthalmologist, Vik.

What UV Protection should your child's sunglasses have?

Sunglasses for babies (and all children) should provide as much protection as possible. The highest being category 4, which offers virtually 100% UVA protection and conform to European safety standards, EN 1836:2005. Look out for those marked as UV400; this means they block a minimum of 99.9% UVB and 99% UVA.