How to Get Kids to Actually Wear Hats & Sunglasses Without the Daily Battle
Simple Sun Safety Habits that actually work for busy Aussie Families.
If you’re a parent, you probably know the struggle…
You pack the hat.
You grab the sunglasses.
You remind them 14 times before leaving the house.
And somehow the hat ends up on the ground, the sunnies disappear under the car seat, and your child is squinting directly into the Australian sun like they’re completely indestructible.
The good news?
You’re definitely not alone and sun safety doesn’t have to feel like a daily battle.
For most families, getting kids to wear hats and sunglasses consistently comes down to a few simple things:
- comfort
- routine
- accessibility
- making it feel normal from an early age
At Ombra & Sole, we speak to parents every day who say the same thing:
“My child refuses to wear hats.”
“They pull sunglasses straight off.”
“Nothing stays on!”
And honestly? That’s incredibly common.
The Key to building small, realistic sun safe habits that fit into real family life; whether you're doing school pickup, beach days, sport on weekends, playground adventures adventures or quick pram walks around the block.
Here are some simple parenting tips and tricks that can genuinely help kids wear hats and sunglasses more consistently.
Start Young (Even if they only wear them for 10 seconds)
One of the best ways to build lifelong sun safety habits for kids is to start early.
Even babies and toddlers who constantly pull hats off are still learning:
“This is something we wear outside.”
At first they may:
- chew the sunglasses
- throw the hat
- wear them upside down
- pull at them
- last approximately seven seconds before ripping them off again
That’s okay.
Practice really does make perfect. And perfect doesn’t happen overnight!
The earlier kids are exposed to hats and kids UV400 polarised sunglasses, the more familiar and normal they often become over time.
Even letting little ones simply play with their sunglasses at home helps create familiarity and comfort.
Sun protection doesn’t need to be perfect every single time - consistency matters far more.
Comfort Changes Everything
A huge reason many kids refuse hats or sunglasses is simple:
They’re uncomfortable.
Too stiff.
Too scratchy.
Too hot.
Too heavy.
Too tight around little faces.
When children feel comfortable, they’re much more likely to keep sun protection on.
That’s why choosing soft, breathable and flexible styles makes such a difference especially in the Australian climate.
At Ombra and Sole our UPF50+ hats are designed with comfort in mind using breathable fabrics and fully lined cotton interiors, helping make them softer and easier for little ones to wear all day.
The same goes for kids sunglasses:
- lightweight frames
- flexible materials
- comfortable fits
- styles designed for active family life
Because realistically?
If something annoys a child, it’s probably not staying on for long.
Let Them Choose Their Own Style
Kids love independence. One of the easiest ways to reduce resistance is letting them feel involved in the decision.
Sometimes simply allowing your child to choose, can completely change their attitude towards wearing them:
- their favourite colour
- the “cool” pair
- a bucket hat instead of a cap
- sunglasses that match Mum or Dad
When kids feel proud of what they’re wearing, they’re usually far more excited to put them on.
Matching family styles can help too.
There’s something about:
' I match Dad!"
“I’ve got sunnies like Mum!”
that suddenly makes sun safety feel fun instead of frustrating.
Keep Hats & Sunglasses Everywhere
One of the biggest hidden parenting hacks? Stop relying on remembering one single hat or pair of sunglasses.
Busy families are juggling enough already. Try keeping sun protection in multiple places:
- the car
- the pram
- school bags
- sports bags
- beach bags
- near the front door
Having backup options ready to go makes everyday sun protection far easier and more consistent.
This is especially helpful for:
- school pickup
- after school sport
- playground stops
- beach afternoons
- camping trips
- weekend family adventures
The easier it is to grab, the more likely it actually gets used.
Lead By Example
Kids notice everything.
If they see parents regularly wearing sunglasses and hats outdoors, it quickly becomes part of normal family life. Children naturally copy routines they see consistently.
If sun protection becomes:
“what our family does outside”
instead of “something Mum keeps forcing”
There’s often much less pushback. This is especially important in Australia, where UV exposure stays high even outside summer months.
Simple everyday habits can make a huge difference over time.
Make Sun Safety Part of the Routine. Children thrive on routine and repetition.
Just like: brushing teeth, putting shoes on, buckling seatbelts.
Sun protection can simply become another normal part of leaving the house. No long explanations needed every single time.
Just:
“Hat and sunnies before we go outside.”
Over time, these small consistent habits become second nature. And honestly? Some days will still be easier than others.
That’s parenting.
Choose Durable Products Made for Real Family Life
Let’s be honest: kids are rough on everything! Sunglasses get:
- bent
- dropped
- sat on
- thrown across the playground
- lost in the bottom of bags
Which is why durable kids sunglasses matter.
Parents often tell us they’re tired of replacing cheap children’s sunglasses that snap after one outing.
Flexible, lightweight frames designed for active kids can make everyday life much easier - especially for busy families constantly on the go.
The same goes for hats. Washable, durable fabrics matter when hats are living in:
- school bags
- sandy beach bags
- sports gear
- prams
- muddy cars
Because sun protection needs to work for real life - not just look good in photos.
At the end of the day, getting kids to wear hats and sunglasses usually isn’t about forcing it - it’s about making it feel easy, comfortable and normal in everyday life. Start young, keep them close by in the car, pram or school bag, lead by example, let kids choose styles they love and don’t stress if it’s not perfect every time.
Some days they’ll wear them happily, other days they won’t and that’s okay. Building small sun safe habits over time is what really matters, and those little everyday moments can help create lifelong protection for Aussie kids growing up in the sun.
Don’t Stress About Perfection
Some days the hat stays on beautifully.
Other days it lasts 30 seconds.
That’s completely normal.
Building lifelong sun safe habits for kids isn’t about perfection - it’s about consistency over time. Small everyday moments really do add up.
And if we can help make sun protection feel easier, more comfortable and more stylish for Aussie families along the way, that’s exactly why Ombra and Sole was created.
Because creating healthy sun safety habits starts with making kids actually want to wear the protection in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t my toddler wear a hat?
Toddlers often resist hats because they feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable. Starting young, using soft comfortable hats and making sun protection part of everyday routine can help build positive habits over time.
At what age should kids start wearing sunglasses?
Children can begin wearing sunglasses from a very young age (from 6 months), especially in Australia where UV exposure is high. The earlier sunglasses become familiar, the easier they often are to wear consistently later on.
Our sunglasses are made for babies from 6 months old.
What type of hat is best for kids in Australia?
Wide brim and bucket hats with UPF50+ protection are ideal because they help shade the face, ears and neck from harsh Australian UV exposure.
However, our 5 panel caps have been made with a wider brim, and are designed to sit straight and wide across the face, covering more of the ear and face than your usual cap.
Do kids really need sunglasses?
Yes - children’s eyes are more sensitive to UV exposure than adults. Choosing kids UV400 polarised sunglasses can help protect little eyes during outdoor play, beach days, sport and everyday adventures.
What makes kids more likely to wear hats and sunglasses?
Comfort, routine, independence and consistency all play a big role. Lightweight materials, flexible frames, soft cotton lined hats and letting kids choose styles they love can make a huge difference.