Choosing a Perfect Sun Hat for Kids
aungcrown
Aung Crown
2021-05-14 17:28:07
We all know it is important to have healthy skin. Since more than 1/3 of all skin cancer appears on the face and the number one culprit for wrinkles and premature aging is the sun, wearing a good sun protective hat is a preventative measure too important to miss. A sunburn is never good , but remember sun damage is also cumulative. In other words, UV injury upon injury adds up over time to accumulate into major skin damage. The earlier sun protective measures are started, the better.
Let me say up front that kids can be tough when it comes to hats. Not that they are hard to fit but that getting a child to wear a hat can be a challenge. If you start them off wearing hats from infancy, like a car seat, they may come to expect wearing a sun hat is just a way of life. But even then, we often hear that most kids go through the "There is no way I am wearing a hat" stage. But fear not! As fellow conspirators in your child's well-being, we think we may have some ideas that make wearing a hat fun!
So let's start with getting a good fit, and we will end with suggestions that might help you get your children interested in wearing their sun hats.
Getting a good fit: The best way to get a good fit is the old fashion way of measuring the circumference of the head. For some of our hats we include age equivalents but beware! Head size varies dramatically for both adult and children with no regard to age or gender. We have seen 8 year olds with adult size heads. So measure around the head (above the eyes and ears... where the hat brim sits) with a soft measuring tape or use a string and then measure the length of the string to take the guess work out of sizing.
As we all know, kids grow at an alarming rate. Most of our hat measurements are within a range, but if your child's head measurement is very close to the next larger size, you may want to consider choosing that bigger size.
Our brim sizes are all child appropriate, but you will most likely have insights as to the width of the brim that is best for your child. We would suggest you go with your gut feeling on this one, remembering that the wider the brim, the more sun will be blocked. Additionally, a brim with a downward slope will increase the sun protective ability of the hat.
Let me say up front that kids can be tough when it comes to hats. Not that they are hard to fit but that getting a child to wear a hat can be a challenge. If you start them off wearing hats from infancy, like a car seat, they may come to expect wearing a sun hat is just a way of life. But even then, we often hear that most kids go through the "There is no way I am wearing a hat" stage. But fear not! As fellow conspirators in your child's well-being, we think we may have some ideas that make wearing a hat fun!
So let's start with getting a good fit, and we will end with suggestions that might help you get your children interested in wearing their sun hats.
Getting a good fit: The best way to get a good fit is the old fashion way of measuring the circumference of the head. For some of our hats we include age equivalents but beware! Head size varies dramatically for both adult and children with no regard to age or gender. We have seen 8 year olds with adult size heads. So measure around the head (above the eyes and ears... where the hat brim sits) with a soft measuring tape or use a string and then measure the length of the string to take the guess work out of sizing.
As we all know, kids grow at an alarming rate. Most of our hat measurements are within a range, but if your child's head measurement is very close to the next larger size, you may want to consider choosing that bigger size.
Our brim sizes are all child appropriate, but you will most likely have insights as to the width of the brim that is best for your child. We would suggest you go with your gut feeling on this one, remembering that the wider the brim, the more sun will be blocked. Additionally, a brim with a downward slope will increase the sun protective ability of the hat.
Unless you know your child has a problem with a chin strap, we would suggest a chin strap to keep the hat on in the wind and when at play. If the hat you choose comes with a unwanted chin strap you can always cut it off or remove it.
So now, how do we get your child to wear a protective sun hat?
Choosing a Sun Hat to Fit your Outdoor Adventure
Since the face, ears and neck are three of the most common areas that can develop skin cancer, a high-quality hat is important for all of your outdoor activities. We have broken down what to look for in a hat based on activity so your family can enjoy all your outdoor adventures.
Hiking
To stay protected from the sun’s rays, choose a hat with a wide brim to shield the face, neck and ears. A hat that is breathable, water-resistant and stain-resistant such as the Adventure Hat can see you through almost any warm-weather scenario you may face on the trail. If rain is a possibility, a hat that protects from the sun while also being breathable and waterproof like the Ultra Adventure Storm Hat can keep you comfortable and dry without the need for extra gear. For the kiddos, you’ll also want to look for a hat with kid-friendly features such as the Kids’ Play Hat, which provides a breakaway chinstrap and customizable sizing band that grows with your child.
So now, how do we get your child to wear a protective sun hat?
Choosing a Sun Hat to Fit your Outdoor Adventure
Since the face, ears and neck are three of the most common areas that can develop skin cancer, a high-quality hat is important for all of your outdoor activities. We have broken down what to look for in a hat based on activity so your family can enjoy all your outdoor adventures.
Hiking
To stay protected from the sun’s rays, choose a hat with a wide brim to shield the face, neck and ears. A hat that is breathable, water-resistant and stain-resistant such as the Adventure Hat can see you through almost any warm-weather scenario you may face on the trail. If rain is a possibility, a hat that protects from the sun while also being breathable and waterproof like the Ultra Adventure Storm Hat can keep you comfortable and dry without the need for extra gear. For the kiddos, you’ll also want to look for a hat with kid-friendly features such as the Kids’ Play Hat, which provides a breakaway chinstrap and customizable sizing band that grows with your child.
Pool/Beach
Whether at the pool or the beach, there are few things better than enjoying the water on a hot day. Since fun in the water usually translates to more exposed skin, choosing a hat with an extra wide brim along with a UPF 50+ rating can offer extra protection. Check out the adult Beach Hat or the Kids’ Shoreline Hat from Sunday Afternoons to add some style to your outdoor water adventure while also staying protected. It’s also important to consider the harmful glare of the sun off of the water’s surface. Choose a hat with a dark underbrim, such as the Latitude Hat, to reduce glare and help protect your eyes from unnecessary sun exposure. This hat has the added features of Sunglass Lock™ to keep sunglasses in place along with a Reverse Split Brim™ so you can pack it small and flat into your beach bag.
Playing at the Park
As kids head back to school, after-school and weekend trip to playgrounds, parks and farmers markets are some great ways to burn off the extra energy. Stay protected with a hat that not only protects against the sun’s rays but also packs away easily so you can bring it with you wherever you go. The Sun Dancer Hat packs flat and even has a ponytail-friendly opening. For children, the Kids’ Fun Bucket Hat has a crushable brim, making it easy to stuff in a backpack or diaper bag. Both of these styles are water-resistant and breathable on top of having a UPF rating of 50+. If a ball cap is more your style, look for an option that is both breathable and lightweight while still carrying the UPF 50+ sun protective rating such as the Impulse Cap.
Do you have a favorite hat you love to use for your family adventures? welcome contact aungcrown to custom your own family hats.
Whether at the pool or the beach, there are few things better than enjoying the water on a hot day. Since fun in the water usually translates to more exposed skin, choosing a hat with an extra wide brim along with a UPF 50+ rating can offer extra protection. Check out the adult Beach Hat or the Kids’ Shoreline Hat from Sunday Afternoons to add some style to your outdoor water adventure while also staying protected. It’s also important to consider the harmful glare of the sun off of the water’s surface. Choose a hat with a dark underbrim, such as the Latitude Hat, to reduce glare and help protect your eyes from unnecessary sun exposure. This hat has the added features of Sunglass Lock™ to keep sunglasses in place along with a Reverse Split Brim™ so you can pack it small and flat into your beach bag.
Playing at the Park
As kids head back to school, after-school and weekend trip to playgrounds, parks and farmers markets are some great ways to burn off the extra energy. Stay protected with a hat that not only protects against the sun’s rays but also packs away easily so you can bring it with you wherever you go. The Sun Dancer Hat packs flat and even has a ponytail-friendly opening. For children, the Kids’ Fun Bucket Hat has a crushable brim, making it easy to stuff in a backpack or diaper bag. Both of these styles are water-resistant and breathable on top of having a UPF rating of 50+. If a ball cap is more your style, look for an option that is both breathable and lightweight while still carrying the UPF 50+ sun protective rating such as the Impulse Cap.
Do you have a favorite hat you love to use for your family adventures? welcome contact aungcrown to custom your own family hats.