A Mom's Guide to Buying Safe Sunglasses for Kids (Plus 12 On-Trend Pairs)

It’s summer, so shopping for your kids will most likely entail a new pair of shades. But do kids need to wear sunglasses? According to The Vision Council, “Solar penetration in the eyes of young children can set the stage for serious vision damage later in life. By the time an individual turns 18, he or she will already have acquired nearly 25 percent of their lifetime UV exposure.”

No doubt, it’s crucial to protect our kids’ eyes from harmful rays, just we do our own.

With such a variety of sunglasses for kids on the market these days, it’s important to look for these key features in sunglasses for kids:

First and foremost, lenses that provide 100 percent UV protection – Look closely at the label. If it simply says “blocks UV rays” without specifying the actual percentage of UV radiation the lenses absorb, move on. Good sunglasses should provide 100 percent UV protection—no exceptions.
Impact-resistant lenses – Active kids will break their sunglasses. Glasses made from polycarbonate are 10x more impact-resistant than standard plastic lenses.
Close-fitting frames – the larger the lenses, the more protection they’ll provide. Large-brimmed hats will up the protection factor, too—have your kids wear both for ultimate protection.

information via allaboutvision.com

Your kids don’t have to skimp on style, either! Here are a twelve sunglasses finds for boys and girls (from babies, to toddlers, to the older set) offering complete 100% UVA-UVB protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Check them out in the slideshow.

More Summer Gear for Kids:

A Mom's Guide to Buying Safe Sunglasses for Kids (Plus 12 On-Trend Pairs)

The Retro Kid

Go hipster vintage with these Tortoise Newborn Unisex Sunglasses by Circo for just $5 at Target.
The Cool Cat

These Black Cat Eye Sunglasses by Oshkosh.com, $7, are retro chic and cool. Offering 100% UVA-UVB protection, these lenses are also shatterproof, and the rubber lenses are even comfortable for babies.
The Sporty Kid

These Lime Green Sporty Lenses by OshKosh.com, $7, offer a pop of summertime color and loads of cool and come complete with 100% UVA-UVB protection.
Ombre Eyes

These Ombre Cat Eye Sunglasses by Oshkosh.com, $7, offer sleek sophistication that adds the perfect touch to a slew of summertime outfits. They're durable, offer 100% UVA-UVB protection, and feature shatterproof lenses. They're comfortable for kids of all ages.
The Aviator

These Aviator Style Sunglasses by Carters.com are fresh and fashionable at just $5. Your kid will be protected from the sun and the elements while out and about.
The Beach Babe

These Carters.com Floral Sunglasses, $5, are perfect for the beach or any summertime activity.
The Chill Kid

Carter's Black Wayfarer Sunglasses, $5, are super sleek and heavy on style and sun protection.
The Newborn Diva

These Mint/Pink Newborn Sunglasses by Circo, sold at Target for just $5, offer key protection for babies born in the summer.
The Flower Child

These Toddler Flower Shaped Sunglasses by Circo, $5, from Target are perfect for keeping out harmful rays in a fun, playful way.
The Pool Boy

Toddler Boys' Sunglasses with Strap in Navy, $7, from Target are perfect for sports and swimming.
The Sporty Kid

Blaze Polarized Sports Sunglasses by RealKidsShades.com, $29.95, are durable and unbreakable, and offer a cool wrap style is that is both stylish and practical, providing comprehensive eye protection. P2 Lens technology provides both polarized and polycarbonate lenses.
The Pink Lover

These Naomi frames by Julbo USA, $40, are stylish and offer key sun protection. Built with all the quality of adult sunglasses, these frames offer real protection for young eyes and curved temples to keep them securely in place. Bonus: The large lenses provide maximum coverage.