Spring is the time to sort out sunglasses. UV levels climb fast from March, long before it feels like summer, and last year's pair may no longer fit.
We all reach for sun cream before a day outside. Children's eyes need the same care: their lenses let through more UV than an adult's, and that exposure adds up over a lifetime. A good pair of sunglasses belongs in the beach bag right next to the sunscreen (and yes, they look adorable in them too). This guide covers what to look for and our picks for every age.
What makes a great pair of kids' sunglasses
- 100% UV protection (UV400 or 100% UVA/UVB). Non-negotiable.
- Polarized lenses to cut glare from water, sand and pavement.
- Impact-resistant lenses, never glass.
- Light, flexible frames that bend instead of breaking.
- The right size for your child's age today.
- A colour they love, so they actually wear them.
Sizing: where most parents go wrong
Ask parents what went wrong with their last pair and the answer is usually size. Plenty of brands make one "kids" frame and call it suitable from birth to age 12. On a two-year-old it slips down the nose; on a ten-year-old it squeezes at the temples. Either way, it ends up in a drawer.
That's why we size by age: 0–3, 3–5, 3–7, 7–12 and 12+. Shopping online? Check our kids' size guide by age before you order.
Frames that bend, not break
Kids sit on sunglasses, drop them and pull them off by one arm. A flexible frame copes with all of it and also stays more comfortable on a face that never stops moving. Our baby and toddler frames are soft TPEE; from age 3 we use TR90, which you can twist and it springs back into shape. Every lens is rated UV400, blocking 100% of UVA and UVB.
Polarized or not?
Polarization and UV protection are two different things. UV protection keeps harmful rays out of the eye, and a non-polarized UV400 lens does that just as well as a polarized one. Polarization is about glare: it filters the bright light that bounces off water, sand, snow and roads, so kids see more clearly and squint less. We think that comfort is worth having, so every OLIVIO&CO sunglass lens is polarized. More in Do kids' sunglasses need to be polarized?
Keep them on (and keep track of them)
A strap solves two problems. Worn around the neck, it means sunglasses hang ready instead of getting left on a bench. Worn around the back of the head, it holds the frame in place on little ones who keep pulling them off. Our eyewear strap set fits ages 3+, and how to keep sunglasses on active toddlers and kids has more tricks.
Our picks by age
Babies and toddlers (0–3 years)
Soft TPEE frames that are gentle on tiny faces, with polarized, 100% UV lenses. Try Toddler & Baby Round – Shark White or Toddler & Baby Oval – Desert Sand.
Preschoolers (3–5 years)
Flexible TR90 frames in cheerful colours. A best seller: Kids Round – Squid Black. For something brighter: Kids Oval – Citrus Yellow.
Kids (3–7 years)
More shapes to choose from, including Square-D. Try Kids Oval (3–7) – Citrus Yellow or Kids Square-D – Sunshine Coral.
Youth (7–12 years)
Closer to grown-up styles, still sized for younger faces. Try Youth Square-D – Ocean Fantasy.
Teens (12+)
Full-size frames, often matching what parents wear. Try Teen & Adult Oval – Sun Coral.
Best for sport and active play
Close-fitting sport sunglasses with impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses: Kids Sports (3–7) – Azure Blue and Youth Sports (7–12) – Flamingo Pink.
Best for the beach
Polarized lenses plus a strap so they don't end up in the sea. Pair any style with an eyewear strap set (ages 3+).
Before you buy
Check sizing with our kids' size guide by age, and read why kids should wear sunglasses.
