8 of the best insect repellents for kids recommended by parents

In the list we've included all different types of insect repellent so whether you want a lotion, a patch, a bracelet, a spray or plug, you will find an insect repellent that suits you and your child.

As the weather gets warmer it's important you also protect your child's skin and eyes with sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglasses. You may also find a car shade helpful for blocking out the sun in the car, or a buggy cover useful if your child is still in a pram or pushchair.

Best insect repellents for kids at a glance

• Best insect repellent for dry skin: Avon Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil Body Spray, £4
• Best lotion insect repellent: Jungle Formula For Kids, £5.04
• Best insect repellent spray for babies: VIE Heathcare Anti Mosquito Spray, £7.53
• Best non-topical insect repellent: CSL Mosquito Repellent Bracelets (10 pack), £6.49
• Best sustainable insect repellent: Toddle Insect Repellent for Children, £5.99
• Best insect repellent wipes: VIE Anti Mosquito Wipes (24 pack), £6.81
• Best plug-in insect repellent: Boots Repel Mosquito Killer 3 Pin Plug-In, £8.99
• Best insect repellent patches: Green Baby Mosquito Patches (48 patches), £14.17

What to consider when buying insect repellent for kids

Age suitability – Insect repellents are suitable from different ages so always make sure you check the one you are buying is suitable for your child's age. Scroll to the end of this article for some further information on the ingredients you may wish to look out for when choosing products for very young children.

Type – You can get many different types of insect repellents; sprays, patches, lotions, bracelets, plug-ins and wipes. What you choose to use is ultimately down to preference: find one that is easier to apply or that your child finds most comfortable. If you're concerned about putting something on your child's skin then a plug-in may work for you.

Ease of application – Sprays, bracelets and plug-ins are probably the easiest options, however, you may get better coverage from lotions or wipes. Plug-ins only work when you are close to them, so if your child is out and about they'll need a different option.

Duration –Make sure you take a look at how long the insect repellent lasts and how often it needs to be topped up to be the most effective.

Scent – Many insect repellents work by scent, so you'll find a lot have very strong fragrances in order to work. However there are some products in this list that have more subtle scents or use different techniques that could be more suitable if anyone in your family is sensitive to fragrance, such as the bracelets.

Here's our pick of the best insect repellents for 2022 that are safe for kids

1. Avon Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil Body Spray, £4 (150ml)

– Best for dry skin

Suitable for: 12 months+

This spray is designed to soften your skin with the help of Jojoba oil, but many parents swear by its insect-fighting properties, too. It contains citronella oil, which is probably why it can help ward off bites. The oil isn’t recognised as an official repellent but there is so much anecdotal evidence that it does the job that it's definitely worth a try if you want to avoid DEET (more on that at the bottom of this article).

Parent tester Lowri, uses Avon Skin So Soft as an insect repellent on their 4 year old son and the rest of the family and said, "We have strong reactions to bites and clearly taste delicious to midges and mosquitos. It doesn't claim it is a repellent, but it has been amazing for us and we get less bites when using it. It smells faintly citrusy, sprays on easily and dries swiftly, with a wriggly child this makes a difference. As it's a moisturising spray it's good for his skin too and I am less stressed about it getting on clothes than other repellents".

Pros: Nice scent, sprays on easily, dries quickly, moisturises skin and doesn't stain clothes
Cons: Might not work for everyone, not marketed as an insect repellent

Available from: Avon and Amazon

2. Jungle Formula For Kids, £5.04 (125ml)

– Best lotion

Suitable for: 12 months+ | Duration: 6 hours

Jungle Formula is an effective, widely trusted brand – its maximum strength formula is recommended by the Hospital of Tropical Diseases – and the brand now offers a kids’ version which is suitable for babies from 12 months.

The light lotion doesn’t contain DEET, so it's milder than some of the other products in the range, and is specifically tested for kids, protecting your child for up to 6 hours from mosquitos, midges, horseflies and ticks.

The gentler formula may work brilliantly in some situations, but do note it is not recommended if you’re heading to countries with insect-borne diseases like Malaria – you will have to reach for a stronger version for that (with 50% DEET strength), which is suitable from 3 years, as well as speaking to your GP before you travel.

Pros: Trusted brand and a light lotion
Cons: Not strong enough for countries with insect-borne diseases

Available from: Amazon and Boots

3. VIE Healthcare Anti Mosquito Spray, £7.53 (100ml)

– Best spray for babies

Suitable for: 3 months+ | Duration: 6 hours

This natural DEET-free formula is specifically designed to protect babies from bites. Using p-menthane-3,8-diol (synthesised from lemon eucalyptus), it promises effective protection for up to 6 hours, and as it’s made from all-natural ingredients, it even smells nice.

Parent tester Jenny, who uses this spray on her 3 kids aged 3 months, 4 years and 6 years said, "we took it to Ghana and it worked a treat. I ended up using it on myself as well. I liked that is was natural and good for sensitive skin as well as being super easy to use".

Pros: Good for babies as easy to apply, works well for sensitive skin and has a nice scent
Cons: Not suitable for newborns

Available from: Amazon

4. CSL Mosquito Repellent Bracelets (10 pack), £6.49

– Best non-topical insect repellent

Suitable for: 6 months+ | Duration: 250 hours

The CSL Mosquito Repellent Bracelets claim to protect your child for up to 250 hours. You simply put the bracelet around their wrist or ankle. The bracelets are non-toxic and unlike most other products, don't need to be applied to them skin, making them safe for very young children. With 10 in a pack they're also excellent value.

The bands are waterproof which comes in handy on holiday when you're in and out of the pool or sea. They work using geraniol and citronella oil to protect your child's skin from bites, which gives them them a pleasant citrus scent. Essential oils may not be effective on everyone, but citronella is famous for warding off insects as the ingredient in most insect-fighting candles and incense.

Parent tester Sarah, who uses these bracelets herself and on her 2 year old daughter and husband said, "we usually put the bracelets around our ankles so they're not too intrusive. They last in the water too so really once they're on we don't take them off all holiday. They're comfortable, not annoying and flexible so you can wrap them as many times as needed to fit all".

Pros: Up to 250 hours protection, no need to keep re-applying, no mess, waterproof and comes in a pack of 10
Cons: Child may get irritated wearing it, not as strong as other products, not suitable under 6 months

Available from: Amazon

5. Toddle Insect Repellent for Children, £5.99

– Best for sustainability

Suitable for: 0+ | Duration: 8 hours

Toddle's insect repellent isn't just child friendly, it's also eco-friendly. It's non-toxic to wildlife and aquatic animals, meaning fish and algae are not impacted if your child goes in the water. The brand is committed to sustainability practices when it comes to packaging and is also introducing more refills.

The spray has a non-sticky formula and protects your child for up to 8 hours. The concentrated formula should offer you around 200 applications, meaning this bottle should last a while. It's also water resistant, so it shouldn't come off if your child chooses to go for a swim.

Pros: Eco-friendly, non-sticky formula, long-lasting
Cons: Have to reapply quite often

Available from: Not On The High Street and Amazon

6. VIE Anti Mosquito Wipes (24 pack), £6.81

– Best insect repellent wipes

Suitable for: 3 months+ | Duration: 3.5 hours

If you would rather not use a spray or lotion, perhaps a wipe is more suitable. These wipes work the same as VIE spray but come in single-use packages. The application technique may be slightly more hassle but it could be more effective if you wipe it directly onto your child, and they're great for top-ups on the go. However, one wipe does only last around 3 and a half hours, and with each pack containing 24 mosquito repellent wipes, you may need to stock up.

Parent tester Carly, who uses these wipes both on herself and her 11 month old son, said, "they were really effective, my son was never bitten and I was rarely bitten (I'm like a magnet for mosquitos). I liked that they are fairly fuss free and feel like the wipes gave good coverage for a baby and from a portability aspect they're great".

Pros: Provides good coverage and don't take up much room in a bag or case
Cons: May not be the most cost effective method, slightly more time consuming than a spray and only lasts 3.5 hours

Available from: Amazon

7. Boots Repel Mosquito Killer 3 Pin Plug-In, £8.99

– Best for a plug-in

Suitable for: Any age as long as inaccessible to children and animals | Duration: 45 days (8-10 hours a night)

Although a plug-in isn't suitable if you're moving around during the day, if you're looking for something to protect your child at night, you could try using this plug-in repellent in their bedroom.

It should last up to 45 days and you can buy refills when it runs out. It will protect your child for 8-10 hours per night if used in a 30 cubic meter room. The plug is suitable for use in any 3 pin socket but must be placed away from children and animals.

It's also not recommended for children who suffer from asthma.

Pros: Easy to use, no application needed and lasts a long time
Cons: Can only be used inside and may be dangerous if in reach of a child

Available from: Boots

8. Green Baby Mosquito patches, £14.17 (48 patches)

– Best insect repellent patches

Suitable for: 0+ | Duration: 10 hours

We love these little patches, as they can be used for all ages – which is not the case for a number of other products on our list. They are little squares that are not applied directly to skin. Instead, you squeeze the patches to ‘activate’ the essential oils and ward off pesky mosquitos and other insects.

Once activated, you can attach the patches to clothing, a cot or buggy. The ingredients are citronella and lemon eucalyptus oils in pure form, and they last up to 10 hours according to the brand.

Pros: Can be used for all ages and can attach the patches to clothing buggies etc
Cons: Slightly more time consuming than other methods

Available from: Amazon

Is DEET repellent safe for kids?

You might have heard some worrying stories about the ingredient DEET (or diethyltoluamide) and its possible negative effects on users’ health. In fact, many of the articles that have circulated in recent years are inaccurate and DEET is still considered one of the most effective – and safest – insect repellent to use.

The NHS recommends on its travel advice website that DEET can be used by all individuals over the age of 2 months, including pregnant women (unless known to be allergic). The key is applying it correctly to avoid inhalation or ingestion – spray it onto your own hand before applying it to your little one's skin, and don’t apply it to kids’ hands.

However, if you want to stick to more natural ingredients and avoid something as strong as DEET (it can damage non-natural fibres in your clothes), there are a number of products on the market.

Lemon Eucalyptus oil is a natural alternative seen often in insect repellents, as is Citronella oil. The NHS points out that although Citronella oil contains insect repellent properties and is often marketed against bites, its effectiveness can be very short-lived – so you may want to use it only as part of your anti-bug arsenal.

Products-aside, don’t forget that loose, long clothing and mosquito nets are among the most useful equipment in your fight against biting blighters.