Certified UPF 50+
Kids' swim sun hats
UPF 50+ sun protection hats for children that go in the water, often called sun safe swim hats: quick drying, chlorine resistant and secure, each certified to block at least 98% of UV rays.
- Dermatologist recommended
- Free UK delivery over £70
- 14-day returns
More kids' sun hats
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Stingray Kids' UV Legionnaire Cap UPF 50+
Regular price £22.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Stingray Kids' UV Bucket Hat UPF 50+
Regular price £25.00Regular priceUnit price per
What customers say
4.7 average from over 12,500 customer reviews
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“Bucket hat is adorable and functional. She wore it in the sea and it didn't get heavy or saggy. Super soft on her skin too.”
UV bucket hat
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“Our daughter has sensitive skin so this sun hat was a must. Breathable, comfy and she didn't fuss once. Gave me peace of mind all week.”
UV legionnaire cap
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“Bucket hat is solid. Lightweight, doesn't blow off easily and didn't get in his eyes. He wore it in/out the pool with no complaints.”
UV bucket hat
How to choose a kids' swim sun hat
Both hats are made from quick-drying swim fabric and stay on in the water. Choose by how much of the ears and neck you want covered.
Coverage The legionnaire cap covers the most, with a peak for the face and a flap over the ears and the whole neck. The bucket hat covers less but it is the easiest to pack.
Sizes Both hats come in 2 to 4 and 6 to 12 years, with a drawstring to adjust the fit.
Dermatologist recommended
“UPF clothing is an essential part of any sun protection strategy. It offers consistent coverage and long-term UV defence, especially for those at higher risk of skin cancer. equatorsun helps make that protection both effective and practical.”
Common questions about kids' swim sun hats
Why should kids wear swim hats?
To keep the sun off in the water. The top of the head, the ears and the back of the neck get the most sun of anywhere while a child swims or plays in the shallows, and the water washes cream off within minutes. A sun safe swim hat in quick-drying UPF 50+ fabric covers those places, blocks at least 98% of UV rays and stays on easily.
Can a child wear a sun hat in the pool?
Yes, if it is made for it. A cotton or straw hat goes soggy and loses its shape, but a swim hat in chlorine-resistant swim fabric with a drawstring stays on and dries in minutes. Outdoor pools, lidos and holiday pools are where children burn most, because the water reflects the sun back up under a hat brim and onto the face, so a hat and cream together is the best solution.
How quickly does it dry?
The swim fabric is relatively thin and does not hold a significant amount of water, so the hat is dry by the time they have had a snack and goes straight into a bag. Rinse it in cold water after the pool or the sea to get the salt and chlorine out, and dry it in the shade.
Will it stay on in the sea?
Yes, however the legionnaire cap is the better option for vigorous activity in the water since it has a chin strap. The legionnaire cap's drawstring means it can stay on through waves, jumping in and snorkelling. Pull the drawstring snug before they go in and the hat will come out of the sea with them.
Why choose equatorsun for kids' swim sun hats?
Ordinary children's swim hats are rarely tested for UV and they can let through up to 10 times more UV than UPF 50+ children's swim hats. Every equatorsun piece is tested to the AS/NZS 4399 or EN 13758 standard and certified UPF 50+, which means the fabric blocks at least 98% of UVA and UVB rays from reaching the skin it covers, and the protection cannot wash out or wear off. Leading UK consultant dermatologist Dr Dev Shah recommends the equatorsun range. We're a UK family business and have specialised in sun protective clothing since 2006. Customers rate us 4.7 out of 5 across more than 12,500 reviews.
