The best insect repellents for babies and kids in 2025, recommended by parents

We've scoured the market and found the products that are safe to use on babies and children, and spoken to parents across the UK to find out what they consider to be the best mosquito repellents. From the in-the-know "magic" spray that's not even marketed as a bug-buster, to the bracelets that can be slipped on the wrist of even the wriggliest toddler, here are our picks.

Best insect repellents for kids at a glance

• Best insect repellent for dry skin: Avon Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil Body Spray, £5.49 at Superdrug
• Best insect repellent spray for babies: VIE Heathcare Anti Mosquito Spray, £8.95 at Amazon
• Best insect repellent patches for kids: NATPAT Buzz Patch Mosquito Patch Stickers for Kids (60 pack), from £15.60 at Amazon
• Best insect repellent wipes for kids: VIE Anti Mosquito Wipes (12 pack), £5.44 at Amazon
• Best stylish insect repellent bands for kids: Pestects Mosquito Repellent Bracelets, £19.99 at Pestects
• Best sustainable insect repellent for kids: Toddle Insect Repellent for Children, £6.99 at Amazon
• Best plug-in insect repellent for kids: Boots Repel Mosquito Killer 3 Pin Plug-In, £9.35 at Boots

Jump to:

• What to consider when buying insect repellent for kids
• Is DEET repellent safe for kids?
• How did we choose our best list?

Best insect and mosquito repellents suitable for babies and kids in 2025

1. Avon Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil Body Spray, £5.50 (150ml)

Best insect repellent for dry skin

Suitable for: 12 months+

Pros:

• Nice scent
• Sprays on easily
• Dries quickly
• Moisturises skin
• Doesn't stain clothes

Cons:

• Might not work for everyone
• Not marketed as an insect repellent
• Not suitable for newborns

This spray is designed to soften your skin with the help of Jojoba oil, but many parents swear by its insect-fighting properties, too. There are even rumours that it's used by the Royal Marines to fight off midges in Scotland. The fragrance contains citronella oil, which is probably why it can help ward off bites.

The oil isn’t recognised as an official insect repellent but there is so much anecdotal evidence that it does the job, and Avon always puts it on offer during the Summer months in a knowing wink to this little secret. It's definitely worth a try if you want to avoid DEET (more on that at the bottom of this article) and has the bonus of making skin feel soft and silky too.

We use Avon's Skin So Soft. It's been a lifesaver as we live close to a river and we get through it at a real rate!

Available from: Avon, Superdrug and Amazon

2. VIE Healthcare Anti Mosquito Spray, £8.95 (100ml)

Best insect repellent spray for babies

Suitable for: 3 months+ | Duration: 6 hours

Pros:

• Easy to apply
• Works well for sensitive skin
• Nice scent

Cons:

• Not suitable for newborns

This natural DEET-free formula is specifically designed to protect babies from bites. It promises effective protection for up to 6 hours from the age of 3 months, using a mix of geranium oil, lemongrass oil, citronella, and lemon oil which also ensure it has a fresh, citrus scent.

The spray formula makes it easy to apply on wriggly babies, and the 100ml size is cabin-safe too (although we're going to guess most people travelling with babies will be checking a suitcase or two).

We used the Vie spray on our 4.5 month old and no bites even though there were definitely a few mosquitoes around as all the adults got bit!

Available from: Amazon (1 pack) and (3 pack)

3. NatPat Buzz Patch Mosquito Patch Stickers for Kids (60 pack), from £15.60

Best insect repellent patches for kids

Suitable for: 0+ | Duration: 8 hours

Pros:

• Suitable for all ages
• Can attach to clothing, buggies etc

Cons:

• More time consuming than other methods
• Can be more expensive depending on how patches you need

These little patches are brilliant if you're travelling with a very young baby 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 stuck onto your child's clothes, rather than directly onto the skin.

The number of patches you need varies depending on the age of your child: ages 0-2 just need 1 patch placed centrally on their clothes, whereas kids aged 3-5 need 2 patches and kids aged 6+ and adults need 2-4 patches at any one time. The patches come in an assortment of colours and are made from a medical grade tape. They're free from DEET and are formulated with all-natural essential oils.

The patches were a success!! No bites! We put a patch on the back of their t-shirts when we were going out in the evening and on the back of their PJs at bedtime too.

Available from: Amazon

4. VIE Anti Mosquito Wipes (12 pack), £5.44

Best insect repellent wipes for kids

Suitable for: 3 months+ | Duration: 3.5 hours

Pros:

• Provides good coverage
• Don't take up much room in a bag or case

Cons:

• May not be the most cost-effective method
• More time-consuming than a spray
• Only lasts 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.

I have super sensitive skin which I’ve passed on to my son and the only thing I’ve found that we can use that actually works is Vie. They are all natural ingredients, non-toxic and hypoallergenic! I’d highly recommend them.

Available from: Amazon

5. Jungle Formula Kids Anti-Mosquito Slap-it Band Insect Repellent, £10

Best waterproof insect repellent band for kids

Suitable for: Children from 3 years | Duration: Up to 2 weeks repellence when used 8 hours a day

Pros:

• Up to 250 hours protection
• No need to keep re-applying
• No mess
• Waterproof
• Comes in a pack of 10

Cons:

• Child may get irritated wearing it
• Not as strong as other products
• Not suitable for under 3 years

The Jungle Formula Slap-It Bands claim to offer 2 weeks repellence when used for 8 hours a day. This waterproof option uses the natural active ingredient geraniol, but it doesn't come into contact with the skin directly like other repellent bracelets, making it a good choice for more sensitive skins.

Thanks to the 'slap-it' design, the band automatically adjusts to the size of your child's wrist so you won't have to worry about it falling off. It is worth noting that Jungle Formula does suggest using the band in conjunction with its Kids Lotion for maximum protection.

Available from: Amazon and Ocado

6. Pestects Mosquito Repellent Bracelets, £19.99 for 12

Best stylish insect repellent bands for kids

Suitable for: All ages | Duration: 1.5 weeks per bracelet

Pros:

• 300 hours protection
• Waterproof
• Looks like jewellery

Cons:

• Won't work for babies
• Expensive

If you have a child who complains about wearing insect repellent (or is sensitive to it) they may be persuaded by these braided bands, which look far more stylish than most alternatives. Designed to protect for up to 300 hours, like many of the kid-safe products on this list they work using a combination of essential oils: eucalyptus, peppermint, citronella and lemongrass.

Although Pestects claims that the bands are safe for "all the family", a bracelet like this is not suitable for a small baby, and these are likely to work better for school-aged kids who like the fashion element of the bracelets. They come in a whole host of colours and are safe to use in water and vegan-friendly.

Available from: Pestects

7. Boots Repel Mosquito Killer 3 Pin Plug-In, £9.35

Best plug-in insect repellent for kids

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

Pros:

• Easy to use
• No application needed
• Lasts a long time

Cons:

• Can only be used inside
• May be dangerous if in reach of a child

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.

This plug-in insect repellent should last up to 45 days and 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 not recommended for children who suffer from asthma.

Available from: Boots

What to consider when buying insect repellent for kids

• Age suitability – The age suitability of insect repellents varies a lot, so always make sure you check the one you are buying is suitable for your child's age, particularly if you have a young baby.
• Type – You can get many different types of insect repellents; sprays, patches, lotions, bracelets, plug-ins and wipes. What you choose to use may be down to preference, but can also vary with age: many topical treatments are not suitable for babies and young children so check the packaging carefully.
• Ease of application – Sprays, bracelets and plug-ins are probably the easiest options for kids, however, you may get better coverage from lotions or wipes once your child is old enough. 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 of efficacy – 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. Don't apply it more often than advised.
• Scent – Many insect repellents for kids work by scent – using essential oils – 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.

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 and the UK government advise that DEET can be used by 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 alternative 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. Look for natural fibres to stay cool in warm climates where mosquitos tend to be prevalent.