The Best UV Protective Swimwear & Beachwear For Babies & Kids

From swimwear to rashguards to sun hats to beach tents and umbrellas, we’ve rounded up the best UPF50+ protective gear for kids and babies. Say no to sunburns and let your kids splash away while wearing UV protective swimwear and clothing!

kids at beach

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Whether you’re at the beach, the splashpad or the pool, sunscreen alone may not be enough to protect your child’s skin from a sunburn. Applying sunscreen to a kid who’s caked with sand or dripping wet can be a nightmare.

That’s where UV protective clothing comes in handy. UV protective clothing is the best way to ensure that your child is protected from the sun, especially children that are swimming or splashing in the water for long periods of time and not reapplying sunscreen.

Will A Regular Cotton T-Shirt Offer Protection?

A run-of-the-mill T-shirt has a UPF of 5, so 20% of UVA and UVB rays are getting through the fabric. While any coverage is better than none, UV protective clothing is going to be more effective at blocking harmful UV rays than a thin t-shirt or poorly applied sunscreen.

What Is UPF?

UPF is a measure of sun protection for fabric, just as SPF is a measure of protection for sunscreen (although SPF only measures UVB rays). UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) is the amount of both UVA and UVB radiation that penetrates fabric and reaches the skin.

In order for fabric to qualify for The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal, it must have a UPF of 30 or greater. Fabric with a UPF of 30 to 49 offers very good protection, while UPF 50+ offers excellent protection.

What To Look For In UPF Clothing

  • Fabric weave– Look for fabric with a very tight weave. Fabric construction affects the amount of sun protection an item of clothing offers. Keep in mind that although a pair of denim jeans has a tight weave and offers good sun protection, that’s not the type of fabric any of us would wear to the beach. Synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester, bamboo viscose and tightly woven hemp fabric are all densely woven, yet are lightweight and ideal for the beach.
  • Color– Darker or brighter colors absorb more UV rays and offer more sun protection than lighter ones.
  • Coverage– Purchase UPF clothing for areas of the body that get exposed to the most sun, like the shoulders, the back and the head/neck area. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something comfortable that your child will actually wear!
  • Color– Choose a bright colored fabric that is not blue or green if your child will be swimming. For maximum visibility and safety, colors like neon yellow, neon orange and hot pink stand out against water.

UPF Clothing For Babies

Should you slather your baby in sunscreen? The FDA recommends against it, since infants are at greater risk of sunscreen side effects, such as a rash. The FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend keeping newborns and babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight.

Dress your infant in a UV protective swimsuit and hat if you plan to be at the beach or splash park, and make sure your infant stays in the shade as much as possible. At the end of the post, I’ve got a recommendation for a UPF50+ baby tent and large shade umbrella. Check out my post on mineral sunscreen for babies, kids and teens- you’ll find safe mineral sunscreen options for babies over 6 months of age.

UV Protective Clothing, Sunscreen & Kids

Applying sunscreen to a kids that are in the water all day can be tricky, and rash guards are perfect for swimming to protect vulnerable skin from intense sun. Have your kids sit under a UPF50+ tent or large shade umbrella when they’re not swimming (recommendations at the end of this post). Check out my post on mineral sunscreen for kids and teens- you’ll find the best safe mineral sunscreen options in lotion, stick and spray formulas.

To complete your summer fun, fill up a low-tox kiddie pool with a drinking water safe hose and enjoy the warm weather! Pack a tote bag with eco-friendly beach toys for fun in the sand and don’t forget to apply mineral sunscreen and wear UV Protective clothing!

Look below for my favorite brands of UV protective swimwear and beachwear- from babies to toddlers to kids, you’ll find a wide selection of swimsuits, rashguards, swim trunks and more for your summer adventure!

Jan & Jul

About Jan & Jul | Florence, the founder of Jan & Jul, is an engineering major who earned two patents under her name. She began sewing for her two daughters and founded the company with the ingenuity of engineering meeting the lived experiences of motherhood as the heart of the brand. At Jan & Jul, giving back locally and worldwide has always been a priority, and since 2018, they have donated a total of 72,730 meals to school-aged children in need.
The Swimwear | Jan & Jul’s UV Swimwear naturally protects delicate skin from the sun with premium non-toxic fabric. The all-day 50+ UPF protection comes from the weave of the fabric to naturally block 98% of the sun’s rays. Made without any harmful chemicals, dyes, solutions, PFAS or fluorocarbons.
Sizes | Sizes range from 6 months to 12 years

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Hanna Andersson

About Hanna Andersson | Gun Denhart, a Swedish woman living in the United States, founded Hanna Andersson. Her goal was to outfit the adventure of childhood by embracing distinctly Scandinavian principles: iconic design that marries form and function, a genuine commitment to sustainability, and a lifestyle that leads to happy, meaningful lives. That is an amazing mission for a company, and they have the absolute cutest clothing around!
The Swimwear | Hanna Andersson swimsuits and beachwear are OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified safe from hundreds of harsh chemicals. The swim fabric protects skin from 97% of harmful UVA/UVB rays.
Sizes | Sizes range from 3 months to14 years
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UPF50+ kids swimwear

Quince

About Quince | Quince is committed to manufacturing high-quality products with minimal environmental impact.
The Swimwear | The recycled nylon material blocks 98% of the Sun’s harmful UV rays and is OEKO-TEX Certified.
Sizes | Sizes range from 3 months to 12 years
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City Threads

About City Threads | City Threads uses fabrics that are carefully sourced and free of all harsh chemicals or dyes and much of our clothing is mostly high quality, 100% cotton. You won’t find zippers, buttons, snaps or other fasteners on most of our clothes and waistbands are covered in soft, high-quality fabric to avoid irritating your child’s sensitive skin. Their clothes are designed to hold their shape, even after dozens of washings and most of our products come pre-laundered and garment dyed so that they won’t shrink or fade. And their clothing is made in the U.S.A.!
The swimwear | City Threads UPF 50+ Sun Protection is made with 80% Nylon, 20% Spandex and with 100% Polyester thread. OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified safe from hundreds of harsh chemicals.
Sizes | Sizes range from 9 months to 16 years
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Primary 

About Primary | Primary is a small company based in New York, founded by two moms who were previously executives at Diapers.com/Quidsi. They created Primary so that parents everywhere will have a go-to for quality clothes without logos, slogans, or gendered prescriptions. Giving back is a core value  at Primary, and since their launch in 2015 they have donated tens of thousands of their premium basics worth over $1 million to their partner Baby2Baby.
The Swimwear | The material Primary uses is UPF50+, and it is made of 80% recycled nylon and 20% spandex. The fabric is  OEKO-Tex Standard 100 certified, meaning the fabric has been tested and is free of over 300 chemicals and known irritants. It’s a higher standard that is better for skin, better for the environment, and better for parents’ peace of mind.
Sizes | Sizes range from 3 months to 14 years
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UV Skinz

About UV Skinz | The founder, a mother of three boys, lost her 32-year-old husband to skin cancer. She founded UV Skinz to “to help families have fun outdoors and still have peace-of-mind from the sun’s damaging rays“.
The Swimwear | UV Skinz UPF50+ clothing gets UV protection from the tight weave of fabric, and is not coated with any chemicals.
Sizes | Sizes range from 3 months to 14 years
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Coolibar 

About Coolibar | Coolibar was the first clothing company to receive The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation.
The Swimwear | Coolibar uses a combination of tight weave, color, weight and additions of the best mineral ingredients found in sunscreens, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide infused at the fiber or fabric level. Even with multiple washings and exposure to sweat, chlorine and salt – the sun protection never washes out.
Sizes | Sizes range from 3 months to 12 years
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UPF Beach Chairs, Tents & Umbrellas

When kids aren’t swimming and splashing in the water, have them sit under a UPF50+ umbrella or have them eat lunch in a UPF50+ tent to get some reprieve from the intense sun. Don’t forget the beach chairs! We also use UPF50+ canopy chairs to watch soccer games and it’s so nice to have some extra shade. Also, Check out my post on mineral sunscreen for babies, kids and teens- you’ll find the best safe mineral sunscreen options in lotion, stick and spray formulas.

More Non-Toxic Inspiration For Kids

kids at beach