5 Kids’ Sunglasses: Flexible, Customizable, UV-Protected Lenses

Here’s the coolest thing about kids: They’re completely unique individuals.

Long before kids start trying to fit in, they stand out for their one-of-a-kind personalities and their unabashed opinions. And the kids we know have a lot of opinions. So when it comes to kids’ sunglasses, you can be sure your little one will have something to say about them.

Maybe you have one of those kids who love wearing their shades, and you can’t convince them to take the glasses off — even when you’re indoors. Or maybe your kid has the opposite opinion. And no matter what you do (or how bright it is outside), you can’t get them to wear shades for more than 30 seconds.

Well, we’re here to help you convince your kid that sun protection is super cool. We’ll explain the essential features that every pair of kids’ sunglasses should have. Plus, we’ll share five styles that are as unique as your kid, like cartoon character designs. And don’t worry — at Pair, you can select options with durability so your child’s eyewear lasts longer than 10 seconds.

What to Look for in Kids’ Sunglasses

You can choose a pair of high-quality kids’ sunglasses (without a scary subtotal) by knowing which features to look for as you shop. Use these tips to find glasses made from comfortable and lightweight materials that provide the sun protection your child needs.

Lightweight and Durable Frames

If you want your kid to actually wear their sunglasses, then you need to choose a comfortable pair. Look for frames made from a lightweight material. The lighter the glasses, the less pressure they’ll put on your little one’s little nose and cheeks. (This will help prevent those tell-tale indentations on their nose and cheeks, which are a sign that their glasses are too heavy or too big for their face. Measure your kid for the right sunglasses size for a more comfortable fit.)

Our favorite lightweight glasses frames are made from cellulose acetate. This bio-based material comes from plant cellulose and is extremely lightweight and flexible. Flexible frames are also more durable so they can keep up with active kids.

Also look for polycarbonate lenses, which are lighter weight than glass lenses and less likely to break. Spring-loaded hinges on the temple (or arm) of the glasses are also more comfortable for long-term wear. They allow the glasses to flex slightly so they’re less likely to put pressure on the side of your child’s head.

UV Protection

The most important feature of any pair of sunglasses is UV protection. Your child’s sunglasses should filter out 100% of harmful rays, including both UVA and UVB rays.

UV protection is essential because these rays can penetrate the eye and reach the retina at the back of the eye. The retina is where vision cells reside. Once vision cells are damaged, a portion of our vision becomes damaged, too, as these cells never regenerate.

We’re born with the exact number of vision cells we will ever have, which is why toddler sunglasses aren’t just cute but necessary. When your child starts going outdoors, you must protect their eyes from UV rays.

In addition to UVA and UVB protection, look for children’s sunglasses with polarized lenses. Choosing kids polarized sunglasses helps reduce glare, which can make it easier for your child to see on sunny days and reduce the amount of squinting they have to do. Reflective lenses can also help reduce glare. And since reflective glasses completely hide your kids’ eyes, they can even make kids feel like secret agents.

Polarized sunglasses are especially important for kids who participate in sports on the water, in the snow, or in the sand. Without proper protection, reflective surfaces can make it difficult to see and cause your child to develop corneal burns from glare. Make sure they have polarized lenses before they hit the slopes, the waves, or a beach volleyball game.

A Splash of Fun

Comfort and UV protection are essential to any good pair of sunglasses. And for adults who are outside on a sunny day, those features might be all you need. But hey, even adults love a little style. (That’s right, adults! We see you over there in your cat-eye and aviator sunglasses.) And for kids, that little something extra can make the difference between sunglasses they love and sunglasses they leave at home.

So, make sure your kids’ sunnies come with a splash of fun. You can choose frames in novelty shapes or their favorite color. At Pair, we make our eyewear more fun with snap-on Top Frames that completely change the look and color of your child’s glasses. So, your kiddo can rock a pair of glittery sunglasses one day or rep their favorite Disney characters the next.

The coolest part for parents? Your child’s face and head are likely to grow only a centimeter every year after age five. That means your kids’ frames can last longer than a year!

When your child decides they want a different style, simply hop over to the Pair website and let them pick a new Top Frame (or two or three) to update their look with their current interests. It’s the easiest and most aesthetically pleasing way to stay within your vision care budget.

It’s fun, it’s fashionable, and it will definitely keep your kid interested in their sunglasses.

5 Pairs of Kids’ Sunglasses for Brighter Days

These five pairs of kids’ sunglasses are made with lightweight and durable acetate frames and spring-loaded hinges. So, they can stand up to kids’ backpacks and weekend soccer practice.

You can choose from six different frame colors — black, tortoise, blue tortoise, clear, blue clear, and pink clear — and from seven different lens colors. Your kid can choose the best combo to match their big opinions.

All of these children’s sunglasses come with polarized lenses that filter out 100% of UVA and UVB rays, so you can be sure your kid is getting the best eye protection. You can also get these styles with prescription lenses or blue light blocking lenses. And all of these Base Frames are compatible with our snap on Top Frames so your kiddo can change their mind — and their style — as often as they want.

Before we start the countdown, remember that all of these sunglasses can be custom-ordered with your child’s prescription needs. Simply bring their prescription to our website, and we can create a pair of single or multi-vision lenses to fit any of our sunglasses styles.

1. The Cedro

Made for 5-year-olds to 9-year-olds, The Cedro is a small frame designed for small faces. These rectangular glasses are super cute on round faces, and they’re comfortable for kids with high cheekbones. The Cedro will make your little one look like they’re ready to play a game of spy-vs.-spy or head off on an intergalactic space mission.

2. The Serra

Another pair for 5- to 9-year-olds, The Serra has a classic, round shape that will make your child look like they just stepped off the red carpet. This frame never goes out of style and is perfect for trend-setting tykes. Its fashion-forward design has made The Serra a best seller among our smallest sunglass connoisseurs.

3. The Otero

The Otero is designed for slightly older children ranging from 8 to 12 years old. These square frames make chic sports sunglasses, so they’re the ideal sunnies for your on-the-go kiddo. They’re a comfortable and versatile pair for your kid to wear on all of your family’s outdoor adventures.

4. The Twain

For eyewear that your kid can wear for a long time to come, The Twain are designed to fit children ages 9 and up. People with small faces can wear them into adulthood, so it will take awhile for your child to outgrow this pair. Plus, the retro shape is sure to stay in style — even if your kid’s favorite unicorn T-shirt doesn’t.

5. The Larkin

Another bestseller, The Larkin has a retro, rectangular shape that’s a great fit for kids aged 9 and up. It’s another pair that can grow with your child since this small frame fits older kids, as well as adults with small faces. And these sunnies look just as good with a sports uniform as they do with a suit jacket and skinny tie. So, this style can evolve with your child’s evolving opinions.

Afraid your child will lose their Top Frames or slide them into an already overstuffed drawer? Check out our Wall Hanger. It’s a fun and easy way to store your child’s Top Frames so they’re never lost and always safe.

Our Wall Hanger contains magnets and can hold up to five or six pairs of Top Frames. It also rolls up for simple (and scratch-resistant) transportation from one place to another.

Sunglasses (Almost) as Cool as Your Kid

You need a pair of sunglasses to protect your child’s eyes, but finding the right pair is about more than just sun protection. Kids’ sunglasses that make your little one feel confident and cool will set them up for a lifetime of eye health — because when kids love their sunglasses, they actually wear them.

At Pair Eyewear, our kids’ sunglasses are more like fun-in-the-sun glasses. You can combine them with snap-on Top Frames in kid-friendly prints, like Harry Potter, Marvel Comics, or Sesame Street. Simply add your child’s favorite Top Frames before you checkout.

Your kid can have as much fun playing with their sunnies as they do with their favorite toy. So, once your kid gets their Pair, you can move onto the next battle — like getting them to wear sunscreen.

And yes, all of our kids’ sunglasses come with premium sun-protection features, including polarized lenses with 100% UVA and UVB protection. And you have the option to add prescription lenses or blue light protection.

It’s all the features you need to keep your child’s eyes healthy. But they don’t need to know that — all they need to know is that these sunglasses are sooooo cool!

Sources:

Sustainability - Cellulose acetate | Daisel

What Are Polarized Lenses For? | American Academy of Ophthalmology

Ultraviolet (UV) protection | AOA

Corneal Flash Burns: Symptoms & Treatment | Cleveland Clinic