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“My 4-month-old loves it and leaves it on, so it must be comfortable.” — a very pleased parent

Hello, fellow wranglers of tiny humans! I'm Heather, BuzzFeed editor and mom of two kiddos under the age of 4. I've been doing this "shopping for baby hats that'll protect my kid from the sun" game for a handful of years now, so I'm here to do the heavy lifting for you (and lots of other parenting problem-solving areas!) From a tried-and-true Carhartt baseball hat and a splurge-worthy safari-styled option from Patagonia to an adorable wide-brim sun hat from RuffleButts, you're sure to find the perfect thing to spare their noggin while they have a blast playing outside all summer.

You can't go wrong with a tried-and-true classic like Carhartt! My son (pictured above, left) has had one since he was a baby and he (as of this writing) is 4 now! We've continued to replace them as he's outgrown them — they're a staple in his wardrobe! They protect his head and eyes from the sun, and he's happy to keep it on his head. In the fall and winter, he wears a Carhartt beanie, so his head is pretty much covered by this brand at all times — literally. Need I say more?

Promising review: "Great comfort and value for money! The fit is perfect for my child, and the material's softness makes it comfortable to wear all day. It stays in place without being too tight, and the quality feels durable. Definitely a great buy!" —Nakia

Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in infant and youth sizing and five styles).

This brilliant little sun hat (with built-in UPF 50+ protection) has extra coverage around the back to shield your baby's tiny ears and precious neck from the harsh sun. It also has an elastic band that adjusts the hat as their head grows, so they can wear it for years to come (something parents, like myself, love to hear!). The chin strap also makes it harder for them to pull it off, another big parenting win, but if they *do* manage to toss it (and lose it), at least the price is so good you won't feel too bad about having to order another one!

Promising review: "Loved this hat! Definitely what I was looking for. It’s very soft, fits perfectly, and doesn’t make her head sweat! I recommend you mommas buy this for your baby!!" —Gabby Baeza

Get it from Amazon for $12.59+ (available in sizes 0–24M and 2T–4T, in seven colors).

RuffleButts is a small business! My daughter was gifted one of these hats (and very cute swimsuits) when she was born, and it was absolutely darling. However, in addition to being adorable, it really did a great job of protecting her head from the sun while hanging in our yard. It has built-in UPF 50+ and is made from a very soft fabric that rolls easily for packing. It also has adjustable tie straps to keep it securely on your little one's precious little head. Not to mention it comes in a bunch of fun colors!

Promising review: "This hat is just adorable. It seems really comfortable because my daughter actually likes to wear it. It definitely helps to keep the sun out of her eyes and off her neck. The string to keep it tied doesn't bother her at all. I also love that it's swimsuit material because she can wear it with her swimsuit." —Grant Aucoin

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in sizes 0–24M, 2T–5T, 6Y–10Y, and 22 colors).

This hat is so cute! It comes from a small business, Zelda and Matilda, and can float! It also has UPF 50+ protection and is made from a lightweight, machine-washable, stain-resistant material. It also has an adjustable drawcord for the perfect fit *and* a soft chin strap (with a safety release!!!) to hopefully prevent this lovely hat from being lost at sea.

Promising review: "This adorable and comfy hat has given us a lot of use in the unforgiving Florida sun. My kid has been wearing it since she was 6 months old, and she is now 21 months old. There is plenty of adjustment left to continue wearing; however, the vibrant tie-dye pattern has definitely faded, so I plan to replace it soon. We get compliments on this hat everywhere we go!" —Bella Goth

Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in sizes 0–24M and 2T–12Y, and in 7 styles).

Green Sprouts is a small business! Can you believe this baby sun hat has over 3K 5-star reviews?! And for good reason! It's affordable, adjustable to grow with your kiddo, has a breathable liner to keep them cool and comfortable, and is machine-washable. It has a full-coverage flap to block their sensitive skin from UV rays while they play in the sun and sand *and* can be folded up easily and stashed in your diaper bag.

Promising review: "Best summer hat I have used for a baby! My 4-month-old loves it and leaves it on, so it must be comfortable. It's a soft, breathable material, very lightweight, and perfect for summer. Good for the pool; it dries quickly and well. Love that it keeps the sun out of her eyes and off her neck. The adjustable strap ensures a perfect fit every time. Would highly recommend!" —Jaime

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in sizes 0–18M, 2T–4T and four colors).

Funky Junque is a small business! This beauty has a basketweave designed for air circulation and an opening for your little one's signature ponytail — no need to wrangle them to sit still *again* to try and tame their wild mane after splashing in ocean waves.

BuzzFeed Home and Garden Editor Sally Elshorafa has this hat for her kiddo! She said, "My daughter's hair is in a ponytail or pigtails every single day, so wearing traditional hats has been challenging. When I found out about these ponytail hats, I jumped at the opportunity, and I am so relieved that they fit well and that my daughter likes wearing them."

Promising review: "We bought this one for our 3-year-old daughter after buying the adult-size version for our older daughters. Our toddler has very long hair and loves to wear anything that resembles what her older sisters are wearing. We figured we might as well buy her a hat that's super cute and functional. No matter what hairstyle she's rocking for the day, her hat fits perfectly without us having to redo her bun, braid, or ponytail. Love it!!" —Jane Twain 

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in over 50 colors and patterns and in packs of one or two).

Dare I say I wish this hat came in adult sizes? It's so...stylish!? In addition to being cuter than cute, this beach hat will help protect your tot from the sun thanks to its wide rim and 100% cotton material that is said to block up 95% of UVa and UVB rays. It has an adjustable drawstring so you can make the fit *just right*, as well as a chin strap to keep it in place on a windy day.

Promising review: "These are adorable! My baby used these during the summer when she was 3 months old and fit her up until like 7 months old. I had to size her up this summer, now that she’s older. Super easy to use and adjust, and doesn’t get into her eyes like some others we’ve tried." —Emma

Get it from Amazon for $7.96+ (available in sizes 0–24M, 2T–3T, and 18 styles, in sets of two).

Nothing like a traditional baseball cap with some Disney magic to it to protect your kiddo and keep 'em looking stylish, right?! This will keep the sun out of their eyes *and* they're more likely to willingly put it on since it has their fave character stitched on the front (trust me, as a parent, I can tell you a bit of bribery goes a long way with kids). I actually just ordered this for my daughter for her birthday!

Get it from babyGap for $7.99 (originally $19.99; available in kids sizes XS–L) — also available in a Mickey Mouse style

Hello, little cutie bucket hat with EARS!!! You're absolutely going to want to have this hat on hand, whether you have major plans to hit the beach, pool, or park this spring/summer. It'll also keep your kiddo's face/neck covered even if you're just going for a stroll around the neighborhood! It has a soft hand-tied chin strap to keep it safely snug on their head and is made from a lightweight fabric to help keep them cool and comfortable. And, duh, the ears!!!!!

Promising review: "The CUTEST little hat. I love it so much. My baby looks cute and it stays on his head. Sizing was correct and protected him from the sun all day." —Kimmy

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in sizes 0–24M, 2T–4T, and eight styles).

Not only will this hat protect your beach baby from the sun, but it'll also give them more than one fashion choice (because you know how much that matters to them). It's reversible! We love a 2-for-1! One side features lemons, while the other is solid blue. It's machine-washable (love) and lightweight, keeping your tot cool all day. 

Promising review: "My baby was born in May 2025, so we spent a ton of time outside during summer/fall. This hat was perfect for keeping the sun out of my baby's eyes. And since it's reversible, the hat matches with many outfits. I purchased two sizes in anticipation of summer 2026." —Chantel

Get it from Carter's for $16 (available in sizes 0–9M, 12M–24M, and three styles).

You'll pat yourself on the back for starting off with a double order of these. Whether you 1. have two tykes in need of sun protection, 2. typically lose kids' accessories almost immediately, or 3. forget things at home more often than not, you'll pat yourself on the back for starting off with a double order of these. These bucket hats are made of breathable cotton and polyester, keep your kid's head cool in the hot sun, and feature an elastic buckle in the back for an adjustable fit as your little one grows!

Promising review: "The perfect sun hat for my little one. These are lightweight, breathable, fit well, cover his entire face from the sun, and are easy to wash. I don’t worry about him wearing them in the pool because I know I can just throw them in the washing machine. Started wearing them at 9 months and still wear them now at 1 year old. They fit perfectly." —Bethany Erickson

Get them from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in sizes 0–24M, 2T–5T, 5Y–10Y, and five sets).

This fun sun hat comes in so many cute prints, you might not be able to resist ordering more than one! It has built-in UPF 50+ sun protection and a wide brim to cover little ones' faces, necks, and ears from the harsh rays (so they can focus on splashing and playing!), is quick-drying, and is chlorine-resistant! 

Promising review: "Cute hat. Definitely blocks the sun and protect sour little guy." —Patricia T.

Get it from Caden Lane for $28 (available in sizes XS–L and eight styles).

A simple floppy sun hat is exactly what you need to get through the summer with your baby or toddler in tow — and this one will certainly do the trick. No frills, bells, or whistles needed! It's made from 100% breathable cotton (with 50+ UPF protection), has an adjustable chin strap, and folds easily for packing. A no-brainer purchase!

Promising review: "Really cute sun hat! Bought for my 18-month-old granddaughter (whose head measures in the 70th percentile, so it’s not small), and it fits her perfectly. I love the adjustable feature so that it won’t blow off on windy days. It is lined, so it’s very sturdy and keeps the sun off her head. Very cute print. Worth the price." —Cynthia Powers

Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in sizes 0–24M, 2T–5T, 5Y–12Y, and nine styles).

A reliable Patagonia baby sun hat will absolutely protect your precious tot during all of their outdoor adventures! This was the first sun hat I ever got for my son (mostly because my husband loves the brand), and it truly did not disappoint. Its safari-style drape in the back thoroughly protected his neck, and the adjustable chin strap kept it in place. Plus, it's made from recycled fishing nets to help reduce ocean plastic pollution!

Promising review: "This is a great baby hat, and in all honesty, I’m a little jealous Patagonia doesn’t have these hats for adults! I will be purchasing another hat here as soon as my son has grown out of his current one." —Chad W

Get it from Patagonia for $39 (available in sizes 0–24M, 2T-5T, and five colors).

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Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

This piece is by Heather Braga, an editor on the Buzzfeed Shopping team, who covers a variety of topics including things that'll make parent's lives (hopefully) easier, exciting gadgets, cozy products (think: home goods and fashions that'll make you want to snuggle), and any magical Disney item that crosses her path. When she's not spending time (fighting for her life) with her two toddlers she's probably consuming far too much iced coffee, boppin' to Taylor Swift, adding to her TBR stack, and watching The Real Housewives.