Kids Sunglasses: Protect Their Eyes in Style

Two children wearing sunglasses with one in blue frames and the other in black frames.

Sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement for cute and trendy Instagram kids. They’re also a necessity for little one because of the sensitivity of their developing eyes. While children’s sunglasses don’t need to be expensive, they do need to have certain criteria to make sure their eyes are getting the best protection. Below are our recommendations of what you should look for when shopping for your child’s next pair of sunglasses.

Excited child wearing sunglasses with a dinosaur grabber toy amidst bubbles.

100% UVA and UVB Protection

Research shows that excess sunlight exposure when younger can increase the likelihood of cataracts developing later in life. So, it’s not surprising that one of the most important things to look for in sunglasses for children is 100% UVA and UVB protection, or UV 400. This is especially important for kids with light-colored eyes who may be even more sensitive to UV rays.

Not all sunglasses are created equal, so it’s always important to always read the tags before purchasing to make sure they have the right protection. All of Zenni’s sunglasses for children and adults have UV protection already built in. In order to get 100% UV protection, select from 1.57, Polycarbonate, Trivex®, 1.67 or 1.74 lens materials.

Child wearing sunglasses holding a wooden spoon, appearing to sing or speak.

Lens Tint and Color Guide

Adding a tint to any pair of glasses can be fun, especially for kids. Tint colors such as amber, brown, green, and gray not only add an extra layer of “cool,” but also sharpen vision in bright or overcast conditions. Tints also greatly reduce glare and are great for outdoor sports like biking, baseball, and winter skiing.

Amber tint is a great option for kids who are running and playing on lawns, since brown or amber tints provide high contrast on grass. Green tint is good for fishing, and gray is a good option for water sports.

Person wearing sunglasses and gray t-shirt, holding a basketball with a smile on their face.

Choosing The Right Lens

When choosing sunglass lenses for kids, you want them to be strong and durable to keep up with their high activity levels. We highly recommend an impact resistant lens like Trivex®. As a premium material, Trivex®  is 10% lighter than polycarbonate. Zenni offers Tinted Trivex®, which is a superior impact-resistance lens designed for all-day wear in the sun.

For ease and functionality, a popular lens option for kids are Photochromic lenses. These lenses automatically transition from clear indoors to tinted sunglasses outdoors, so there’s no need to worry about your child switching between two pairs of glasses. Zenni offers 1.59 Polycarbonate Photochromic lenses that provide impact resistance while transitioning from clear to dark.

Toddler wearing colorful, geometric-patterned sunglasses with dark lenses.

Picking Out The Right Fit

When picking out a pair of sunglasses for your kid(s), you want to make sure you are getting the right size glasses. If this is their first pair, you can get a good estimate by selecting a size based on age (check out our chart here). If you want more accuracy, measure the width of a pair of sunglasses that already fits them well.

At Zenni, we especially love our durable kid’s flexible frames that are constructed out of one piece of plastic and come with a strap for a snug fit. If your child has skin sensitivities to certain materials (which can be common), choose a frame made from a hypoallergenic material like acetate or stainless steel.

Now that you have all of the information on choosing the best shades, head to Zenni and turn any pair of our kids glasses into sunglasses so you can protect little ones eyes while they have fun in the sun!