Dressing your toddler for summer: the best toddler shoes and clothes for the sun

Dressing your toddler in summer clothing comes with its own set of challenges.

• You want to keep them covered from the sun – but also make sure they keep cool
• You want toddler shoes that last – but don’t cost you a fortune
• You want them to be comfy – and you want to feel comfortable with what they are wearing

Here is our guide to summer wear for toddlers that will try to answer all of your questions.

Toddler summer clothing

As the temperature starts to rise, toddlers are at a much greater risk of overheating than we are. 

With everything an adventure at this age, and so much to explore, toddlers do not even consider that it may be time to take a break or cool down with a drink in the shade.

Regardless of what your toddler is wearing it is important that you keep an eye on the time and plan their day for them. Make sure you allow for plenty of breaks from the sun but don’t feel you have to be stuck inside all day in the lovely weather: with a great summer toddler wardrobe there’s no reason to miss out on outdoor fun.

 As long as you choose summer wear for your toddler that provides as much coverage and UV protection as possible, and you follow a good summer skincare routine, you can get out there and enjoy the sun with your little one as much as you like.

Buying a toddler sunhat and sunglasses 

When buying a sunhat for your little one pick one with a fairly large, three-inch brim. This will provide enough shade for their angelic face and also help protect their ears and the back of their neck. 

A classic wide-brimmed, cotton sunhat, that ties under the chin to keep it in place, is perfect. Do be prepared to compromise, however. The most important thing is to find a hat they love so much that they will keep it on. 

It is worth spending a bit more on the sunglasses you buy. Anything too cheap is highly unlikely to offer protection against at least 99% of those harmful UV rays that you seek.

Looking after their feet

A good pair of comfortable toddler shoes to cover their feet combined with a pair of toddler sandals will be all you need to keep them cool and safe this summer.

A waterproof toddler sandal made of quick-drying fabric with a flexible sole is perfect for splashing in and out of the sea or playing in the garden with the paddling pool. Don’t forget to rub sun cream regularly into those exposed toes when they are barefoot or in sandals.

It’s also a good idea to make sure they have a more robust shoe choice because their feet need to be strongly supported while they grow. Ensure the shoes they wear have sufficient sweat-wicking material to keep them comfortable. The ASICS GEL-QUANTUM™ 90 2 PS toddler trainer has a mesh upper that provides excellent support and airflow.

Choosing the most suitable summer clothes for your toddler 

The best clothes that toddlers can wear on a hot summer’s day are those that are made from 100% lightweight cotton. These will let air in to cool them down, while also allowing sweat to evaporate after they have been running around.

In addition, if you make sure to pick tight weave cotton clothes you will be helping to block as many of those harmful sun's rays as possible. A quick way to check the protection offered by clothes is to hold them up towards a strong light or the sun: the less light that comes through, the better. 

When picking clothes to wear for the day ahead, long sleeves and trousers made from a cool material will offer more protection than tees and shorts. Whatever you opt for, however, don’t forget to apply toddler-friendly sunscreen regularly throughout the day on any skin that remains showing.

Covering up at the pool or beach

Beach clothes for toddlers should include coverups for when they are out of the water. Rash vests are body-hugging tops made from quick-drying fabrics that are perfect for fun at the beach. They are available with built-in sun protection: look for a UPF of at least 30, which means that only 1/30th of the sun’s UV rays can pass through. 

Washing in protection 

It is true that dressing your toddler in dark clothes will block more of the sun’s rays. However, dark clothes will also absorb all that heat, rather than reflect it away as lighter clothes do.

There is one way you can have the best of both worlds: cooler clothes and more protection. When you next wash your toddler’s lighter clothes you can include a formula that washes 30 SPF sunscreen into fabrics.

Stay safe, stay cool, stay happy

With the right clothes for your toddler this summer you can both stay safe, stay cool and stay happy. Enjoy the sun.