Sun safety is one of the most important things to get right when your child is in or around water. And if you're already thinking about it, you're doing a great job. A legionnaire hat protects their head, neck and ears from harmful UV rays: areas that regular caps just can't cover. Pair one with UPF 50+ sun protection swimwear and a good sunscreen and you've got a solid foundation for happy, safe days in the sun.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Why Is Sun Safety So Important for Children?
Children's skin is much more sensitive to UV radiation than adult skin. It burns more quickly and more easily, which can be worrying when all you want is for them to enjoy being in the water. Studies cited by the British Association of Dermatologists suggest that roughly a quarter of our lifetime UV damage happens before the age of 20. That's a lot of exposure packed into those early years.
The good news? A few simple steps make a real difference. The NHS advises keeping babies under six months out of direct strong sunlight entirely. For older babies, toddlers and children, a combination of shade, protective clothing and sunscreen gives you plenty of ways to keep them safe.
Here's the tricky bit: you can't always feel UV rays doing their work. Around 80% of UVA rays pass through clouds. So even on a grey day at the pool or beach, your child's skin still needs looking after. Don't let that put you off getting out there, though. Once you've got the right gear and a simple routine, sun protection becomes second nature
What Are the Most Vulnerable Areas for Sun Damage on Kids?
The back of the neck, the tops of the ears and the scalp are some of the easiest spots to miss. They're also the areas most likely to burn during swimming and water play, because they're exposed and easy to forget when you're busy chasing a wriggly toddler with a bottle of sunscreen. We've all been there.
Think about it. When your child is splashing around, their head and neck sit above the water the whole time. Water reflects UV rays too, which increases exposure. And a standard baseball cap? It leaves the neck and ears wide open. That's exactly the gap a legionnaire hat fills.
Legionnaire hats have an extended flap at the back to shield the neck and sides of the head. They cover the ears. And a peaked front shades the face and eyes. It's a straightforward design that offers much more coverage than a regular sun hat: one less thing for you to worry about.
Are Legionnaire Hats Better Than Other Sun Hats for Swimming?
Legionnaire hats are one of the most effective hat styles for children around water. NHS sun safety guidance highlights legionnaire hats and bucket hats (those with a brim of at least 7.5 cm) as the most protective options. The legionnaire hat's key advantage is that extended neck flap: it covers the area most vulnerable to burning.
Not all legionnaire hats work well for swimming, though. A cotton one from the high street gets heavy and soggy, takes ages to dry and may not offer consistent UV protection once it's wet. NHS guidance notes that the UV blocking ability of clothing can reduce significantly when the fabric is saturated.
Our Legionnaire Hats are made from lightweight, quick drying nylon lycra with UPF 50+ protection that holds up even when the fabric is wet. They're elasticated so they fit snugly without slipping off during active play. Available in sizes from 1 to 6 years, they come in designs that match our swimwear ranges too. So your little one can look the part from poolside to sandpit.
What Is UPF 50+ and Why Does It Matter?
UPF is the fabric equivalent of SPF. It stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor and tells you how much UV radiation a material blocks. A UPF 50+ rating means the fabric lets only 1/50th of the sun's UV rays through, blocking over 98% of both UVA and UVB.
SPF, on the other hand, measures how long it takes for skin to redden with the product applied. UPF is arguably more reliable for children. It doesn't wash off. It doesn't need reapplying. And it doesn't depend on you slathering on the right amount (which most of us get wrong, let's be honest). That's reassuring when you've got a little one who won't sit still long enough for a second coat of sunscreen.
A UPF 50+ rating is widely classified as excellent protection. All of our sun protection products carry this rating: legionnaire hats, rash tops and UV Sun & Sea Wetsuits. The protection is built into the fabric itself. It won't fade after a swim or wear off halfway through a sandcastle session.
Is a Hat Enough or Do Kids Need More Sun Protection in Water?
A legionnaire hat is a great starting point, but it's not the whole picture. The NHS and British Association of Dermatologists both recommend combining clothing, shade and sunscreen for the best results. It might sound like a lot, but once you've got a routine it's quick and easy.
Here's what a practical approach looks like for a day at the pool or beach:
Cover up with UPF clothing. A rash top or UV Sun & Sea Wetsuit protects the torso, arms and legs. Add a legionnaire hat for head and neck coverage. That takes care of the majority of your child's skin with protection that won't wash off.
Apply sunscreen to exposed areas. Put sun cream on any skin not covered by clothing: the face, hands, feet and lower legs. Use at least SPF 30 with high UVA protection. Reapply every two hours and straight after swimming, even if the product claims to be water resistant.
Seek shade during peak hours. In the UK, the sun is strongest between 11 am and 3 pm from March to October. Take regular breaks under a parasol or shelter. This matters even more for babies and very young children.
Don't forget the eyes. Sunglasses that block close to 100% of UVA and UVB rays help protect your child's eyes. Look for a UKCA or CE mark as a minimum standard.
You don't need to get everything perfect every single time. Just doing your best to cover these basics means your child can enjoy the water with you, safely and confidently.
When Are UV Rays Strongest in the UK?
UV radiation in the UK is at its most intense between March and October. Lots of parents assume sun protection is only for holidays or heatwaves. It's not. You can burn on a mild, cloudy day in April just as easily as on a scorching afternoon in July.
The UV index is the best way to check daily risk. Anything above 3 means you should take precautions. Most weather apps and the Met Office website show the UV index for your area. A handy rule? If your shadow is the same height as you or shorter, the UV is high.
For outdoor swimming lessons, beach holidays and even garden paddling pool sessions, make sun protection part of the routine from spring right through to autumn. Build these habits early and your child grows up knowing how to look after their skin. That's a gift that lasts well beyond childhood.
How Do You Choose the Right Legionnaire Hat for Your Child?
The right hat is one that stays on, dries fast and actually protects. Here's what to look for:
UPF rating. Check it carries a UPF 50+ rating. This means excellent UV protection, even when wet.
Quick drying fabric. Cotton hats get heavy and uncomfortable in water. Go for lightweight, moisture wicking materials like nylon lycra that dry fast and stay comfortable all day.
Secure fit. Children don't sit still. A hat that slips off every five minutes isn't doing its job. Elasticated designs stay put during splashing, running and playing.
Coverage. Make sure it has a proper neck flap and peaked front. More skin covered means better protection.
Chlorine resistance. If your child wears the hat for swimming lessons, it needs to hold up against regular chlorine exposure without losing its shape or colour.
Our Legionnaire Hats tick every one of these. They're designed to coordinate with our swimwear ranges too, so you can mix and match for a complete sun safe outfit your little one will love wearing.
Keep Them Safe and Splashing
Sun safety doesn't need to be complicated. A good legionnaire hat, UPF 50+ swimwear and regular sunscreen go a long way towards keeping your child protected at swimming lessons, on holiday and during outdoor play. You're already looking out for them by reading this: now it's just about finding the right kit. Explore our full range of Legionnaire Hats to find the right fit for your child.
Lesley Beach
Splash About has been developing ground breaking swimming products for babies and children for over 20 years. With its invention of the first float jacket through to the award winning Happy Nappy range of products, Splash About is now a world class supplier to thousands of swim schools, leisure complexes and parents in over 45 countries.
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