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Children's Sun Protection Clothing UK 2025
Image Credit: Kelli McClintock
I have a friend who lived in Australia for quite a few years; I must admit that I used to think that her tendency to slather her children in a thick layer of sun cream and her insistence on hats on even the most overcast day a trifle over the top.
The Cancer Council of Australia have campaigned for decades to persuade the Aussies to ‘Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat’ as Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world.
However I believed that in the UK’s more temperate climate perhaps such rigor was unnecessary.
But according to Cancer Research UK, there are still over 17,500 new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK every year, that's 48 every day, and the number of cases has more than doubled since the early 80s.
Over 2,000 people die from skin cancer each year in the UK – more than in Australia, even though Australia has more cases of the disease.
So with that in mind, wouldn't you like to be able to let your kids play out on the beach, in the park or in the garden, safe from the sun's rays? To know that they will not get sunburnt playing sports, or even just on a long walk?
Sun protection is vitally important for children's delicate skin, as sunburn is not only painful and unpleasant or children, it is thought to increase the likelihood of skin cancer developing when they are older.
Sun protection clothing, in conjuction with a high factor suncream can protect children's whole bodies from from sunburn, allowing them to enjoy their time on the sun.
Best Sun Protection Clothing in the UK
This type of sun protection clothing is particularly useful when travelling to very hot countries on holiday, or those who take part in outdoor sports such as surfing. It is also perfect for a day at the seaside, walking or just hanging out in the garden!
- Suntogs
- Mountain Warehouse
- UV Fashions
- Amazon
- Equatorsun
- Sunsibility
- Fledglings
Fledglings is a non-profit shop that helps children and adults with additional needs by supplying products and equipment that help with everyday challenges.
They offer adaptive sun protection clothing, some of which is made to order. Their range includes swimwear, wetsuits, sun ponchos, trousers, tracksuits, tops and shorts.
Suntogs have an extensive range of UPF 50+ UV clothing, UV sun suits and UV swimwear, sun hats, summer hats, sunscreens, beach shelters and much more.
They cater for all the family from babies to grown ups, offering the best value and protection for your family.
Mountain Warehouse have a selection of kids rash vests, wetsuits and UV swimwear. They also offer beach shoes, swimear and kids swim vests.
They also have changing towels and waterproof changing robes to save those all-important minutes on the beach!
UV Fashions is a Netherlands based company that sells Australian quality sun protection clothing all over Europe. They specialise in all the big brand names including like Snapper Rock, Cabana Life, Coolibar, Billabong, O’Neill, Babiators, Beach and Bandits, Easyswim, Roxy as well as their own brand Juja, which is made from made from recycled PET bottles.
They have ranges for men, women and children including swimwear, clothing, sun tents and high factor suncreams.
The ubiquitous Amazon have big brand name children's sun protection clothing from the likes of Zoggs, Lion In The Sun, Bright Bots, Sun Busters, The Beach Factory and Surfit.
You can of course get all your sunscreen too as well as pop-up beach tents and even parasols.
Equatorsun sell Australian UV protective leisure and swimwear for babies,children and adults. Max. protection UPF50+ (tested by ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency).
Their range includes swimsuits, board shorts, surf shirts, hats and more. Equatorsun supports and donates a proportion of its profits to the Melanoma Foundation UK.
Sunsibility aim is to provide comfortable UV protective products, allowing you to enjoy the sun safely.
Children's range runs from toddlers up to teenage wear with funky tracksuits, ponchos and skirtshorts such innovative designs, the kids won't even notice they are wearing SPF 50.
Babies and Children are particularly at risk and need extra protection from the sun because their skin is delicate and easily damaged.The damage is not immediately obvious because skin cancer can take years to develop.
But children who are exposed to too much sun now are storing up problems for the future. Sunburn in childhood can double your risk of skin cancer.
Use The SunSmart Code
The SunSmart code can help you protect your skin this summer:
- Spend time in the shade between 11 and 3
- Make sure you never burn
- Aim to cover up with a hat, t-shirt and sunglasses
- Remember to take extra care with children
- Then use factor 30+ sunscreen or higher
High factor sun cream for children is available from all good chemists or online.
Post this reminder to always use sun protection on your wall this summer with our Sun Safety Colouring Picture - Stay Safe in the Sun with this free printable reminder on how to stay safe with a hat, suncream and protective clothing.