Keep It Covered

It’s always been somewhat of a challenge to get my daughter to wear a hat. In fact, when she was an infant, it was rather comical–I’d place one on her head when we went out, only to be stopped moments later by someone suggesting I get a hat to protect my baby from the sun. That’s when I’d notice she’d yanked it off!— Lately, it’s been even more important that Julia wear a hat, since she tripped a couple of months ago and needed stitches on her forehead. Given that she’s a little girl, she’s perfectly content wearing a Dora the Explorer band-aid to prevent sun damage, but she’s also been willing to give hats another chance. As a result, we’ve tested out lots of different styles recently and become quite the experts! If you’re looking for the perfect summer hat for your child, here are five great options that provide babies and toddlers with the coverage they need to safely play outside.

Coolibar Infant Hawaiian Swim Hat. Available in white or pink with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating of 50, this hat provides stylish sun protection that you can take to the beach or pool without worrying that it will be ruined by salt or chlorine. The Velcro chinstrap helps keep it in place. $20.

Giggle Better Basics Striped Sun Hat. Made from 100 percent organic cotton with a chin tie and wide brim, this hat sports several color combinations appropriate to both boys and girls, including Giggle’s signature orange and white. $18.%uFFFD

i play Brim Sun Protection Hat. This hat is made from lightweight fabric with a UPF rating of 50. It comes in a large variety of colors and patterns, including florals that reverse to solid colors (pictured at the top of this page). i play also offers a hat with baseball-style brim and neck flap. Both hats come with chinstraps to help resist attempts to knock them off. $12.

Sage Baby Organic Sun Hat. A local company founded by moms concerned
about the level of household chemicals babies were exposed to, Sage has
been providing organic and environmentally-friendly products since 2006.
Their sun hat is made of natural colored 100 percent Egyptian cotton and
includes a tie strap to help prevent little hands from easily pulling it
off. $16.%uFFFD

New York Yankees Infant Mascot Bucket Hat. I just couldn’t resist introducing my kids to my favorite team with this 100% cotton sun hat. The lack of a chinstrap does mean the hat is more likely to fall off or be yanked off, but you won’t catch my husband (a Boston Red Sox fan) complaining. $13.