10 Best Toddler Bucket Hats—Because Sun Protection Can Be Adorable

At UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) 50+, this hat blocks up to 99% of UV radiation. Take that, sun! The hat is breathable and lightweight, which will hopefully help you avoid dealing with a sweaty, cranky toddler. The fabric dries quickly and is machine washable, and this hat is tried and true—its 3,456 (!) ratings on Amazon are overwhelmingly positive.

This 50+ UPF hat is reversible, so it’s really two hats in one! One of the options is white/black-and-white gingham—babies and toddlers look seriously cute in gingham, am I right? You won’t have to struggle with tying a bow on a squirming toddler with this hat—the chin strap is velcro. One reviewer wrote, “Quick dry material, can be tossed in the washing machine and hung to dry. Fits really well and my kids love the colors and print.”  

This reversible hat has some of the cutest beachy designs ever. Smiling whales! Happy little crabs! Best of all, a shark hat with a little fin on top! The hat has an adjustable chin strap (removable, in case your kid hates it), and is rated UPF 50+. One happy customer noted, “Love this hat! It stays on my son’s head and he doesn’t even try to remove it, which has been a problem in the past.”  

This product is the Cadillac of toddler bucket hats. (Fortunately, it costs a lot less.) The brim’s foam core makes it float, the rear brim is 6” long for extra protection, and the design incorporates breathable mesh. The UPF 50+ fabric repels stains, which is great for stain-magnet toddlers. Whoever came up with the names for the prints was clearly in a poetic mood; they include “butterfly dream,” “spring bliss,” and “wild river.” 

Solid colors and a simple design mean that you can pair this hat with almost any outfit. Plus, the Nike swoosh means you can pretend your kid is a professional athlete with a sponsorship deal. The Dri-Fit fabric and UPF 40 protection are great for summer. This reviewer noted, “Chin strap works great and hat stayed in at the windy beach and lake. It has a stiffer brim so it doesn’t get floppy when wet.”  

These stylish prints will make your kid even more fashionable than some of the adults on the beach! Bonus: The fabric is recycled nylon, and the hat is Fair Trade Certified™ sewn (not that your toddler will care). If you happen to have a very specific need for a hat your toddler can wear for a trip to the farmers market, you’re in luck; the cute “Southern farm basket” design has radishes, berries, and other fruits and veggies.  

Kids grow out of clothes so quickly! (I mean, the growing part is kinda unavoidable, but it’d be nice not to have to constantly replace things.) The top of this hat is adjustable, however, so you can keep it beyond one season. It also has an adjustable chin strap with a breakaway safety clip, and the 50+ UPF fabric, which comes in tons of cute prints (including, um, deep-sea-diving kittens), repels water, and is foldable.  

This cotton twill bucket hat has a classic, no-frills design, but don’t let that fool you—the brand is apparently a favorite among celebs with kids. (While you’re at the beach with your family, you can pretend your personal chef will serve you a gourmet dinner when you get home.) The UPF 50+ fabric is soft and breathable and is dyed in the U.S.A. without harmful chemicals.

If, by some chance, your toddler needs a bucket hat AND a cowboy hat, look no further. This hat has snaps on each side so that you can fold up the brim and change the style. The UPF 50+ hat also has an adjustable drawstring, adjustable chin strap, and a breathable lining. This reviewer wrote, “This hat has been a real winner for us. Now instead of fighting me, my son asks for his hat and I can tell he likes having his eyes shielded from the sun.”

The wide band above the brim of this hat and the “dark khaki” shade totally give this hat an Indiana Jones vibe. (It also comes in several other colors.) This UPF 50+ hat will keep your toddler’s face and neck safe from sunburn, whether they’re searching for Ark of the Covenant or playing at the park. The mesh side vents keep your little one cool while the drawstring gives just the right fit. A couple of the reviewers mention that they wish this were available in adult sizes!