How to Get Your Little One to Wear Their Sunglasses
Kids eyes need protecting, even more so than adults. Most of us wear sunglasses as a cute accessory, to keep hair off our faces, or to protect our eyes from glare. What we don’t realise is that our kids’ eyes are generally getting three times more annual sun exposure than ours, and their young eyes can’t shield from harmful UV rays as effectively. So, it’s really important to get them to keep those sunnies on to protect their eyes from potential problems now and later in life. That’s where we come in!
We’ve all been there, the battle of trying to get your child to keep their sunglasses on is one we have all experienced. To help you get your little one excited to wear their shades, we have put together our top Babiators tips for getting kids to wear sunglasses. (But let’s be honest – who wouldn’t want to wear a pair of awesome Babiators?!)
Tip 1. Pick some fun frames
It’s no secret that Babiators shades are not only practical and protective, but also super stylish. We have a wide range of awesome colours and shapes to choose from including Totally Turquoise, Think Pink and Mint to Be.
You could even get them to pick out their own pair, so they can get excited about their sunnies and choose their favourite shape and style.
If your little fashionista wants to go for something super fun, we also have sunglasses in heart and flower frames which are sooo adorable and perfect for summer. If your little one is in their lover era and is a fan of pink and glitter (who isn’t), we have just launched Sparkle Squad, which are so cute and perfect for festival season.
Who wouldn’t want to be part of the Sparkle Squad?
Tip 2. Start young
Like with most things in the baby world, the sooner you introduce them to new things, the quicker they get used to it and won’t know any different. There’s really no such thing as too young when it comes to getting your kid to wear sunglasses. In fact, Babiators sunglasses come in sizes as young as 0-2 then go up to 3-5 and 6+.
If you introduce your little one to sunglasses as soon as you can, not only will it become natural for them to wear sunglasses when it’s sunny, they will also put up very little fuss as they grow up. It’s important to remember that the younger your baby is, the more vulnerable their eyes are to harmful UV’s. No baby under six months old should be exposed to direct sunlight, but if they are outside, even in the shade or cloudy British summer, sunnies are essential!
Tip 3. Find the right fit
Babies are fussy little fuss pots, and if they feel even slightly uncomfy, they will let you know about it. To get your little one to wear their sunglasses for long periods of time, it’s so important to find a pair that fits them right so they are comfortable.
To help you find the right fit, let’s take a look at our handy size guide.
Baby Sunglasses (0-2y)
Baby sunglasses fit most babies 6 months to 2 years. Babiators are made of a soft material that is comfortable and lightweight.
They are designed to fit kids’ faces and don’t pinch the temples or nose.
Fit will vary by child depending on head size. If you’re between sizes, we recommend ordering your child’s sunglasses a size up.
Toddler Sunglasses (3-5y)
Toddler sunglasses fit most boys and girls 3 to 5 years. Babiators are made of a soft material that is comfortable and lightweight.
They are designed to fit kids’ faces and don’t pinch the temples or nose.
Fit will vary by child depending on head size. If you’re between sizes, we recommend ordering your child’s sunglasses a size up.
Shop Toddler Sunglasses (3-5y)
Kids Sunglasses (6+)
Kids sunglasses fit most school age children 6 years and up. Babiators are made of a soft material that is comfortable and lightweight.
They are designed to fit kids’ faces and don’t pinch the temples or nose.
Fit will vary by child depending on head size.
Tip 4. Use a strap
When you have selected the right size for your little one, it may also be worth getting a sunglasses strap.
Using a strap will mean that your little one can keep their sunnies with them at all time, and if they fall off, there is no risk of them getting lost or trodden on. It also means that you can be sure the sunglasses are on properly and providing the right amount of protection for your little explorer’s young eyes.
Tip 5. Get matching
Your little one loves you more than anything, and they will love to look just like mummy or daddy. If you are having trouble getting your little one to wear their sunnies, set an example and pop yours on, with any luck they’ll want to look just as cool as you.
If you’re feeling extra cute, you could get yourself a pair that matches their Babiators, so you can be twinning in the sun!
Tip 6: Make it fun
We all love the classic ‘here comes the aeroplane’ game when trying to get your child to eat, but there are also plenty of games and fun ways you can persuade them to put their sunglasses on.
You could pretend they are super spy goggles, and if they wear them, they turn into a MI5 secret agent. Or perhaps they are magical wizard glasses, that turn them invisible when they put them on? Get creative and play to whatever it is your child loves, turn something dull to a child into something out of this world!
Tip 7: Have a little patience
Our final tip is just to remember that this won’t happen overnight. Your child will need time to adjust to their new awesome accessory and you’ll need patience to keep trying. If you both stick with it, and keep encouraging them and telling them how great they look, eventually it will become a habit. If your little one is old enough, it might be worth explaining all about eye safety, and teach them why it’s so important that they look after their eyes.
If you need a child friendly way of explaining the eyes and UVs to your kid, check out this blog.
Before you know it, you’ll have your very own Top Gun impersonator rocking their sunglasses and looking totally awesome doing it. If your child is still fussing over their new shades and trying to pull them off, try to stick with it and soon enough they will start to get used to the feeling of sunglasses on their faces. Sticking with it at the early stages will make your life so much easier later on and keep their eyes protected.
Step one to getting your child to wear sunglasses: Start shopping!
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