8 Pairs of Toddler and Kids’ Sunglasses That Will Really Protect Your Child’s Eyes

Honestly, until recently I have not been that great about encouraging my kids to wear sunglasses. Even though I wear them myself consistently when I drive or spend time outside. But after researching toddler and kids sunglasses for this review, I’m a little more determined to make sure my children’s eyes are protected. Why? Because exposure to ultraviolet rays can increase the risk for cataracts and macular degeneration later on in life.

But as you would suspect, all sunglasses are not the same. And pictures of super heroes on the frames won’t do anything to keep your kids safe. You need the glasses to block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Also, if the glasses meet ANSI (American National Standards Institute) requirements or block UV absorption up to 400 nm (nanometers), you’re getting enough protection.

The damage from ultraviolet rays builds over time, so the sooner you get your kids in the habit of wearing sunglasses, the better! We tried out some top brands of sunglasses (for toddlers to tweens) and give you our review and Alpha Mom favorites.

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Real Kids Explorer Toddler Sunglasses

When it comes to toddler sunglasses, these are pretty cool.

The Real Kids Explorer sunglasses are super flexible and bendy and the company promises you can’t break them. Well, I tried because I like a challenge. And the most I really did was pop out a lens and I was able to put it right back in.

The glasses offer 100% UVA/UVB protection (UV 400) and shatterproof lenses. These glasses are non-polarized (but you can get them in polarized lenses for $30 which would mean they virtually eliminate glare. (Tinted sunglasses dampen the glare.) The sunglasses have a wrap around frame and come with an adjustable, removable band to help keep these on your toddler.

Here’s the problem – at least for me. My 2 year old had no interest in wearing them and immediately removed them. But maybe your toddler is more chill? Honestly, I could barely take a photo before he was ripping them off.

Size: Toddler (2 +)
Price: $14.95  ($29.95 for version with polarized lenses)
Strengths: 100% UVA/UVB protection (UV 400), polarized, very flexible, durable, shatter-resistant, adjustable band to keep them on toddler’s heads and seem pretty toddler proof (you can get them in polarized lenses).
Weaknesses:  It can be frustrating to drop any amount of cash on glasses your toddler might not wear.
Final Word on Real Kids Explorer sunglasses:  If you’re going to buy sunglasses for your toddler, these are a great one to try especially the ones with non-polarized lenses because of the lower price.  Definitely an Alpha Mom favorite. Just don’t blame us if your toddler throws them out the window instead of wearing them. It might be worth spending 15 minutes at your local drug store and try out some sunglasses on your child just to see if he/she enjoys wearing them. Because some kids (like my 2 year old nephew) really dig a pair of shades. And other kids (like my 2 year old son) don’t. (Buy them at our affiliate Amazon.)

Original Babiators

Just like the Babiators goggles we reviewed here on Alpha Mom, these Babiator sunglasses look super cool.

The Original Babiators sunglasses are for kids ages 0 to 7 (you pick the size from two sizes when you order; my 5-year old son is wearing the “larger” of the two sizes in this photo). They offer 100% UVA/UVB protection and come in a ton of colors.

The glasses are super lightweight and stayed on my 5 year old well. The frames are made from very flexible rubber and seem quite durable. The lenses are shatter-resistant. (Babiators sunglasses also come in a polarized version for $45– scroll down)

The best part about these glasses is the guarantee. If a child’s glasses are lost or broken in the first year, Babiators replaces them for free! I mean, seriously? Yes, seriously. But just remember you have to register the sunglasses within one month of purchase. Not bad for 20 bucks right?

Size: Two sizes (choose 0 – 3 or 3 – 7+)
Price: $25 (polarized version for $45)
Strengths: 100% UVA/UVB protection, lightweight, durable, shatter-resistant, amazing guarantee.
Weaknesses:  They’re cheaper sunglasses out there for kids (see options above and below.)
Final Word on Original Babiators Sunglasses: They really had me at the guarantee. You only have to think about all the stuff kids lose to know this is money well spent. Definitely an Alpha Mom favorite.

Pepper’s Jellie Polarized Sunglasses

These Pepper’s Jellie polarized sunglasses reduce 99% of visible glare and offer 100% protection again ultra violet rays. (These are no longer available. Boo!  But check out similar products here

They are lightweight and seem pretty durable. My 2 year old got a hold of them and popped out a lens but I was able to easily get it back in. The lenses and frame are promised to be “virtually shatterproof” and these glasses do come with a 100% guarantee. If you buy them through REI, the company says if you are not satisfied, you can return them for a replacement or refund within one year of purchase. (Proof of purchase is required though!)

These pink frames come with brown lenses and the blue frames come with smoke gray lenses.

These were great for my 5 year old daughter who does have a pretty small face. I tried them on my 5 year old son and he said they fit well too.

Size: sized to fit small faces (up to age 6)
Price: $13
Strengths: 100% UV protection, polarized and guaranteed (when purchased on the REI website).
Weaknesses:  I can’t come up with one.
Final Word on Pepper’s Jellie polarized sunglasses: Fabulous price for polarized glasses that protect your child’s eyes. Alpha Mom favorite!   (You can buy these Pepper’s Jellie polarized sunglasses on the REI website.)

Julbo Looping 3 Toddler Sunglasses

These Julbo Looping 3 are quite similar in many ways to the Real Kids Explorer sunglasses reviewed above.

These Julbo Looping 3 glasses offer 100% UVA/UVB protection. They are flexible, durable and wrap around your toddler’s head. They fit my 2 year old son really well. These are non-polarized sunglasses even though they have a mirror lens.

What’s cool about the Julbo Looping 3 is there are no hinges and the frames are reversible. This means there is no way for you to put these on your child upside down. Which is great when you’re trying to throw those sunglasses on as quickly as possible!

The company promises that these glasses won’t leave the face of even the most active child. They do have an adjustable, removable strap to keep them on. But just like the Real Kids Explorers above, my 2 year old son took them off immediately and just would not keep them on. Big sigh.

Size: Age 2 – 4
Price: $34.95
Strengths: 100% UVA/UVB protection, flexible, no hinges, frames are reversible and adjustable strap.
Weaknesses:  A lot of cash if your kid won’t wear them and you won’t be able to fold the glasses to make them flatter when you’re storing them.
Final Word on Julbo Looping 3 sunglasses: Even though these are $35, I still really liked them because of the look, the color combos, the no hinges and the reversible frames. They seem toddler-proof. This would be an Alpha Mom favorite except for the price tag.

Julbo Reach Kids Sunglasses

The Julbo Reach sunglasses offer 100% protection against UVA, B and C rays. (UVC rays are blocked by the ozone layer so it’s really UVA and UVB rays that we need to worry about.) These lenses are Spectron 3+ which means they block 88% of visible light. They are lightweight and are described as shock resistant (although it’s not entirely clear to me what that means when referring to sunglasses).

 

My 8 year old and 10 year old daughters love these glasses! They adored the color, the mirrored lenses and thought they were super comfortable. Of course, now they fight over this pair.

Size: Age 6 – 10
Price: $43
Strengths: 100% UVA/UVB protection, lightweight, durable and look cool.
Weaknesses: The price. 40 bucks for sunglasses? Way too steep for my budget.
Final Word on Julbo Reach sunglasses: Great pair of sunglasses but you can find quality shades for cheaper. (You can find these pair of Jublo Reach sunglasses at Amazon.)

Junior Banz Sunglasses

These Junior Banz sunglasses really come in some awesome camouflage colors (Nordic Camo shown below) and fun designs.

These glasses offer 100% UVA/UVB protection (UV 400) and are category 3 polarized lenses. If sunglasses are polarized, it means they can practically eliminate blinding glare. And any sunglasses in category 3 offer a good level of UV protection and a high level of sun glare reduction.

The wrap around frames are shatter resistant. These glasses come with a carrying case and a removable neoprene strap.

Even though these glasses are supposed to be for the 4 to 10 year old set, they were too big on my 5 year old twins. So I would really buy these for slightly older kids.

Size: Ages 4 – 10
Price: $25
Strengths: 100% UVA/UVB protection (UV 400), polarized and cool colors and designs.
Weaknesses:  Too big for younger kids and a bit pricy.
Final Word on Junior Banz sunglasses: These are cool glasses that offer great eye protection for your children.  Because they are polarized, the price is a bit high. You can likely find a great pair of kid’s sunglasses for less. (You can buy these Junior Banz sunglasses on Amazon.)

Real Kids Breeze Sunglasses