The best toddler swimsuits with UPF
UPF clothing is the most reliable sun protection for under-2-year-olds. Here are five toddler swimsuits that fit, dry fast, and earn their UPF rating.
Travel · Sun Safety
TL;DR
UPF 50+ swim clothing blocks 98% of UVA and UVB. For under-6-month babies, the AAP recommends sun-protective clothing instead of sunscreen, and for older babies it should be the first line of defense. Look for UPF 50+ rated suits with long sleeves, full back coverage, and zip access for easy bathroom transitions. Coolibar, UV Skinz, Snapper Rock, Hanna Andersson, and Cat & Jack are our five picks across budgets.
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Why UPF clothing matters for toddlers
Sunscreen for under-6-month babies is generally not recommended by the AAP. Their skin is too thin and absorbs ingredients differently. The right approach is shade plus sun-protective clothing.
For toddlers over 6 months, sunscreen is fine on exposed skin, but reapplication is a moving target. A UPF 50+ rash guard covers 60% of the body all day with zero reapplication. It is more reliable than relying on sunscreen alone.
UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) is the textile version of SPF. The rating measures how much UV the fabric blocks:
- UPF 15 to 24 = good (93% to 96% UV blocked)
- UPF 25 to 39 = very good (96% to 97.4% UV blocked)
- UPF 40 to 50+ = excellent (97.5%+ UV blocked)
What to look for
- UPF 50+ rating. Look for the actual label or certification, not "sun protective" marketing language.
- Full sleeves and full leg coverage. Long sleeves and shorts to the knee, or a full one-piece.
- Zip back or front access. Critical for diaper-age toddlers.
- Chlorine-resistant fabric. Polyester or PBT, not nylon. Nylon degrades in chlorine.
- Quick dry. Most quality UPF fabric dries in 15 minutes.
- Snug fit. A loose suit lets in water, sand, and lets more UV through stretched fabric.
The five suits we tested
1. Coolibar Toddler Long Sleeve One-Piece ($45 to $55)
The best-fitting, best-rated UPF swimsuit we tested. UPF 50+, zip back, four-way stretch, dries in 12 minutes. Available in long-sleeve and short-sleeve, with or without a hood.
The price stings. The build quality justifies it. Holds up through two summers of regular pool use.
2. UV Skinz Toddler Full-Body Swimsuit ($30)
The mid-priced winner. UPF 50+, comes in dozens of prints, zip front for easy bathroom access. The cut runs a little snug — order true to size, not down.
Especially good for kids who hate getting dressed when wet. The zip front works better than a back zip when you are half-dry on a pool deck.
3. Snapper Rock Long Sleeve One-Piece ($35)
The favorite of swim lesson instructors we asked. UPF 50+, very stretchy, fits a wide range of body shapes. Slightly higher chlorine resistance than the others. Excellent for daily lesson use.
4. Hanna Andersson Rash Guard Suit ($35 to $45)
The "looks like a regular outfit" pick. UPF 50+, but the cut and prints are more grown-up. Some kids who refuse to wear a swimsuit will wear a Hanna Andersson rash guard.
Sizing runs a little long. Worth ordering down if your child is between sizes.
5. Cat & Jack Long Sleeve Swimsuit (Target, $15 to $20)
The budget pick. UPF 50, snug fit, dries fast. Holds up for one season of regular use, two if you wash carefully. Best for the kid who is between sizes and growing fast — buy two and don't worry about wear.
Build a complete sun-day kit
Suit, hat, swim diapers, sunscreen — get the full list tailored to your toddler's age and climate.
Try the registry builderHow to layer sun protection
A swimsuit alone is not full sun protection.
- UPF 50+ suit covers the body.
- Wide-brim UPF hat covers the head and face.
- UV-rated sunglasses cover the eyes (for cooperative toddlers).
- Mineral sunscreen on exposed skin — face below the hat, hands, feet. Zinc oxide 6%+ is the safer choice for sensitive toddler skin.
- Reapply sunscreen every 80 minutes or after toweling off.
- Take shade breaks every hour. Even with UPF clothes, sun exposure adds up.
Care for UPF clothing
UPF fabric loses some of its rating with wear, sun exposure, and chlorine. To keep your suit at UPF 50+:
- Rinse with fresh water after every pool day.
- Wash on cold, hang dry. Hot water and tumble drying break down the fibers.
- Don't use bleach. Reduces UPF rating by 30% per wash.
- Replace at end of season. Or sooner if the fabric goes thin or sheer when stretched.
UPF myths to ignore
A few things you may have heard that are not true:
- "A white t-shirt is the same as UPF clothing." No. A wet white cotton t-shirt has a UPF of about 3. Specialized UPF fabric is dyed and woven for blocking UV.
- "UPF wears out after one season." Quality UPF suits hold their rating for 25 to 40 washes. That is one to two full seasons.
- "Dark colors block UV better." Color matters less than weave density. A tight white weave can block as much UV as a loose black weave.
- "You don't need sunscreen with UPF clothing." You do need sunscreen on uncovered skin.
Newborn sun reminder. The AAP recommends keeping babies under 6 months out of direct sunlight entirely. UPF clothing helps for unavoidable sun exposure, but shade and a stroller canopy come first.
The bottom line
A $30 UV Skinz or $20 Cat & Jack UPF suit, plus a wide-brim hat, will give your toddler more reliable sun protection than any sunscreen routine. Layer the suit with mineral sunscreen on exposed skin, take shade breaks, and you have done the hard work of keeping a baby safe in the sun.